International Bear News Quarterly Newsletter of the International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) and the IUCN/SSC Bear Specialist Group February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1

Contents Council News 2 From the President 4 USA/Russia Polar Bear Treaty Support 5 Secretary's Report 6 IBA Travel Grants Due 6 IBA Grants 6 IUCN Grants for Meetings 7 Frank Cooper Craighead, Jr. Eurasia 10 Curiosity Trapped the Cat! 10 Thailand Claws 11 Pyrenees Brown Bear Restoration 13 Genetic Analysis in Austria 13 Romania: Electric Fences & Livestock Americas 15 Peru Workshop & Grassroots Success 17 Andean Bears in Ecuador 18 Venezuela: Andean Bear Project 19 Andean Bear Website 20 Western USA 22 Southwest USA

24 Northcentral USA © Lance Craighead 25 Northeast USA In Memory: Frank Cooper Craighead, Jr. 25 Florida 26 Improved Black Bear Live Trap Publications Zoo News 36 Ursus 12 Contents 27 Polar Bear Management in Central Park 37 16th E. Black Bear Workshop Proceedings Student Affairs 37 Sloth Bears 28 Opportunity Notices 37 Ursus: COYS and Black Bears Banned! 28 Your Proposal is Your Friend Events Opportunities 38 Grizzly Bears: Small Populations Workshop 31 Bear Work Wanted 38 Eighth Western Black Bear Workshop 31 Bear Biologists Needed in Florida 38 Future IBA Conferences Education/Outreach 39 14th IBA Conf. Registration & Information 32 Call for Educational Materials IBA Bears in Culture 44 Contact Information 33 Kermode Bears: From Myth to Mutation 45 Membership Application & Survey 34 Bear Self-Medication 47 Publications Order Form IBA website: www.bearbiology.com Council News From the President

Harry Reynolds For example, since 1993, the IBA findings of bear biology that make Alaska Department of Fish and Game grants program (formerly the Bevins science-based conservation an 1300 College Road grant review committee) has dis- effective tool in maintaining the Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA bursed US$108,000 on 30 projects to place of bears in our world. Unfortu- Phone (907) 459-7238 enhance bear conservation around nately, purchase of this volume has Fax (907) 451-9723 the world. This has come from many been far below our expectations and Email donors and from membership fees. council is considering a number of [email protected] Our largest donation came to us options to make it easier for mem- through tragedy, when polar bear bers to maintain subscriptions while IBA is more than a group of people biologists John Sheldon Bevins and holding costs to a level commensu- interested in the biology of bears. George Menkins lost their lives rate with other professional journals. Certainly, we fit that description, but during a radio-tracking flight over for most of us it goes far beyond the Arctic Ocean. In recognition of Volunteering interest. We are members of this his passion for bear research, John’s and the Questionnaire organization because we are commit- widow, Dr. Julia Bevins, established Do you want to be more active in ted: strongly committed, intellectu- the Bevins’ Foundation, from which IBA? Are you willing to contribute ally committed, and yes, even half of the annual income comes to your efforts to help IBA be more emotionally committed, to the IBA for dispersal through the IBA effective? If you are, contact me and stewardship of bears. We can do grant review program. We hope to include your expertise and how you more for bear conservation as a attract additional donations to would like to contribute and fill out group than we can individually. We sustain our publication of Interna- a questionnaire. A number of you believe that stewardship can be tional Bear News and to expand our have already done so and can expect achieved by practicing science-based support of bear conservation, to be contacted in the next months. management of bear populations especially for at-risk populations. Completing the membership ques- and habitat, by increasing public Any size donation can help in this tionnaire (pages 45-46) is an effective understanding of the bears’ place in effort—for example, providing a gift way to help us match your expertise the world’s ecosystems, and through membership for bear conservation- to IBA needs and to enhance interchange among bear conserva- ists in countries where hard currency contact among members by provid- tionists. is difficult to obtain, is within the ing current and complete contact A measure of our commitment is reach of many of us (use the form on information. that we are an organization of page 45). Please fax, download from the volunteers. IBA has 750 members Quarterly publication of Interna- website (www.bearbiology.com) and throughout the world. We are a non- tional Bear News costs about email, or mail your questionnaire profit organization and at present we US$13,000 annually, even though today—and consider extending your have only one contractor who is paid our editor, Teresa DeLorenzo, membership and/or making a a nominal amount because of the volunteers all of her time and donation at the same time. amount of work necessary to main- expertise to what has become the tain continuity and quality in our glue that helps bind us all together. Ursus 12 journal, Ursus. The rest of our mem- This is a big job, and Teresa has The latest volume of Ursus is now bers serve without compensation. made it an outstanding publication. available. Review its contents on Our association raises money from It is presently funded solely by page 36 and order your copy using three sources: donations, member- membership funds and keeps us the form on page 47 or at ship fees, and any excess available informed of bear conservation issues, www.bearbiology.com. after conference or workshop costs IBA business, advances in our field, Also just out is the proceedings of are paid. The money we raise is spent and other items of interest to us all. the 16th Eastern Black Bear Work- to further bear conservation through Our now-annual publication of shop. Review its contents on page 37 direct support of bear research our peer-reviewed journal, Ursus, is and order it as detailed above. (mostly to students), conservation, funded through subscriptions. Ursus educational programs, and the 11 cost US$25,000 to publish. Ursus international interchange of ideas. is designed to report the most recent

