Pub Date : 2021-03-02DOI: 10.2192/URSUS-D-19-00011.1
Yaduraj Khadpekar, John P. Whiteman, B. Durrant, M. Owen, Sant Prakash
Abstract: The sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) is one of the least studied bears. Important aspects of sloth bear biology and ecology, such as reproductive physiology and behavior, are largely unknown. Increased scent-marking by anogenital rubbing during breeding season has been recorded in other bear species. We studied the genital rubbing behavior of 37 captive female sloth bears (2–18 yr of age) at the Agra Bear Rescue Facility, India, for 4 breeding seasons over a period of 3.5 years (1 Jun 2015 to 31 Dec 2018). Data on changes in vulva visibility and presence of genital rubbing behavior were collected daily during the breeding period and twice per week for rest of the year, throughout the study period. Vulva visibility was scored as 0 (not visible), 1 (slightly visible), and 2 (fully visible), and a female was considered to be in estrus if the vulva was slightly or fully visible. Presence of genital rubbing was recorded as 1 and its absence as 0. Occurrence of genital rubbing coincided with estrus, as defined by vulva visibility scores. Statistical analysis indicated that female age and the number of males with physical proximity (i.e., in the same enclosure) were significantly correlated with the occurrence of genital rubbing behavior. The number of females in physical proximity and the number of females in the vicinity without physical proximity (i.e., not in the same enclosure but sharing a fence) did not significantly affect this behavior. The results of our study suggest that the genital rubbing behavior by female sloth bears in estrus is likely a form of scent-marking, serving a communicative function, and could be influenced by male presence. This behavior may be a key factor in attracting a mate during the breeding season in the wild.
{"title":"Scent-marking behavior by female sloth bears during estrus","authors":"Yaduraj Khadpekar, John P. Whiteman, B. Durrant, M. Owen, Sant Prakash","doi":"10.2192/URSUS-D-19-00011.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2192/URSUS-D-19-00011.1","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract: The sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) is one of the least studied bears. Important aspects of sloth bear biology and ecology, such as reproductive physiology and behavior, are largely unknown. Increased scent-marking by anogenital rubbing during breeding season has been recorded in other bear species. We studied the genital rubbing behavior of 37 captive female sloth bears (2–18 yr of age) at the Agra Bear Rescue Facility, India, for 4 breeding seasons over a period of 3.5 years (1 Jun 2015 to 31 Dec 2018). Data on changes in vulva visibility and presence of genital rubbing behavior were collected daily during the breeding period and twice per week for rest of the year, throughout the study period. Vulva visibility was scored as 0 (not visible), 1 (slightly visible), and 2 (fully visible), and a female was considered to be in estrus if the vulva was slightly or fully visible. Presence of genital rubbing was recorded as 1 and its absence as 0. Occurrence of genital rubbing coincided with estrus, as defined by vulva visibility scores. Statistical analysis indicated that female age and the number of males with physical proximity (i.e., in the same enclosure) were significantly correlated with the occurrence of genital rubbing behavior. The number of females in physical proximity and the number of females in the vicinity without physical proximity (i.e., not in the same enclosure but sharing a fence) did not significantly affect this behavior. The results of our study suggest that the genital rubbing behavior by female sloth bears in estrus is likely a form of scent-marking, serving a communicative function, and could be influenced by male presence. This behavior may be a key factor in attracting a mate during the breeding season in the wild.","PeriodicalId":49393,"journal":{"name":"Ursus","volume":"32 1","pages":"1 - 9"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2021-03-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83731053","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-03-02DOI: 10.2192/URSUS-D-19.00018.1
Miriam N. Kunde, B. Goossens
Abstract: Sun bears (Helarctos malayanus) are opportunistic omnivores that feed predominantly on fruits and invertebrates, but predatory behavior by sun bears is rarely recorded. Although commonly described as a forest-dependent species, the sun bear is a generalist and seems to have some potential to adapt to changing environments. Here we report the first record of a sun bear predating on oriental pied hornbills (Anthracoceros albirostris) in their nest in the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, during spring of 2019. It is a human-disturbed landscape surrounded by oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) plantations, with the remaining degraded forest providing a wildlife corridor for Borneo's wildlife. The sun bears photographed by camera traps along the wildlife corridor, including the predatory bear, appeared to be in good condition, therefore evidently finding sufficient food resources. Their opportunistic feeding behavior, not necessarily food shortage, may allow them to take vulnerable prey, such as this low-nesting hornbill.
