We examined the effects of capture and handling on fishing activity of black bears (Ursus americanus) at Anan Creek in Southeast Alaska. The bears had no previous experience with capture procedures. One female brown bear, 9 male black bears, and 4 female black bears were captured (trapped or darted), collared, and ear-tagged by Alaska Department of Fish and Game personnel between 24 July and 1 August 1993. Observational data on bear behavior were collected before and after capture procedures from 16 July-4 September 1993 (296 observation hours) and from 3 July-27 August 1994 (258 observation hours). We observed a significant decline in the number of different individuals on the river following the week of capture and handling in 1993. In addition, approximately 46% of the collared bears were not seen again at Anan Creek throughout the remainder of the 1993 season. This percent declined to <30% by 16 August 1993. The next year, when no bears were captured and handled, these patterns were not observed. Furthermore, we found little evidence to suggest that bears abandoned Anan Creek immediately following capture and handling because of other ecological factors (i.e., brown bear activity [Ursus arctos], pink salmon [Oncorhynchus gorbuscha] inaccessibility, berry availability and productivity). Although many black bears at Anan Creek tolerated recreational viewing by humans, disappearance of bears from the capture site suggests that they were displaced by capture and handling activities.
- Volume 10
- Issue
- Pages 563-569
- Publication Date 1 January 1998
- DOI
- File Size 298.74 KB
- Download