2 International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 Council News Our Debt to Frank Craighead

Conferences & Workshops Announcements describing the 14th IBA conference in Steinkjer, Norway on 28 July-3 August 2002 are on pages 39-43. This promises to be an outstanding conference and will be held in a beautiful setting—don’t miss it. Future IBA conferences are: 2003 November, 15th Interna- tional Conference, Dehradun, India; 2004 February, 16th International Conference, California, USA; 2005, 17th International Confer- ence, Italy. The next workshop, “Grizzly Bears: A workshop on enhancing and managing small populations,” will be

held in Sandpoint, Idaho, USA in © Lance Craighead December 2002 (see page 38 for Frank Craighead and Harry Reynolds details).

Nominations: IBA Officers IBA officers are elected by the During the 13th IBA conference in Jackson Hole, Frank C. Craighead, Jr. and members to guide our direction and his twin brother John received the U.S. Department of Interior Lifetime to address the business of our Achievement Award for their pioneering work on grizzly bears and other association. These are working contributions to wildlife conservation. Frank died in Jackson last October and positions that require conscientious a memorial celebration of his life was held on December 1 in the same hall attention and substantial time that housed our conference. It wasn’t a purposeful gesture, but it was certainly commitment—they should not be fitting. I am lucky enough to be counted among those for whom Frank was a viewed as honorifics that involve mentor, so the celebration was especially meaningful for me. I attended to give minimal effort. Our bylaws provide my own respects and those on behalf of IBA. that candidates for vice president Almost all scientific work is based on previous advancements. Frank (Eurasia) and two council members Craighead was instrumental in development of some of the most useful be elected prior to the next Eurasian research tools and techniques that we now take for granted. The next time you conference. The vice president safely immobilize a bear, place a radio-collar so that movements or cub (Eurasia) must reside in Eurasia. A production can be monitored, or use satellite telemetry to follow a bear, pause candidate from any country can run briefly to remember Frank and John Craighead first developed these tech- for the council offices. niques for use on bears. Even more important is the passion with which the The nominating committee Craigheads helped to form the public’s view of bears as a crucial and integral (Djuro Huber, Jon Swenson, Karen part of our environment. Frank’s life was dedicated to maintaining wild rivers, Noyce, and Lydia Kolter) has been wild places, and the wildlife that inhabits them. His life should serve as an formed to suggest at least two example to us all. (More on pages 7-9). nominees for each position. If you want to run or have suggestions for worthy candidates, contact any member of the nominating com- mittee. Their addresses, except for Lydia Kolter ([email protected]), are on page 44.

