Dietary breadth of grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
Grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) are opportunistic omnivores that eat a great diversity of plant and animal species. Changes in climate may affect regional vegetation, hydrology, insects, and fire regimes, likely influencing the abundance, range, and elevational distribution of the plants and animals consumed by GYE grizzly bears. Determining the […]
Distribution of American black bear occurrences and human-bear incidents in Missouri
American black bears (Ursus americanus) were nearly extirpated from Missouri (USA) by the early 1900s and began re-colonizing apparent suitable habitat in southern Missouri following reintroduction efforts in Arkansas (USA) during the 1960s. We used anecdotal occurrence data from 1989 to 2010 and forest cover to describe broad patterns of black bear re-colonization, human-bear incidents, […]
Brown bear activity in traditional wood-pastures in Southern Transylvania, Romania
During the past century, habitat fragmentation and increased human impacts have reduced populations of large carnivores throughout the world. Although bears have been extirpated from human-dominated landscape in most parts of Europe, they still occur in multi-use cultural landscapes in Southern Transylvania, Romania. Wood-pastures-grazed permanent grasslands with scattered or clumped trees and shrubs-are important elements […]
Population genetic parameters of brown bears in western Serbia: implications for research and conservation
The Alps-Dinaric-Pindos (ADP) bear population is considered to be one of the largest populations remaining in Europe. Despite its international importance for large-scale bear conservation, detailed and accurate information about the genetic and conservation status of some of its sub-populations is lacking. Serbia is located in the geographic center of the ADP bear population, and […]
Geographic distribution of American black bears in North America
American black bears (Ursus americanus) historically inhabited every province and territory in Canada, all continental states in the United States (U.S.), and northern states of Mexico. We used BearsWhere?, an Internet mapping tool, to survey bear biologists in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. and estimate the current range of black bears using 4 categories: primary […]
Use of stable isotope analysis to identify food-conditioned grizzly bears on Alaska’s North Slope
Managers often must decide whether to use non-lethal intervention (e.g., hazing or relocation) or lethal removal for resolving bear-human conflicts. Bears with a history of anthropogenic food use are less likely to respond favorably to non-lethal intervention. Stable isotope analysis can be a useful tool to determine a bear’s history of anthropogenic food use. We […]
Brown bears and wolves scavenge humpback whale carcass in Alaska
Brown bears (Ursus arctos) are generally solitary animals, although they are known to aggregate at concentrated food resources. Using remote cameras, we documented brown bears aggregating while scavenging a whale carcass from 19 May to 17 September 2010 in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska, USA. Such aggregations have not been reported in Glacier Bay, a […]
Preliminary brown bear survey in southeastern Albania
The political isolation during the communist regime and the economic crisis that followed its downfall adversely affected the conservation of brown bears (Ursus arctos) in Albania. In 2008-2009 we conducted questionnaires and field surveys in southeastern Albania to determine the presence of bears and evaluate bear-human interactions, and on-site inspections to record the status of […]