DOCSLIB.ORG

Polar Frontier: Media Kit

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Polar Frontier: Media Kit POLAR FRONTIER: MEDIA KIT So, tell me about Polar Frontier… Polar Frontier represents a long-abandoned mining town and draws you into the Arctic Circle; connecting you to the animals that live in some of the coldest climates in the world. Completed and open to the general public in May 2009, this state-of- the-art interactive exhibit is home to two polar bears, two Alaskan brown bears and four Arctic foxes. Why is Polar Frontier the ‘coolest’ place to hang out? Not only are the inhabitants of Polar Frontier extremely ‘cool’, but Nationwide Insurance helped us create a 1.3 acre yard designed to be the ultimate habitat. Even cooler, the habitat includes a 167,000 gallon still pool that allows you to view the bears from above, at eye-level and while they are catching trout and other treats underwater. That’s not all! Polar Playground gives the kids a chance to play while parents relax and catch a bite to eat at Polar Grill. The kids’ Arctic adventure includes hopping from one piece of sea ice to another where they can build an igloo, slide down a snow bank with a polar bear family or play on an ice teeter-totter. Make sure they soar beneath a flock of snow geese on the child-friendly zip line before they leave! Polar Frontier, here? How did the Zoo make it happen? We have a lot of people to thank for making our polar dreams come true. This $20-million experience was made possible by the generosity of Franklin County residents and funds raised through a county property tax levy as well as corporate and private contributions. We will give a few shout outs to those who made the project possible: Arctic fox: sponsored by Ed and Ellen Klopfer Family Polar Bears (underwater viewing gallery): sponsored by David C. Goss Family Polar Playground: presented by Nationwide Insurance Who lives at Polar Frontier? They must get cold! Aurora and Anana, our polar bears; Brutus and Buckeye, our Alaskan brown bears and four Arctic foxes. These guys (and girls) love the cool temperatures. Why does Polar Frontier have an extra special place in the heart of the Zoo? The Columbus Zoo provides financial support to Polar Bears International (PBI) including the work of Dr. Tom Smith, a polar bear maternal den expert and Dr. Steven Amstrup whose research includes a bear census. Polar bears are white and brown bears are brown. Will I learn anything new? Of course! Stroll through the Battelle Ice Bear Outpost, an interactive center with activities centered around polar bears, climate change and ways that you can practice conservation at home! In addition, our animal care experts give keeper talks daily. They will fill you in on what the animals eat, what they’re like in the wild, how they interact and more. If you have a question, they have an answer! Schedules change throughout the year, so check our website or stop by guest relations to find out when you can catch a keeper talk. POLAR FRONTIER SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES: We wanted to be as “green” as possible when we embarked on Polar Frontier in order to develop a world-class sustainability program leading to the meaningful reduction on our carbon footprint. We put our green foot forward with the following sustainability initiatives: Geothermal System: Provides geothermal heating and cooling to three buildings including the Battelle Icebear Outpost. It also heats and cools the bear pools in Polar Frontier. Repurposed existing building into Battelle Ice Bear Outpost and re-used doors and fixtures. We also reclaimed and repurposed many items donated by volunteers and staff for the display. Planted more than 700 trees and shrubs. Recycled rubber mulch and substrate were used as the play surface in the playground. Life Support Systems buildings allow water from bear pools to be filtered and reused, thus saving water. FAST FACTS: Polar Bears, Brown Bears and Arctic Foxes Polar Bears Twin polar bears, Aurora and Anana, were born at the Toledo Zoo in 2006 and came to the Columbus Zoo in 2010 from the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium as part of the Polar Bear Species Survival Plan (SSP). The name “Aurora” is in reference to the northern polar lights and “Anana is an Inuit word meaning “pretty” Habitat The polar bear habitat features a 1.32-acre yard with two pools including a 167,000-gallon still pool. The water temperature stays between 55 and 65 degrees year-round due to underground geothermal tanks. The habitat allows guests to view the bears from above, at eye-level, and underground. The girls also enjoy a freshwater pool and their habitat includes dig pits, smell ports and deadfall trees that provide enrichment thanks to our friends from Nationwide Insurance. Polar bear facts • The polar bear is one of the largest predators in the world. It ranges in color from pure white after a molt to a yellowish shade resulting from solar oxidation or staining by oil from seal blubber. • Size: Height: Male 8 to 10 feet, female 6 to 8 feet. Weight: 550 to 1700 lbs., female 200 to 800 lbs. • Diet at the Zoo: Natural Balance Polar Chow and various