We examined temporal and spatial activity of grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) and black bears (Ursus americanus) in 3 areas of coastal British Columbia to investigate (1) variation within and between the 2 species, and (2) the influence of human activity on bear activity. Bear detections at remote camera sites were used to measure activity. The Nimpkish Valley had black bears only, and high human use divided into periods with and without hunting. Black bears were active primarily during the day, whether there was hunting or not. In the Khutzeymateen Valley, grizzly bears were active primarily during the day, and black bears were nocturnal; there was no human use. Black bears likely avoided some areas because of the presence of grizzly bears. The Tweedsmuir study area had black bears and grizzly bears in areas of both low and high human use. Grizzly bears were detected more frequently than black bears in low and high human use areas. During periods when bears were fishing for salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.), lone adult grizzly bears and grizzly bear family groups were both detected less frequently and were more active during the night in the area of high human use than in the area of low human use. Subadult grizzly bears were detected more frequently in the area of high human use than in the area of low human use, and they tended to be more active during the day. Coastal grizzly bears were generally diurnal in areas of low human use. In areas of high human use, grizzly bears had different temporal and spatial activity patterns, and the magnitude and direction of these differences varied between age and sex classes. Black bears seemed to alter their temporal patterns of activity more in response to grizzly bear activity than to human activity.
- Volume 10
- Issue
- Pages 539-546
- Publication Date 1 January 1998
- DOI
- File Size 395.41 KB
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