Movement and activity of reintroduced giant pandas
Wild populations of giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) have steadily increased in the past 2 decades, but the species’ distribution remains highly fragmented. Since 2009, an introduction program has worked to rescue the giant panda population of Liziping National Nature Reserve in southwestern Sichuan Province, China. Using Global Positioning System and activity collar data collected between […]
Demographics of American black bear populations following changes in harvest policy
Harvest can affect the size and composition of wildlife populations. American black bear (Ursus americanus) populations in the Central Interior Highlands, Arkansas, USA, were nearly extirpated as a result of harvest and habitat change, but have expanded geographically and demographically since reintroduction in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Harvest levels have increased since baiting […]
Population genetics of American black bears in Georgia, USA
There are 3 American black bear (Ursus americanas) populations in the state of Georgia, USA. We used multi-locus microsatellite genotypes derived from bear hair and tissue samples collected across these populations to assess levels of genetic diversity within and between populations. We used population assignment clustering to evaluate whether there has been recent immigration into […]
Early genetic outcomes of American black bear reintroductions in the Central Appalachians, USA
Habitat loss and overexploitation extirpated American black bears (Ursus americanus) from most of the Central Appalachians, USA, by the early 20th Century. To attempt to restore bears to the southwestern portion of this region, 2 reintroductions that used small founder groups (n = 27 and 55 bears), but different release methods (hard vs. soft), were […]
Influence of maternal body size, condition, and age on recruitment of four brown bear populations
Recruitment of brown bear (Ursus arctos) offspring into a population is the product of initial cub production and subsequent survival and is a critical component of overall population status and trend. We investigated the relationship between maternal body size, body condition, and age (as a surrogate for gained experience) and recruitment of dependent offspring (≥1 […]
Testicular activity and epididymal sperm collection from American black bears in November
Prolonged reproductive behavior of American black bears (Ursus americanus) has been reported in the southeastern United States compared with other regions, but functional spermatogenesis or potential fertility has not previously been described for these bears. Additionally, methods for gamete collection are only in early stages of development for ursids. Testicles were collected from 29 post-pubertal […]
Characterization of a brown bear aggregation during the hyperphagia period in the Cantabrian Mountains, NW Spain
We characterized a brown bear (Ursus arctos) feeding aggregation that occurred in an oak (Quercus spp.) forest in the Cantabrian Mountains (NW Spain), during the hyperphagia period 2017 (Sep to Dec), which was an atypical year in terms of low fructification success due to late frost events and drought. We described (1) number, sex, and […]
demetR: a Bayesian population simulation web-application for harvest management
Management of large carnivore populations represents an important challenge in conservation, requiring balancing their cultural, economic, and ecological value with potential risks of human-wildlife conflicts. Harvest can provide an effective tool for managing populations, but it can be difficult to define appropriate harvest quotas or assess the consequences of other conservation measures. We introduce the […]
Field air analysis of volatile compounds from free-ranging giant pandas
Giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) use chemical cues to determine identity, gender, and sexual receptivity of conspecifics. We hypothesized that volatile chemical profiles of free-ranging giant pandas are detectable in air. Therefore, we aimed to identify volatile compounds produced by free-ranging giant pandas residing in the Wolong Nature Reserve (Sichuan, China) through field air analysis/solid phase […]
Rapid species identification of sloth bears from non-invasive samples: a PCR-based assay
Once common throughout the Indian subcontinent, the sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) is restricted to certain areas and is classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Habitat loss and fragmentation is the primary reason for population decline, but there is a dearth of information about the effects of fragmentation on connectivity and […]