fish. • Diet in the wild: Seals, walruses, Arctic foxes and carcasses. • Predators: Man and other polar bears. • Reproduction: Mating season extends from late March through May; gestation lasts about 8 months with delayed implantation, 2 cubs in a litter. • Habitat: Arctic sea ice, water, islands and continental coastlines. • Population status: Scientists estimate that there are between 22,000 to 27,000 polar bears. FUN FACT: A polar bear can stay under water as long as a human; the record in the wild is 72 seconds! Brown Bears “Brutus” and “Buckeye” came to the Columbus Zoo in 2004 after they were found in Alaska. Their mother charged an An- chorage resident and was shot, leaving the orphaned cubs. Alaska Fish and Game, along with the resident, noticed she was nursing cubs and searched for them the next morning. Both were located, but only one of the cubs was taken in that day; the other was found 15 days later and reunited with his brother at the Anchorage Zoo. Habitat Our friends from Nationwide Insurance helped us develop a one-acre habitat full of dig pits, deadfall trees, two shelters, a waterfall and a 42,000-gallon freshwater pool filled with trout for Brutus and Buckeye. Brown bear facts • The grizzly bear is also known as the brown bear. Most people refer to them as brown bears when found in Alaska and on the West Coast. • Size: Height: 3 to 4 ft. at shoulders. Weight: The average male is 700 lbs and the average female is 450 lbs. • Diet at the Zoo: Omnivore diet, Dallas Crown carnivore diet, fish (usually trout) and a mix of apples, carrots, pears, tomatoes, and corn-on-the-cob. • Diet in the wild: Brown bears are omnivores, meaning they consume vegetative and meat items. • Reproduction: Mating season extends from May to July. A male may stay with the female for up to three weeks during this time. The brown bear is a solitary animal except during the breeding season. They mate every two to three years. • Habitat: Brown bears prefer open areas such as alpine tundra and high mountains, sub-alpine forests, alpine meadows, or along coastlines. FUN FACT: Did you know a brown bear’s diet of 23,000 calories a day would equal 67 cheeseburgers! Arctic Foxes The Arctic fox habitat is home to brother and sister “Ice” and “Anana” and brothers “Cassius” and “Brutus”. Habitat The Arctic fox habitat represents a garden shed that sits against the abandoned mine. Visitor viewing is available in the outdoor yard and indoor den. Arctic fox facts • The arctic fox is smaller, with more rounded ears, and slightly shorter and broader muzzle than the red fox. Its short, rounded body is covered with thick fur on all parts except the nose. • Size: Length: Head and body 21 to 25 inches, tail 12 inches, shoulder height 10 to 12 inches. Weight: 6.5 to 8.5 pounds. • Diet at the Zoo: Natural Balance, Mazuri Exotic Canine • Diet in the wild: Opportunistic, feeding on lemmings, rodents, birds, eggs, crab, fish, insects, fruit, seeds, human refuse, scavenge from wolf kills. • Reproduction: Mating typically occurs from early March to April with a gestation period of 52 days. • Habitat: The Arctic fox is found the tundra, a cold barren wasteland that includes snow, rocks and very little variety in vegetation. • Population status: The Arctic fox is common in most of its range. However, it is on Swedish, Finnish and Norwegian national Red lists.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Status of Wilderness Game in Alaska
    PROCEEDDIGS OF THE FORTY-THIRD ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF STA.TE GAME AND FISH COMMISSIONERS TUCSON, ARIZONA JUNE 10-12, 1963 -l~******** OFFICERS Robert J. Smith, President Ben Glading, Secretary Arizona California Walter J. Everin, 1st Vice President Montana Walter T. Shannon, 2nd Vice President California THE STATUS OF WILDERNESS GAME m .ALASKA ~ 1 ' JAMES W,. BROOKS .ALASKA DEP.AR'IMEJNT OF FISH .AND GAME The commonly held belief that wilderness types of wildlife cannot exist in close proximity to man or his land developments has helped to stim­ ulate the recent establishment of immense game refuges in Alaska and a contin­ uing agitation for additional wilderness areas and national parks. The belief stems from the early and permanent decl:lnes outside of Alaska suffered by wilderness species such as the timber wolf, grizzly bear, mountain sheep, and caribou which apparently coincided with the advance of civilization. In most cases it has been difficult or impossible to precisely identify proximate causes for such declines, though direct killing by man, diseases, change or usurption of habitat, or simply the presence of man or his cultural elements in the environment were undoubtedly involved. In .Alaska at this time we r...ave an opportunity to observe the reaction of various species and populations of wilderness types of wildlife to known influences. Our game research and man­ agement programs in most instances were initiated prior to significant hun1an intervention in the ecology of these forms •. The present status of wilderness types of :wildlife in Alaska often reflects the response of these animals to known levels and :types of exploi­ tation or other disrupting influences.
