Current status of brown bears in the Manasalu Conservation Area, Nepal
Although brown bears (Ursus arctos) are rare in the Himalayan region, populations have been documented in alpine habitats of Pakistan and India. Brown bears were once known to exist in both Nepal and Bhutan, but current information on their numbers and distributions was lacking. We document the presence of brown bears in the Manasalu Conservation […]
Evidence for improved connectivity between Cantabrian brown bear subpopulations
The brown bear (Ursus ar tos) population in the Cantabrian Mountains of northwest Spain is among the most endangered bear populations worldwide. It is divided into 2 isolated and genetically differentiated subpopulations. We present evidence of recent male migration between the subpopulations based on genetic identification of hair and scats samples gathered between 2004 and […]
Brown bear distribution and status in the South Caucasus
I summarize data on the brown bear (Ursus arctos) in the South Caucasus, which includes Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. The most current information is from Georgia, where research has been carried out on the species. I determined the present distribution of brown bears in the South Caucasus based on extensive fieldwork, literature, and satellite maps. […]
Home ranges of Asiatic black bears in the Central Mountains of Taiwan: Gauging whether a reserve is big enough
Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) are threatened by habitat loss and poaching, especially in the tropical portions of their range; reserves serve a crucial role in conserving this species. Yet data on spatial and habitat requirements for this species in tropical areas, necessary for assessing the efficacy of reserves, is virtually nonexistent. We used mainly […]
Features of planted cypress trees vulnerable to damage by Japanese black bears
The Japanese black bear (Ursus thibetanus japonicus) causes serious and persistent damage to conifer plantations in some areas of Japan. From 2006-08, we examined bear damage and tree characteristics (diameter at breast height [DBH], width of growth rings, and amount and nutritional content of newly-developing vascular tissues) in 7 even-aged stands of Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis […]
American black bear habitat selection in northern Lower Peninsula, Michigan, USA, using discrete-choice modeling
Since 1990, increases in American black bear (Ursus americanus) population and distribution in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, USA, have led to positive trends in black bear harvests, sightings, and nuisance reports. Policy makers and wildlife managers can prepare for the difficult task of managing future bear-human interactions by using resource selection models to assess […]
Spatial and temporal use of roads by grizzly bears in westcentral Alberta
Resource extraction activities in Alberta, Canada, have produced a large increase in the number of roads in grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) habitat. High road densities have been associated with high grizzly bear mortality rates in some areas. We used GPS data from grizzly bears in west-central Alberta, Canada, 1999-2005 to examine (1) frequencies at which […]
American black bear nuisance complaints and hunter take
Regulated hunts of carnivores are believed to prevent property damage and other conflicts with people. Few studies have tested if public hunting reduces subsequent complaints about carnivores. We analyzed 10 years of data on nuisance complaints from a hunted American black bear (Ursus americanus) population in Wisconsin, USA. At the statewide scale, complaints about agricultural […]
Mating-related movements of male brown bears on the periphery of an expanding population
Use of habitat and resources of large carnivores living at the expansion front of a population can differ considerably from those living in core areas. Using GPS (global positioning system) telemetry, we studied movements of male brown bears living in the northwest edge of the Alpine-Dinaric-Pindos population in Slovenia and Italy, 2005-08. Because there was […]
Effects of habitat and hunting framework on American black bear harvest structure in Wisconsin
Sex and age composition of harvested individuals often is used to estimate population parameters and inform management decisions. However, factors other than sex and age structure of the harvested population may affect composition of the harvest and complicate the interpretation of harvest data. For example, class-specific behavior could predispose certain age and sex classes to […]