{"title":"Sun bear predation on an oriental pied hornbill nest","authors":"Miriam N. Kunde, B. Goossens","doi":"10.2192/URSUS-D-19.00018.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2192/URSUS-D-19.00018.1","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract: Sun bears (Helarctos malayanus) are opportunistic omnivores that feed predominantly on fruits and invertebrates, but predatory behavior by sun bears is rarely recorded. Although commonly described as a forest-dependent species, the sun bear is a generalist and seems to have some potential to adapt to changing environments. Here we report the first record of a sun bear predating on oriental pied hornbills (Anthracoceros albirostris) in their nest in the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, during spring of 2019. It is a human-disturbed landscape surrounded by oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) plantations, with the remaining degraded forest providing a wildlife corridor for Borneo's wildlife. The sun bears photographed by camera traps along the wildlife corridor, including the predatory bear, appeared to be in good condition, therefore evidently finding sufficient food resources. Their opportunistic feeding behavior, not necessarily food shortage, may allow them to take vulnerable prey, such as this low-nesting hornbill.","PeriodicalId":49393,"journal":{"name":"Ursus","volume":"19 1","pages":"1 - 4"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2021-03-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78911594","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-02-05DOI: 10.2192/URSUS-D-19-00023.3
Joana Pereira, Leona Viličić, L. M. Rosalino, S. Reljić, Marina Habazin, Đ. Huber
Abstract: The diet of free-ranging bears is an important dimension regarding their ecology, affecting their behavior, population structure, and relation with humans. In Croatia, there has been no recent study on the natural food habits of brown bears (Ursus arctos) or the influence of artificial feeding sites on their diet. During 2017, we collected 53 brown bear stomachs from bears in 2 regions of Croatia—Gorski Kotar and Lika—to assess their diet. Plants—Allium ursinum, the Poaceae family, Cornus mas, berries (i.e., Prunus avium, Rubus plicatus), beechnuts (Fagus spp.)—and various plant parts (i.e., dry leaves, buds, conifer needles, and twigs), as well as mushrooms, made up 80% of the percentage of the volume (%V) of all consumed items. Corn (Zea mays) from the feeding sites made up 37% of the bears' diet (%V), whereas 20% (%V) was meat and 14% (%V) was pome fruits. Scavenged or preyed animal species, such as wild boar (Sus scrofa), horse (Equus caballus), domestic pig (S. scrofa domesticus), cattle (Bos taurus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), and small mammals comprised >66% of %FO (frequency of occurrence), but only 20% of %V. Our results showed that food resources (i.e., livestock such as horses, cattle, and pigs, and corn) found at supplemental feeding sites were more frequently chosen by bears than natural food in 2017, a year characterized by almost no beechnut crop. The results showed that subadult bears obtained most food from feeding sites. These 2 patterns suggested that bears may focus on artificial feeding sites to find food in years when natural food sources are depleted, although this should be tested using diet and food availability data collected from several years.