    [Show full text]
  • The Red and Gray Fox
    The Red and Gray Fox There are five species of foxes found in North America but only two, the red (Vulpes vulpes), And the gray (Urocyon cinereoargentus) live in towns or cities. Fox are canids and close relatives of coyotes, wolves and domestic dogs. Foxes are not large animals, The red fox is the larger of the two typically weighing 7 to 5 pounds, and reaching as much as 3 feet in length (not including the tail, which can be as long as 1 to 1 and a half feet in length). Gray foxes rarely exceed 11 or 12 pounds and are often much smaller. Coloration among fox greatly varies, and it is not always a sure bet that a red colored fox is indeed a “red fox” and a gray colored fox is indeed a “gray fox. The one sure way to tell them apart is the white tip of a red fox’s tail. Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargentus) Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) Regardless of which fox both prefer diverse habitats, including fields, woods, shrubby cover, farmland or other. Both species readily adapt to urban and suburban areas. Foxes are primarily nocturnal in urban areas but this is more an accommodation in avoiding other wildlife and humans. Just because you may see it during the day doesn’t necessarily mean it’s sick. Sometimes red fox will exhibit a brazenness that is so overt as to be disarming. A homeowner hanging laundry may watch a fox walk through the yard, going about its business, seemingly oblivious to the human nearby.
    [Show full text]
  • WLD What Bear Goes Where MI Adaptation
    DNRE - Wildlife Division Michigan Adaptation What Bear Goes Where? Teacher Plan Nuts and Bolts Objective: Students will [1] identify three species of bears and their habitats, and [2] generalize that animals have adapted in order to live where they do. Grade level: K – 4 Time: about 30 minutes Group size: Three groups of three to six students each. Setting: Indoors The major purpose of this activity is for students to recognize that animals can adapt to living in different environments, as shown in the example of three different kinds of bears. Materials Pictures of the three North American bear species, three large sheets of paper with the outline of one bear species on each and labeled, construction paper, pencils, scissors, glue. Background Information Polar bears have long necks, slender heads, and are white in appearance. They live along the Arctic coasts, mostly on the polar ice. The carnivorous polar bears feed mainly on fish and seals. Their thick fur keeps them warm, and the webbing between their toes makes them good swimmers. Unlike other bears, they have fur on the soles of their feet. Grizzly bears can dig up most of their food and can catch fish with their long claws. They also have a distinctive hump between their shoulders. They eat roots, tubers, gophers, marmots, and smaller rodents as well as carrion (rotten meat). They Adapted from Project Wild K-12 Curriculum and Activity Guide. Council for Environmental Education 2004. Lesson: What Bear Goes Where? DNRE - Wildlife Division Michigan Adaptation occasionally kill a larger animal for food. Grizzlies tend to live in the edges of forests but feed mostly in mountain meadows.
    [Show full text]
  • Brown Bear (Ursus Arctos) John Schoen and Scott Gende Images by John Schoen
    Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) John Schoen and Scott Gende images by John Schoen Two hundred years ago, brown (also known as grizzly) bears were abundant and widely distributed across western North America from the Mississippi River to the Pacific and from northern Mexico to the Arctic (Trevino and Jonkel 1986). Following settlement of the west, brown bear populations south of Canada declined significantly and now occupy only a fraction of their original range, where the brown bear has been listed as threatened since 1975 (Servheen 1989, 1990). Today, Alaska remains the last stronghold in North America for this adaptable, large omnivore (Miller and Schoen 1999) (Fig 1). Brown bears are indigenous to Southeastern Alaska (Southeast), and on the northern islands they occur in some of the highest-density FIG 1. Brown bears occur throughout much of southern populations on earth (Schoen and Beier 1990, Miller et coastal Alaska where they are closely associated with salmon spawning streams. Although brown bears and grizzly bears al. 1997). are the same species, northern and interior populations are The brown bear in Southeast is highly valued by commonly called grizzlies while southern coastal populations big game hunters, bear viewers, and general wildlife are referred to as brown bears. Because of the availability of abundant, high-quality food (e.g. salmon), brown bears enthusiasts. Hiking up a fish stream on the northern are generally much larger, occur at high densities, and have islands of Admiralty, Baranof, or Chichagof during late smaller home ranges than grizzly bears. summer reveals a network of deeply rutted bear trails winding through tunnels of devil’s club (Oplopanx (Klein 1965, MacDonald and Cook 1999) (Fig 2).
