Recovery Plans for Brown Bear Conservation in the Cantabrian Mountains, Spain
The conservation problems of brown bears (Ursus arctos) in the Cantabrian Mountains of Spain include illegal hunting and habitat loss. Recovery Plans recommend increasing the number of guards in key areas, declaring more Parks and Reserves, and evaluating environmental impacts. Even though their application is still minimal, Recovery Plans are to date the best technical […]
The Brown Bear in the Spanish Pyrenees: Present Status and Recommendations for Protection
The brown bear (Ursus arctos L.) from the western Pyrenees of Spain is a very endangered species, with only 2-3 individuals living in a 590 km2 area. These individuals are part of a small population in the south-western Pyrenees composed of approximately 10 animals in a 1,390 km2 area. Mainly adapted to a herbivorous diet, […]
Bear Conservation in Greece: A Planner’s Perspective
The most important remaining population of bear (Ursus arctos) in Greece is found in the Pindus range, in a vast area with extensive human activities and structures. The current condition of the bear’s habitat is a result of human history and traditional exploitation, but this situation is changing under the pressure of new development plans […]
Insights into the Economic Value of Grizzly Bears in the Yellowstone Recovery Zone
The grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) is listed as a threatened species in the lower 48 states by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Endangered Species Act. The purpose of that act is to provide for the conservation of both threatened and endangered species and the ecosystems upon which they depend. It is biological […]
Translocation of Nuisance Grizzly Bears in Northwestern Montana
We examined 7 variables from 103 translocations of nuisance grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) to (1) describe the type of bears involved in conflicts, (2) determine factors affecting translocation success, and (3) test the hypothesis that translocation is a feasible method to control mortality of grizzly bears. Males comprised 58% of all translocated bears. The median […]
Biopolitical Management of Mountain Lions, Tule Elk, and Black Bears in California
The hunting of mountain lions (Felis concolor), tule elk (Cervus elaphus nannodes), black bears (Ursus americanus), and other mammals has become controversial in California. Litigation by animal protection groups has resulted in several rulings regarding procedures used to adopt hunting regulations. The process has resulted in all hunting regulations being adopted pursuant to the California […]
Bear Management in Yellowstone National Park, 1960-93
From 1931 through 1959, an average of 48 people per year was injured by bears within Yellowstone National Park (YNP). In 1960, YNP implemented a bear management program designed to reduce the number of bear-caused human injuries and property damages occurring within YNP and to re-establish bears in a natural state. Although the 1960 program […]
Use of Landsat Multispectral Scanner Imagery and Geographic Information Systems to Map Vegetation in the North Cascades Grizzly Bear Ecosystem
Landsat multispectral scanner (MSS) imagery and a ground-based vegetative inventory were used to develop a map of vegetation for the North Cascades Grizzly Bear Ecosystem (NCGBE). An assessment of the interpreted data showed a 95% accuracy level for the general vegetation types and 92% for detailed vegetation types. Additional data layers were developed in a […]
Paternity Determination with DNA Fingerprinting in a Grizzly Bear Population
We extracted DNA from 120 grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) in an arctic population for paternity analysis using DNA fingerprinting. Preliminary results indicate that a combination of several probes and/or enzymes will be necessary to identify sires of offspring with known mothers. Development of genetic profiles will provide estimates of population genetics parameters such as […]
Politics, Forest Management, and Bears
Grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) recovery in the western states has been hampered by poor interagency cooperation, minimal attention to habitat protection, and continuing degradation of habitat on both private and public lands. Some positive actions, such as increased research and agency focus on mortality reduction, have taken place. I advocate the adoption of mandatory standards […]