{"title":"Brown bear feeding habits in a poor mast year where supplemental feeding occurs","authors":"Joana Pereira, Leona Viličić, L. M. Rosalino, S. Reljić, Marina Habazin, Đ. Huber","doi":"10.2192/URSUS-D-19-00023.3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2192/URSUS-D-19-00023.3","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract: The diet of free-ranging bears is an important dimension regarding their ecology, affecting their behavior, population structure, and relation with humans. In Croatia, there has been no recent study on the natural food habits of brown bears (Ursus arctos) or the influence of artificial feeding sites on their diet. During 2017, we collected 53 brown bear stomachs from bears in 2 regions of Croatia—Gorski Kotar and Lika—to assess their diet. Plants—Allium ursinum, the Poaceae family, Cornus mas, berries (i.e., Prunus avium, Rubus plicatus), beechnuts (Fagus spp.)—and various plant parts (i.e., dry leaves, buds, conifer needles, and twigs), as well as mushrooms, made up 80% of the percentage of the volume (%V) of all consumed items. Corn (Zea mays) from the feeding sites made up 37% of the bears' diet (%V), whereas 20% (%V) was meat and 14% (%V) was pome fruits. Scavenged or preyed animal species, such as wild boar (Sus scrofa), horse (Equus caballus), domestic pig (S. scrofa domesticus), cattle (Bos taurus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), and small mammals comprised >66% of %FO (frequency of occurrence), but only 20% of %V. Our results showed that food resources (i.e., livestock such as horses, cattle, and pigs, and corn) found at supplemental feeding sites were more frequently chosen by bears than natural food in 2017, a year characterized by almost no beechnut crop. The results showed that subadult bears obtained most food from feeding sites. These 2 patterns suggested that bears may focus on artificial feeding sites to find food in years when natural food sources are depleted, although this should be tested using diet and food availability data collected from several years.","PeriodicalId":49393,"journal":{"name":"Ursus","volume":"46 1","pages":"1 - 13"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2021-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79847469","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-01-12DOI: 10.2192/URSUS-D-19-00017.1
Katherine C. Malpeli, J. Kolowski, Jaime L. Sajecki
Abstract: American black bear (Ursus americanus; hereafter, black bear) populations in Virginia, USA, have been recovering from near extirpation for the past century. The expansion of both human and bear populations has coincided with an increase in human–black bear interactions. Mitigating human–black bear problems is a management priority of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Although the number of reported interactions has increased, no formal analysis of the spatial distribution of these interactions has been completed for Virginia. To address this gap, we assessed the role of ecological and anthropogenic variables in explaining the spatial distribution of human–black bear interactions in Virginia, at both county- and individual interaction point-scales, from 2008 to 2015. The results of these analyses indicate that landscape features representing the interface of potentially suitable black bear habitat and human development combine to increase risk of human–black bear interactions. Point locations with the highest probability of a black bear interaction had intermediate housing densities (300–600 houses/km2) and forest covered a large percentage of the surrounding landscape. At the county scale, interactions were predicted to be above average when the county exceeded roughly 67.7% forest, 27.2% agricultural cover, and 10.3% developed land. These results, combined with our generated high-resolution map of predicted relative risk, can be used to help target the strategic implementation of management actions aimed at reducing negative human–black bear interactions in Virginia, as well as throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.