    [Show full text]
  • Small Predator Impacts on Deer
    IMPACTS OF SMALL PREDATORS ON DEER TERRY BLANKENSHIP, Assistant Director, Welder Wildlife Foundation, P.O. Box 1400, Sinton, Tx 78387. Abstract: Predator size influences the type of prey taken. Generally, smaller predators rely on rabbits, rodents, birds, fruits, or insects. Food habit studies of several small predators indicate the presence of deer in the diet. Percentages of deer in the diet were larger in the north and northeast where variety of prey was lower. Studies conducted in the south and southeast generally found lower percentages of deer in the diets. Studies in the south indicate fawns were the age class of choice. Although food habit studies indicate the presence of deer in the diet, this does not show these predators have an impact on deer populations. The bobcat (Lynx rufus), gray fox diet of the smaller predators listed above (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), red fox(Vulpes and the impact they may have on a deer vulpes), and golden eagle (Aquila population or a particular age class of deer. chrysaetos) are several of the smaller predators that have the potential to take deer BOBCAT (Odocoileus spp.) or a certain age class of deer. Much of the research conducted on A compilation of bobcat food habit the impacts of small predators on deer relate studies indicate rabbits (Lepus spp., to the presence or amount found in the diet. Sylvilagus spp.) were the primary prey taken Research has identified major prey items for throughout their range. Deer were an each of these predators in different regions important prey item in the northeast and of the United States.
    [Show full text]
  • Vulpes Vulpes) Evolved Throughout History?
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Environmental Studies Undergraduate Student Theses Environmental Studies Program 2020 TO WHAT EXTENT HAS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HUMANS AND RED FOXES (VULPES VULPES) EVOLVED THROUGHOUT HISTORY? Abigail Misfeldt University of Nebraska-Lincoln Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/envstudtheses Part of the Environmental Education Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, and the Sustainability Commons Disclaimer: The following thesis was produced in the Environmental Studies Program as a student senior capstone project. Misfeldt, Abigail, "TO WHAT EXTENT HAS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HUMANS AND RED FOXES (VULPES VULPES) EVOLVED THROUGHOUT HISTORY?" (2020). Environmental Studies Undergraduate Student Theses. 283. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/envstudtheses/283 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Environmental Studies Program at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Environmental Studies Undergraduate Student Theses by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. TO WHAT EXTENT HAS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HUMANS AND RED FOXES (VULPES VULPES) EVOLVED THROUGHOUT HISTORY? By Abigail Misfeldt A THESIS Presented to the Faculty of The University of Nebraska-Lincoln In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements For the Degree of Bachelor of Science Major: Environmental Studies Under the Supervision of Dr. David Gosselin Lincoln, Nebraska November 2020 Abstract Red foxes are one of the few creatures able to adapt to living alongside humans as we have evolved. All humans and wildlife have some id of relationship, be it a friendly one or one of mutual hatred, or simply a neutral one. Through a systematic research review of legends, books, and journal articles, I mapped how humans and foxes have evolved together.