International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 3 Council News USA/Russia Polar Bear Agreement Needs Your Support

A landmark polar bear conserva- restrictions of this harvest unless the developed based on sound wildlife tion agreement treaty was signed by population becomes depleted under management concepts in conjunc- the United States and Russia on the Marine Mammal Protection Act, tion with a scientific advisory group; October 16, 2000 (see IBN, November or listed as “threatened or endan- taking denning bears or females with 2000 and February 2001) but has not gered” under the Endangered Species cubs or cubs less than one-year of age yet been ratified by the U.S. Senate. Act. This agreement will prevent would be prohibited; the use of IBA members can help by writing to over-exploitation, possible under the aircraft and large motorized vessels encourage the Department of existing situation, from occurring in in taking bears would be prohibited; Interior and the Department of State the future. commercial uses would be prohib- to support ratification of the treaty The agreement would provide a ited; and coordinated habitat and advance it to the U.S. Congress. much needed mechanism to unify conservation and bio-monitoring Letters in your own words are management, conservation, and would be enhanced necessary to show support for the research programs between the The agreement would support conservation agreement and demon- United States and Russia for polar population research, studies, surveys, strate a public need. Efforts by IBA bears of the Alaska-Chukotka and long-term monitoring programs members may prove essential to this population, including an authority effort. The text of the agreement is to develop and enforce harvest limits Submitted by: available on the IBA website: which is presently absent. It would Harry Reynolds www.bearbiology.com. also provide for annual coordination President, IBA among the parties to exchange data & Please address your letters to the and information. Sterling Miller following: The agreement identifies an Vice President IBA and important role for Alaska and Senior Scientist Honorable Gale Norton Chukotka Native organizations in National Wildlife Federation Secretary of the Interior future implementation and recog- & Department of the Interior nizes subsistence harvest by Native Scott Schliebe 1849 C Street N.W. people as a use under the agreement. Chair Washington, DC 20240, USA A joint commission comprised of IUCN/Polar Bear Specialist Group and four representatives: a governmental & Honorable John F. Turner official and a Native official from Ian Stirling Assistant Secretary each country would direct imple- Senior Research Scientist Oceans and International Environ- mentation. Canadian Wildlife Service mental and Scientific Affairs The commission would U.S. Department of State establish enforceable harvest 2201 C Street, N.W. limits (currently unavail- Washington, DC 20520, USA able in the U.S. and in Russia). Harvest This agreement would ensure limits would be long-term science based conservation programs for the Alaska-Chukotka polar bear population. Currently unknown but potentially significant numbers of bears are being illegally harvested in Chukotka and while lawful harvest by Alaska Natives is ongoing, U.S. law does not allow