{"title":"The spatial distribution of American black bear–human interactions in Virginia, USA","authors":"Katherine C. Malpeli, J. Kolowski, Jaime L. Sajecki","doi":"10.2192/URSUS-D-19-00017.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2192/URSUS-D-19-00017.1","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract: American black bear (Ursus americanus; hereafter, black bear) populations in Virginia, USA, have been recovering from near extirpation for the past century. The expansion of both human and bear populations has coincided with an increase in human–black bear interactions. Mitigating human–black bear problems is a management priority of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Although the number of reported interactions has increased, no formal analysis of the spatial distribution of these interactions has been completed for Virginia. To address this gap, we assessed the role of ecological and anthropogenic variables in explaining the spatial distribution of human–black bear interactions in Virginia, at both county- and individual interaction point-scales, from 2008 to 2015. The results of these analyses indicate that landscape features representing the interface of potentially suitable black bear habitat and human development combine to increase risk of human–black bear interactions. Point locations with the highest probability of a black bear interaction had intermediate housing densities (300–600 houses/km2) and forest covered a large percentage of the surrounding landscape. At the county scale, interactions were predicted to be above average when the county exceeded roughly 67.7% forest, 27.2% agricultural cover, and 10.3% developed land. These results, combined with our generated high-resolution map of predicted relative risk, can be used to help target the strategic implementation of management actions aimed at reducing negative human–black bear interactions in Virginia, as well as throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.","PeriodicalId":49393,"journal":{"name":"Ursus","volume":"1 1","pages":"1 - 15"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2021-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78984106","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-01-11DOI: 10.2192/URSUS-D-19-00027.1
V. Penteriani, Wong Siew Te, Chiew Lin May, Seng Yen Wah, B. Crudge, N. Broadis, G. Bombieri, E. Valderrábano, L. Russo, María del Mar Delgado
Abstract: Animal coloration is widely involved in a variety of social interactions, and mammals can convey information to conspecifics by visual signals, such as colored or contrasting body marks. The sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) has a vibrant and unusual chest mark. Here, we describe the characteristics of sun bear chest marks and their patterns of individual variation by (1) sex, (2) time, and (3) some biochemistry values related to fur pigmentation. Sun bear pictures were taken from 2009 to 2018 at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre and Free the Bears sanctuary. We hypothesize that chest marks may serve in conspecific communication and, thus, we mainly expect that (a) these marks allow for sexual recognition and, thus, they should show remarkable differences by sex; (b) marks do not change over time because their consistency allows for easier intraspecific recognition; and (c) patterns of variation may be dependent on the age and/or physical condition of an individual. The most common shapes of sun bear chest marks (n = 63 M and 108 F) were U (M = 60.3%, F = 57.4%) and V (M = 31.8%, F = 32.4%) shapes. We did not detect differences in shape patterns by sex and, over the years, chest mark shape never changed for the same bear (n = 49 individuals, 16 M and 33 F). The number of dark dots in chest marks showed large amounts of individual variation (mean ± SD = 37.7 ± 26.8 dots; range = 1–143), and the quantity of dark dots increased with bear age. The complexity of sun bear chest marks might be related to the existence of complex interactions among individuals of the same species, which may allow for recognition and evaluation of their individual characteristics, such as age and health. Experimental approaches are needed to understand the potential functions of sun bear chest marks.
{"title":"Characteristics of sun bear chest marks and their patterns of individual variation","authors":"V. Penteriani, Wong Siew Te, Chiew Lin May, Seng Yen Wah, B. Crudge, N. Broadis, G. Bombieri, E. Valderrábano, L. Russo, María del Mar Delgado","doi":"10.2192/URSUS-D-19-00027.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2192/URSUS-D-19-00027.1","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract: Animal coloration is widely involved in a variety of social interactions, and mammals can convey information to conspecifics by visual signals, such as colored or contrasting body marks. The sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) has a vibrant and unusual chest mark. Here, we describe the characteristics of sun bear chest marks and their patterns of individual variation by (1) sex, (2) time, and (3) some biochemistry values related to fur pigmentation. Sun bear pictures were taken from 2009 to 2018 at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre and Free the Bears sanctuary. We hypothesize that chest marks may serve in conspecific communication and, thus, we mainly expect that (a) these marks allow for sexual recognition and, thus, they should show remarkable differences by sex; (b) marks do not change over time because their consistency allows for easier intraspecific recognition; and (c) patterns of variation may be dependent on the age and/or physical condition of an individual. The most common shapes of sun bear chest marks (n = 63 M and 108 F) were U (M = 60.3%, F = 57.4%) and V (M = 31.8%, F = 32.4%) shapes. We did not detect differences in shape patterns by sex and, over the years, chest mark shape never changed for the same bear (n = 49 individuals, 16 M and 33 F). The number of dark dots in chest marks showed large amounts of individual variation (mean ± SD = 37.7 ± 26.8 dots; range = 1–143), and the quantity of dark dots increased with bear age. The complexity of sun bear chest marks might be related to the existence of complex interactions among individuals of the same species, which may allow for recognition and evaluation of their individual characteristics, such as age and health. Experimental approaches are needed to understand the potential functions of sun bear chest marks.","PeriodicalId":49393,"journal":{"name":"Ursus","volume":"19 1","pages":"1 - 8"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2021-01-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"91158193","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-12-16DOI: 10.2192/URSUS-D-19-00005.2