    [Show full text]
  • © Clark Creative Education Wild Animal
    © Clark Creative Education Wild Animal Conservation Relations, Patterns & Ideal Unit: Functions Time Range: 3-5 Days Supplies: Pencil & Paper Topics of Focus: - Creating Functions from Patterns - Rate of Change - Proportions Driving Question “How can conservation efforts save endangered species?” Culminating Experience A conservation plan Common Core Alignment: o Construct a function to model a linear relationship between two quantities. Determine the rate of change and initial value of the function from a description of a relationship or from two (x, y) 8.F.4 values, including reading these from a table or from a graph. Interpret the rate of change and initial value of a linear function in terms of the situation it models Calculate and interpret the average rate of change of a function (presented symbolically or as a F-IF.6 table) over a specified interval. Estimate the rate of change from a graph.★ F-BF.1 Write a function that describes a relationship between two quantities.★ F-LE.5 Interpret the parameters in a linear or exponential function in terms of a context. Interpret the slope (rate of change) and the intercept (constant term) of a linear model in the S-ID.7 context of the data. Procedures: A.) In “Animal Tracking”, students will practice proportions and use animal tracking mathematics to estimate the size of a population. B.) In “Endangered Species or Invasive Species?”, students will analyze patterns, write functions and predict the future. The population data is from the IUCN and WWF; however, numbers were slightly adjusted to make it an authentic pattern assignment. C.) In "Surviving Extinction”, students will use data to analyze pre-conservation and post-conservation data to answer questions about once critically endangered species.
    [Show full text]
  • VIRGINIA BLACK BEAR What Kind of Bears Are in Virginia? 101
    VIRGINIA BLACK BEAR What Kind of Bears Are In Virginia? 101 Jaime Sajecki Bear Project Leader ………Black Bears! What Kind of Bears Are In What Kind of Bears Are In Virginia? Virginia? Brown and Blond Phase Black Bear Cubs Brown Bear What Kind of Bears Are In What Kind of Bears Are In Virginia? Virginia? Only 58% of Virginians correctly named black bears as the only species of bear living in Virginia. Brown Bear Brown Bear 1 Weight Males (boars) Females (sows) adult weight adult weight LIFE HISTORY 200-500 100-250 OF BLACK pounds pounds BEARS Large, Non-retractable Claws Senses Nearsighted Keen sense of smell/hearing Bears can see in color: This helps them find insects and small Climbing trees colorful berries while foraging. Digging up insects Bears stand on their hind legs to get a better view and to smell and “taste” the air Defense Behaviors Movements SPRING/SUMMER Solitary most of the time. • Bears leave dens in search of food - Food is limited Active at dawn and dusk • Female bears : Travel with cubs • Male bears: Mostly solitary Omnivorous and opportunistic • Yearlings may be with siblings • Yearlings left to fend for themselves when female ready to mate again 2 Movements What Bears Eat FALL • ~75% of the bear’s diet consists of vegetative FOOD! FOOD! FOOD! matter; berries, nuts, grasses, and fruits Bears can forage up to 20 hours a day in preparation for denning • ~25% consists of insects, larvae, carrion, small animals, and fish. Although they are not particularly good hunters, they have been known to prey on small to medium- sized mammals such as rodents and deer fawns.
    [Show full text]
  • IUCN Briefing Paper
    BRIEFING PAPER September 2016 Contact information updated April 2019 Informing decisions on trophy hunting A Briefing Paper regarding issues to be taken into account when considering restriction of imports of hunting trophies For more information: SUMMARY Dilys Roe Trophy hunting is currently the subject of intense debate, with moves IUCN CEESP/SSC Sustainable Use at various levels to end or restrict it, including through increased bans and Livelihoods or restrictions on carriage or import of trophies. This paper seeks to inform SpecialistGroup these discussions. [email protected] Patricia Cremona IUCN Global Species (such as large antlers), and overlaps with widely practiced hunting for meat. Programme It is clear that there have been, and continue to be, cases of poorly conducted [email protected] and poorly regulated hunting. While “Cecil the Lion” is perhaps the most highly publicised controversial case, there are examples of weak governance, corruption, lack of transparency, excessive quotas, illegal hunting, poor monitoring and other problems in a number of countries. This poor practice requires urgent action and reform. However, legal, well regulated trophy Habitat loss and degradation is a primary hunting programmes can, and do, play driver of declines in populations an important role in delivering benefits of terrestrial species. Demographic change for both wildlife conservation and for and corresponding demands for land for the livelihoods and wellbeing of indigenous development are increasing in biodiversity- and local communities living with wildlife. rich parts of the globe, exacerbating this pressure on wildlife and making the need for viable conservation incentives more urgent. © James Warwick RECOMMENDATIONS and the rights and livelihoods of indigenous and local communities, IUCN calls on relevant decision- makers at all levels to ensure that any decisions that could restrict or end trophy hunting programmes: i.
