Testing the use of remote cameras to index body condition in brown and black bears
Body condition of large mammals is a highly labile parameter that is influenced by recent nutrition, the seasonal hormonal cycle, intrinsic traits such as age and reproductive status, and extrinsic stress factors such as predation risk, social dominance, or human disturbance. Body condition thus integrates many population- and individual-level factors into a single measure of […]
Edible ant availability and distribution as resources for the Asiatic black bear
The Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) is a generalist omnivore consuming a wide range of food items, including ants (family Formicidae) and other social insects during summer. The distribution of ant resources is thought to influence habitat selection by Asiatic black bear. We investigated the distribution of ant resources during summer in bear habitat in […]
Noninvasive genetic assessment of sloth bear diversity and population structure in Nepal
The genetic diversity of wildlife populations is crucial in maintaining their fitness and resilience to environmental changes and disease. Despite their rarity, ecological importance, and being an endangered species of public concern, information on sloth bears (Melursus ursinus) from Nepal is limited, and they are yet to receive conservation priority. To address this gap, we […]