Kristin M. Rine, Anne Braaten, Jack G. Oelfke, J. Ransom
Abstract: The North Cascades ecosystem of north-central Washington State (USA) and southern British Columbia, Canada, has been identified as 1 of 6 recovery zones for grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) that were at one time distributed across a nearly continuous range of western North America. The current small number of grizzly bears, along with an apparent scarcity of historical observations, obfuscates the extent to which the mountain range and its surrounding lowlands previously supported grizzly bears. We reviewed and synthesized what is currently known about the historical distribution of grizzly bears in and around the North Cascades to better inform possible future restoration actions. Archeological, ethnographic, and incidental evidence confirm the prehistoric and historic presence of grizzly bears in the ecosystem and surrounding lowlands. Successful implementation of grizzly bear restoration and management in the North Cascades is dependent in part on the perception that they are an integral component of the ecosystem's historical benchmark. Education and outreach efforts that focus on the influence of human perceptions and correcting misinformation about the history of bears in the ecosystem and their interactions with humans may improve long-term restoration success in the North Cascades.
{"title":"Evidence for historical grizzly bear occurrence in the North Cascades, USA","authors":"Kristin M. Rine, Anne Braaten, Jack G. Oelfke, J. Ransom","doi":"10.2192/URSUS-D-19-00005.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2192/URSUS-D-19-00005.2","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract: The North Cascades ecosystem of north-central Washington State (USA) and southern British Columbia, Canada, has been identified as 1 of 6 recovery zones for grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) that were at one time distributed across a nearly continuous range of western North America. The current small number of grizzly bears, along with an apparent scarcity of historical observations, obfuscates the extent to which the mountain range and its surrounding lowlands previously supported grizzly bears. We reviewed and synthesized what is currently known about the historical distribution of grizzly bears in and around the North Cascades to better inform possible future restoration actions. Archeological, ethnographic, and incidental evidence confirm the prehistoric and historic presence of grizzly bears in the ecosystem and surrounding lowlands. Successful implementation of grizzly bear restoration and management in the North Cascades is dependent in part on the perception that they are an integral component of the ecosystem's historical benchmark. Education and outreach efforts that focus on the influence of human perceptions and correcting misinformation about the history of bears in the ecosystem and their interactions with humans may improve long-term restoration success in the North Cascades.","PeriodicalId":49393,"journal":{"name":"Ursus","volume":"30 1","pages":"1 - 16"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2020-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74355925","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-10-26DOI: 10.2192/URSUS-D-19-00015.1
E. González-Bernardo, G. Bombieri, María del Mar Delgado, V. Penteriani
Abstract: Hibernation represents the most refined adaptation of endothermic species to overcome unfavorable periods when food is scarce. Thus, hibernation should take place within specific time frames with respect to environmental factors. Flexibility in the timing of biological events is thus central to how well mammals can deal with varying climatic conditions. For brown bears (Ursus arctos), hibernation is not only a critical period that allows them to save vital energy reserves for times of food shortage, but also the period during which pregnant females give birth to cubs. Here, we analyzed the relationship between 74 den exit dates of females with cubs, recorded from 1995 to 2018 in the Cantabrian Mountains in northwestern Spain, with (1) average daily precipitation and (2) average maximum temperature during the 30 days before den exit, as well as with (3) the number of cubs. The bears exited from 1 April to 16 May, and the mean date was 28 April. Our results, which are consistent with the general latitudinal pattern of den emergence reported in other studies, suggested that in years with higher maximum temperatures, exit dates tended to be earlier, whereas the number of cubs and the average rainfall for the 30 days prior to den exit did not seem to determine the variation in den exit dates. Considering the relationship between spring temperatures and den exit dates of females with cubs, it is important to take into account the repercussions that current global warming may have on the reproduction of brown bears. Current trends of climate change might trigger earlier den exit dates than in the past, which may have negative consequences on the population dynamics of brown bear populations. For example, a mismatch between the chronology of hibernation and food availability might reduce cub survival and, consequently, the fitness of females.
