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1999.11--225-237.pdf | Download |
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We examined the distribution, individual diversity, and fishing activity of black bears (Ursus americanus) in relation to human activity on an Alaskan salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) stream to determine the impacts of wildlife viewing on bear foraging behavior. We logged 622 observation hours in 1994 and 1995 at 2 falls on Anan Creek, southeast Alaska. The lower falls was open to the public, whereas the upper falls was closed. We identified 14 adult males and 10 adult females at Anan Creek common to both years of the study. We observed 17 recognized bears 75-100% of the time at the upper falls; only 2 females fished solely at the lower falls. Five of 8 bears that fished exclusively at the upper falls (all large males) appeared wary of researchers upon their arrival. Based on quantile regression analyses, we found that visitor numbers acted as a ceiling on fishing duration of black bears at the lower falls of Anan Creek in 1994 and 1995. Furthermore, 2 habituated bears seen frequently at the lower falls spent less time in view (maximum values) as visitor group size increased. We found little relationship between visitor numbers and other indices of black bear activity and diversity at this site. Whereas the upper falls received more use by bears due to superior fishing opportunities and increased security, we suspect that some bears restricted their fishing to this site to avoid high human activity at the lower falls. Bears fishing at the lower falls were more tolerant of people; however, they exhibited sensitivity to larger group sizes as evidenced by shorter fishing bouts. These results are a conservative estimate of human impacts on bears as they reflect threshold levels of the most tolerant bears in a population.