Landscape assessment of habitat suitability and connectivity for Andean bears in the Bolivian Tropical Andes
The survival of large and mobile species in the face of habitat loss and fragmentation depends on several factors, including the landscape configuration of subpopulations and the dispersal capabilities of the species. We performed a landscape analysis of the Bolivian Tropical Andes to determine whether remaining habitat patches were suitable in terms of ecological characteristics […]
Genetic evidence confirms presence of Andean bears in Argentina
The Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus) is found throughout the Andes Mountains from Venezuela to Bolivia. However, little is known about its distribution and range in southern areas, including Argentina. Our objective was to develop a genetic marker to identify this species by analysis of non-invasive samples (i.e., hair or feces). We designed a primer pair […]
A synthesis of giant panda habitat selection
The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is a global conservation icon, but its habitat selection patterns are poorly understood. We synthesized previous studies on giant panda habitat selection. We confirmed that pandas generally selected forests with moderate to high bamboo densities, mid-elevations, both primary and secondary forests, and areas more distant from human activities. Pandas did […]
Selective foraging on bromeliads by Andean bears in the Ecuadorian páramo
The Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus), the only extant ursid in South America, lives in páramo and montane forest ecosystems and is classified as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List (Goldstein et al. 2008). In Podocarpus National Park in southern Ecuador, Andean bears exhibit patchy foraging behavior on Puya eryngioides, a […]
Movement patterns and space use of maternal grizzly bears influence cub survival in Interior Alaska
Foraging decisions and movement strategies by animals often involve a trade-off between meeting nutritional demands and minimizing risk of predation. We evaluated the influence of space use and movement patterns of maternal female grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) on cub (defined as first year of life) survival in eastern Interior Alaska, USA, during 2008-2012. We monitored […]
Identifying regions for conservation of sloth bears through occupancy modelling in north-eastern Karnataka, India
In the absence of information on species in decline with contracting ranges, management should emphasize remaining populations and protection of their habitats. Threatened by anthropogenic pressure including habitat degradation and loss, sloth bears (Melursus ursinus) in India have become limited in range, habitat, and population size. We identified ecological and anthropogenic determinants of occurrence within […]
Relationships among food availability, harvest, and human-bear conflict at landscape scales in Ontario, Canada
Managers of American black bears (Ursus americanus) must maintain populations to ensure viability and opportunities for sport harvest, and minimize human-bear conflict (HBC). Harvest is a cost-effective management tool in most jurisdictions, and intuitively it seems that with fewer bears, there should be fewer conflicts. Therefore, managers may attempt to achieve both objectives by manipulating […]
Using stable isotopes to understand the feeding ecology of the Hokkaido brown bear (Ursus arctos) in Japan
Interactions between brown bears (Ursus arctos) and anadromous salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) constitute a unique energy pathway that facilitates nutrient cycling between marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Previous studies have documented variation in salmon consumption by brown bears; however, few have addressed potential anthropogenic factors influencing consumption. We assessed diet of brown bears on Hokkaido Island, Japan, […]
DNA extraction protocols for molecular studies of Asiatic black bears
Optimization of DNA extraction and amplification techniques increases the reliability of genetic studies used to estimate population size and assess genetic diversity, particularly for non-invasively collected samples. We evaluated the effectiveness of 4 DNA extraction procedures-the Roboscreen and Qiagen kit methods and the Organic and Chelex methods, as applied to invasively and non-invasively collected samples […]
A universal primer set to amplify the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene in bears
Barcoding DNA is an accepted tool in taxonomic identification. We report the design of a universal primer pair for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI) developed using COI gene sequences of all 8 extant bear species (family Ursidae) available on GenBank. This primer pair successfully amplified approximately […]
