The spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus) is one of the most threatened large mammals in Latin America. Using camera traps from 2021 to 2022, we sought to investigate the status of the species in the Serranía de San Lucas (San Lucas), an isolated and unprotected mountain range in northern Colombia. We calculated a relative abundance index of spectacled bears, evaluated spatial overlap between their distribution and gold mining, and estimated deforestation in San Lucas. During 2,749 trap-nights, we recorded 24 detections of spectacled bears at an average elevation of 1,070 m ± 307 standard deviation. Detections were recorded from 8 of the 30 camera-trap locations, corresponding to ≥4 individual adult bears, including 2 females with cubs. Gold mining concessions overlap approximately 21% of the species' range in San Lucas, which experienced a 13.4% decrease in forest cover between 2001 and 2021. Gold extraction poses significant challenges for spectacled bear conservation in northern Colombia.
- Volume 35
- Issue 8
- Pages 1-8
- Publication Date 15 April 2024
- DOI 10.2192/ursus-d-23-00021.1
- File Size 838.23 KB
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