    [Show full text]
  • Biological Opinion for the USFWS Region 7 Polar Bear and Pacific
    Biological Opinion for the USFWS Region 7 Polar Bear and Pacific Walrus Deterrence Program Marine Mammals Management Office Anchorage, Alaska Prepared by: Fairbanks Fish and Wildlife Field Office U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 101 12th Ave, Room 110 Fairbanks, AK 99701 January 13, 2014 1 Table of Contents List of Tables .................................................................................................................................. 3 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 3 The Proposed Action....................................................................................................................... 3 Requirements for Deterrence Authorization ............................................................................... 4 Application packet .................................................................................................................. 4 Availability of Biologist for Advice ........................................................................................... 6 Methods of Deterrence ................................................................................................................ 6 Polar Bears .............................................................................................................................. 6 Walruses .................................................................................................................................. 8 Who
    [Show full text]
  • Notes on the Biology of the Tibetan Fox (Vulpes Ferrilata)
    Harris et al. Biology of Tibetan fox Canid News Copyright © 2008 by the IUCN/SSC Canid Specialist Group. ISSN 1478-2677 The following is the established format for referencing this article: Harris et al. 2008. Notes on the biology of the Tibetan fox. Canid News 11.1 [online] URL: http://www.canids.org/canidnews/11/ Biology_of_Tibetan_fox.pdf. Research Report Notes on the biology of the Tibetan fox Richard B. Harris1*, Wang Zhenghuan2, Zhou Jiake1, and Liu Qunxiu2 1 Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences, College of Forestry and Conservation, Univer- sity of Montana, Missoula, Montana, USA. 2 School of Life Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China. * Correspondence author. Email: [email protected] Keywords: body size; brown bear; China; mating; Ursus arctos; Vulpes ferrilata; whelping Abstract Introduction We report on three aspects of the biology of Until recently, biological data on the Tibetan Tibetan foxes Vulpes ferrilata for which existing fox was gained mostly from anecdotal reports, literature is either absent or misleading. Our observations of their sign, or hunting records two field studies in western China each in- (e.g. Gong and Hu 2003; Schaller and Gisnberg volved capture (and subsequent radio- 2004; Wang et al. 2003, 2004, 2007). Because marking) of foxes, allowing us to refine exist- Tibetan foxes live in remote, mountainous en- ing information on body size and mass. Ti- vironments and are rarely observed in the betan foxes we captured were somewhat lar- wild, some aspects of their biology have been ger and heavier than the current literature difficult to document.
    [Show full text]
  • Carnivory Is Positively Correlated with Latitude Among Omnivorous Mammals: Evidence from Brown Bears, Badgers and Pine Martens
    Ann. Zool. Fennici 46: 395–415 ISSN 0003-455X (print), ISSN 1797-2450 (online) Helsinki 18 December 2009 © Finnish Zoological and Botanical Publishing Board 2009 Carnivory is positively correlated with latitude among omnivorous mammals: evidence from brown bears, badgers and pine martens Egle Vulla1, Keith A. Hobson2, Marju Korsten1, Malle Leht3, Ants-Johannes Martin4, Ave Lind4, Peep Männil5, Harri Valdmann1 & Urmas Saarma1* 1) Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Vanemuise 46, 51014 Tartu, Estonia (*corresponding authors’ e-mail: [email protected]) 2) Environment Canada, 11 Innovation Blvd., Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7N 3H5 3) Department of Botany, Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 5, 51014 Tartu, Estonia 4) Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 5, 51014 Tartu, Estonia 5) Centre of Forest Protection and Silviculture, Rõõmu tee 2, 51013 Tartu, Estonia Received 17 Nov. 2008, revised version received 4 May 2009, accepted 16 Mar. 2009 Vulla, E., Hobson, K. A., Korsten, M., Leht, M., Martin, A.-J., Lind, A., Männil, P., Valdmann, H. & Saarma, U. 2009: Carnivory is positively correlated with latitude among omnivorous mammals: evidence from brown bears, badgers and pine martens. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 46: 395–415. Omnivores exploit numerous sources of protein and other nutrients throughout the year, and meat is generally considered a high-quality resource. However, it is unknown if there is any general association between latitude and carnivorous behavior in omnivorous mammals. We examined the relative importance of meat and other dietary components, including anthropogenic food items, in the diet of brown bears (Ursus arctos) in Estonia using conventional scat- and stomach-content analyses as well as stable-isotope (δ15N, δ13C) analyses.
    [Show full text]