{"title":"The role of spring temperatures in the den exit of female brown bears with cubs in southwestern Europe","authors":"E. González-Bernardo, G. Bombieri, María del Mar Delgado, V. Penteriani","doi":"10.2192/URSUS-D-19-00015.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2192/URSUS-D-19-00015.1","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract: Hibernation represents the most refined adaptation of endothermic species to overcome unfavorable periods when food is scarce. Thus, hibernation should take place within specific time frames with respect to environmental factors. Flexibility in the timing of biological events is thus central to how well mammals can deal with varying climatic conditions. For brown bears (Ursus arctos), hibernation is not only a critical period that allows them to save vital energy reserves for times of food shortage, but also the period during which pregnant females give birth to cubs. Here, we analyzed the relationship between 74 den exit dates of females with cubs, recorded from 1995 to 2018 in the Cantabrian Mountains in northwestern Spain, with (1) average daily precipitation and (2) average maximum temperature during the 30 days before den exit, as well as with (3) the number of cubs. The bears exited from 1 April to 16 May, and the mean date was 28 April. Our results, which are consistent with the general latitudinal pattern of den emergence reported in other studies, suggested that in years with higher maximum temperatures, exit dates tended to be earlier, whereas the number of cubs and the average rainfall for the 30 days prior to den exit did not seem to determine the variation in den exit dates. Considering the relationship between spring temperatures and den exit dates of females with cubs, it is important to take into account the repercussions that current global warming may have on the reproduction of brown bears. Current trends of climate change might trigger earlier den exit dates than in the past, which may have negative consequences on the population dynamics of brown bear populations. For example, a mismatch between the chronology of hibernation and food availability might reduce cub survival and, consequently, the fitness of females.","PeriodicalId":49393,"journal":{"name":"Ursus","volume":"3 1","pages":"1 - 11"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2020-10-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81517974","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-10-26DOI: 10.2192/URSUS-D-18-00030.4
I. Popov, I. Davydova
Abstract: As a Vulnerable species, regular estimates of polar bear (Ursus maritimus) numbers are an important requirement for understanding population status. In the Russian part of the Barents Sea subpopulation, near the Franz Josef Land Archipelago, counts of polar bears have not been conducted since 2004. We observed polar bears from icebreakers in this area in 2015 and 2017 and obtained a preliminary estimate of density and abundance.
{"title":"Preliminary icebreaker-based survey of polar bears around Franz Josef Land, Russia","authors":"I. Popov, I. Davydova","doi":"10.2192/URSUS-D-18-00030.4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2192/URSUS-D-18-00030.4","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract: As a Vulnerable species, regular estimates of polar bear (Ursus maritimus) numbers are an important requirement for understanding population status. In the Russian part of the Barents Sea subpopulation, near the Franz Josef Land Archipelago, counts of polar bears have not been conducted since 2004. We observed polar bears from icebreakers in this area in 2015 and 2017 and obtained a preliminary estimate of density and abundance.","PeriodicalId":49393,"journal":{"name":"Ursus","volume":"43 1","pages":"1 - 5"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2020-10-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73776587","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-09-10DOI: 10.2192/URSUS-D-19-00012.1
N. Falconi, T. Fuller, S. DeStefano, J. Organ
Abstract: The Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus) is listed as a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature; however, the lack of knowledge regarding different aspects of its ecology, biogeography, and abundance hinders the conservation efforts of researchers and managers. To address the high cost of acquiring information and the lack of systematized data, we created a database for records of this species in Peru. We compiled Andean bear occurrence records in Peru for the years 1980–2018 from different sources, including direct observations, indirect observations (footprints, food remains, bear beds and scats), and camera-trap photographs from published literature, gray literature, and environmental impact studies. With collaboration from many colleagues, we obtained 973 records and created an open access database by using the Global Biodiversity Information Facility data repository. We encourage the use, publication, and sharing of raw data from studies and opportunistic observations to gain better knowledge and support for the conservation of the Andean bear and other threatened species.
