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Observation of predatory infanticide by a solitary female brown bear
Camille Jodouin
Ursus 2026 (37e7), 1-5, (20 April 2026). https://doi.org/10.2192/URSUS-D-24-00002R1
KEYWORDS: Alberta, brown bear, cannibalism, infanticide, Kananaskis, observation, predation, predatory, Ursus arctos, yearling
The killing and consumption of young in ursids is usually carried out by unrelated males. Females also exhibit this behavior, but existing observations are limited to females with offspring. This report presents an observation of a solitary adult female brown bear (Ursus arctos), bear 175, killing and consuming a yearling in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada. The yearling, weaned by its mother, had followed bear 175 for several days before the incident. Following the infanticide, bear 175 consumed a large part of the carcass, including viscera, which are usually untouched by infanticidal females. I argue that bear 175’s unusual behavior may have been caused by the extended proximity of the yearling, which may have triggered a predatory attack. In addition to furthering our understanding of infanticide and cannibalism in ursids, this observation raises the question of whether some past infanticides were committed by solitary females misidentified as adult males.
Underground archives: Exploring bear traces in Greek caves
Georgios Lazaridis, Despoina Dora, Aikaterini Matakidou, Konstantinos-Prokopios Trimmis
Ursus 2026 (37e8), 1-9, (9 June 2026). https://doi.org/10.2192/URSUS-D-25-00011R1
KEYWORDS: bear marks, cave bear activity, denning pits, Greek caves, hibernation, ichnology, polished surfaces, trace fossils, Ursus arctos, Ursus ingressus
Bear marks in caves provide invaluable insights into the behavior, ecology, and environmental interactions of both modern and extinct bear species. This study examines bear traces in Greek caves, including claw scratches, polished surfaces, and denning pits, attributed primarily to the brown bear (Ursus arctos). Over 24 years of cave exploration, such traces were identified in fewer than 0.5% of surveyed caves (n ≥ 1,200), highlighting their rarity and ecological significance. Comparative analysis with analogue sites across Europe underscores consistent patterns in territorial and grooming behaviors. Territorial behavior refers to marking space with claw marks and scent, while grooming behavior involves rubbing against surfaces to maintain fur condition. However, the presence of polished surfaces raises questions about possible anthropogenic origin. These findings contribute to ichnological research by documenting bear activity in Greece. Although some traces may be modern and thus primarily ethological in value, others may represent older episodes of cave use with paleoenvironmental relevance. Challenges in dating and taxonomic attribution emphasize the need for interdisciplinary approaches to better interpret these marks as proxies for past ecological and climatic conditions.