• Version
• Download 12
• File Size 339.67 KB
• Create Date 1 January 1990
• Download

Body measurements, sex, weight, age, and reproductive condition were collected from 1,210 captures of wild and 492 captures of panhandler black bears (Ursus americanus) trapped in the Smoky Mountains (SM) from 1968 to 1988. Gender was associated with the bear's status (i.e., panhandler/wild) (panhandler: 60% male, wild: 54% male, P = 0.056). Wild male bears were significantly older than panhandler males (3.9 vs 2.9 yr, P = 0.0001); wild female bears were older than panhandler females (4.9 vs 3.7 yr, P = 0.004). Male and female panhandlers were significantly heavier than their wild counterparts (P < 0.05), and panhandler bears grew faster than wild bears. The number of lactating females was significantly associated with status (P < 0.001); 56% of the panhandler and only 33% of the wild females were lactating. Panhandlers were more fertile and larger than wild bears likely reflecting the panhandlers' better access to and use of high-energy, human foods particularly during years of natural food shortage. Small amounts of these foods, the availability of which varies with panhandler bear management, appear to make differences in body size. Dispersal and the large home range size of the males and subadults probably explain the propensity of these bears to become panhandlers. The above findings as well as differences in demographic characteristics among wild bears within the Smoky Mountains are further discussed as they relate to the nutritional qualities of the environment.