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Pub Date : 2020-09-01DOI: 10.2192/URSUS-D-19-00013.2
T. A. Rather, Shaizah Tajdar, Sharad Kumar, J. A. Khan
Abstract: We studied seasonal variation in food habits of sloth bears (Melursus ursinus) in the human-dominated buffer zone of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, India, during 2017 and 2018. We analyzed 109 sloth bear scats from summer and 103 from winter to characterize the seasonal variation in food habits. We used the Index of Relative Importance (IRI) to determine the importance of each food item. Tendu (Diospyros melanoxylon) fruits had the highest IRI score in summer and termites had the highest IRI score in winter. There was a distinct seasonal variation in the food habits of the sloth bears (χ2 = 143.3, 10 df, P < 0.01). Insects (termites and ants) were the most important food source for sloth bears, contributing 41% and 95% of the Estimated Dietary Energy Content (EDEC) during summer and winter, respectively. We found that sloth bears fed primarily on the fruits of 6 plant species in summer, including the fruits of the invasive weed, Lantana camara. Fruits of amaltas (Cassia fistula) and char (Buchanania cochinchinensis) were consumed in a lower proportion than available, whereas the fruits of tendu were consumed in proportion to availability. Sloth bears had not consumed any large vertebrate species. The food items stabilization curve showed that 70 scats in summer, and 80 scats in winter, were required to depict the diet of sloth bear adequately. Consumption of L. camara by sloth bears, as well as other wildlife species, has strong management implications in terms of seed dispersal and the spreading of this invasive weed.
{"title":"Seasonal variation in the diet of sloth bears in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, India","authors":"T. A. Rather, Shaizah Tajdar, Sharad Kumar, J. A. Khan","doi":"10.2192/URSUS-D-19-00013.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2192/URSUS-D-19-00013.2","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract: We studied seasonal variation in food habits of sloth bears (Melursus ursinus) in the human-dominated buffer zone of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, India, during 2017 and 2018. We analyzed 109 sloth bear scats from summer and 103 from winter to characterize the seasonal variation in food habits. We used the Index of Relative Importance (IRI) to determine the importance of each food item. Tendu (Diospyros melanoxylon) fruits had the highest IRI score in summer and termites had the highest IRI score in winter. There was a distinct seasonal variation in the food habits of the sloth bears (χ2 = 143.3, 10 df, P < 0.01). Insects (termites and ants) were the most important food source for sloth bears, contributing 41% and 95% of the Estimated Dietary Energy Content (EDEC) during summer and winter, respectively. We found that sloth bears fed primarily on the fruits of 6 plant species in summer, including the fruits of the invasive weed, Lantana camara. Fruits of amaltas (Cassia fistula) and char (Buchanania cochinchinensis) were consumed in a lower proportion than available, whereas the fruits of tendu were consumed in proportion to availability. Sloth bears had not consumed any large vertebrate species. The food items stabilization curve showed that 70 scats in summer, and 80 scats in winter, were required to depict the diet of sloth bear adequately. Consumption of L. camara by sloth bears, as well as other wildlife species, has strong management implications in terms of seed dispersal and the spreading of this invasive weed.","PeriodicalId":49393,"journal":{"name":"Ursus","volume":"11 1","pages":"1 - 8"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2020-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87837399","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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