© Joan Skidmore

4 International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 Council News Secretary’s Report

Joe Clark Since that went so well, we sent IBA Member Letter U.S. Geological Survey free newsletters to non-member I received the following letter from Southern Appalachian Field Lab. attendees of the 2001 IBA conference IBA member Nita Nettleton about University of Tennessee held in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the importance of IBA: Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, USA USA. Of the 165 attendees that I am filling out my membership Phone (865) 974-4790 received free newsletters, 53 either renewal and responding to the Fax (865) 974-3555 became members or renewed old survey. I have nothing to fill into the Email [email protected] memberships (32%). blanks, but would like you to know It would appear that the expense why I value your organization and With patient help from Bernie of the extra postage and printing was subscribe to your newsletter. I work Peyton, Frank van Manen, and Terry well worth it. However, there are still for the Forest Service as an interpre- White, I’m settling into my new duties many bear biologists and enthusiasts tive specialist and have the privilege as IBA secretary. The database that that do not belong to IBA. That is of collecting, recommending and Bernie set up was excellent and I’ve particularly troubling when I scan using information suitable for found that keeping up with member- through the names of past members teaching children and adults about ship and generating mailing lists is whose memberships have lapsed; our environment. Because I have pretty automated. While I’m catching many are still quite active in bear read about and have more personal my breath, I thought I’d give a brief conservation. It would be a costly experience with bears than any other report on our IBA membership. undertaking, but given the success of mammal, I use them to illustrate As of this writing, there are 750 IBA the above free mailings, I wonder if things like adaptability, survival members. Of those, 65 are complimen- it would be worthwhile to send free strategy, population dynamics and tary (paid by the IBA) memberships, newsletters to past members with an human interactions with other 15 of which are IUCN bear study appeal to renew…I’d appreciate your species. Most of what I know, I learn group members. Complimentary feedback. from publications such as yours. I memberships can be proposed by The bigger question, perhaps, is trust your contributors to give factual anyone but must be approved by “Why have so many IBA members information and I appreciate the council. Complimentary memberships fallen by the wayside?” Is there contact information so I can ask are commonly granted to persons something IBA could be doing (or questions. outside the U.S. or Canada where not doing) to win them back? Well, I enjoy having recent articles to funds may be limited. Such member- you have a golden opportunity to refer to when “de-monsterizing” ships are sometimes given to those tell us how IBA could better serve bears for children and helping adults who have contributed financially or you if you would FILL OUT AND (voters) find value in sharing our otherwise to IBA. All told, there are SEND IN YOUR QUESTIONNAIRE planet with bears. The article about 1477 entries in the database; thus, SURVEY on page 45 (or download it [grizzly] #56 in the November 2001 about half of our historic members at www.bearbiology.com)—you can issue has rich discussion potential have let their memberships expire and extend your membership at the same along with the bits about the 880 have not renewed. time. To date, we have received only pound [American] black bear in To try to bolster our membership 76 completed questionnaires (that’s a Manitoba and the 93 year old woman base and to increase the awareness of pitiful 10% return rate—we’d do killed in her home in New Mexico. IBA, last year we sent free newsletters better getting the general public to Not all the articles are of interest or to attendees of the 2001 Eastern return questionnaires!). The ques- understandable to me, but, personally, Black Bear Workshop in Clemson, tionnaire will enable us to develop a I enjoy knowing that researchers are South Carolina, USA. One-hundred database of IBA expertise, will help working all over the world to learn twenty-five attendees who were not us paint a profile of our membership, more about this well designed and regular IBA members received and identify ways to improve our really quite cerebral mammal. newsletters. Subsequent to that, 34 organization. It’s important, so I suspect I am one of many either renewed past memberships or please send (mail, email, fax) your subscribers who use your newsletter became new members. That’s a questionnaires to me today! as an educational tool. It is a great success rate (assuming cause and booster to the few but very good bear effect) of 27%. books available.

International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 5 Council News Travel Grants Due IBA Grants IUCN Grants April 1 for Due January 1, 2003 for Meetings 14th IBA Conference

Glen Contreras Frederick C. Dean Ruth Barreto 4408 Santa Clara Court 810 Ballaine Road IUCN/Ford Foundation Small Grants Fairfax, Virginia 22030-4461, USA Fairbanks, Alaska 99709-6607, USA IUCN Sustainable Use Team Phone (703) 605-5286 Phone (907) 479-6607 1630 Connecticut Ave., Third Floor Fax (703) 605-0279 Email [email protected] Washington, DC 20009, USA Email [email protected] Fax (907) 474-6967 Phone (202) 518-2063 c/o Institute of Arctic Biology, Fax (202) 387-4823 The grant committee welcomes University of Alaska Fairbanks Email [email protected] donations or sponsorship to support Website http://www.iucn.org/ registration, lodging, and expenses Applications for grants must be in themes/ssc/susg/smallgengai.html for deserving applicants. English and be postmarked no later Funds for travel grants are limited, than January 1 of the year in which Through a grant from the Ford and not all qualified applicants will the project will be conducted. The Foundation, the IUCN Sustainable receive travel grants or full funding IBA application must be used Use Team is offering small grants to for all expenses. Requirements: (available from the address above or promote scholarly contributions a) Preference will be given to persons at www.bearbiology.com). Applica- from individuals from developing residing outside North America and tions should not exceed four pages in countries in the field of sustainable Western Europe, and giving oral or length not counting budgets, use of biological systems. The aim is poster presentations at the conference. endorsements, and other supporting to promote the authority of science b) Grants are intended to supplement documents which may be attached. from developing countries and foster funds from other sources, including The application must include a opportunities for scholarly exchange. personal, agency, or non-governmental description of all items listed on the The program will run until the end organization funds. Recipients must grant application form. Proposals of June 2002. Submission deadlines report their efforts to obtain at least some will be strengthened if IBA funds are are March 31 and June 30. matching funds and explain those efforts matched in part with funds from We will be giving priority to in the application. other sources. proposals that address the complex c) Grants are limited to less than The IBA council has directed the connections between people and US$1000. It is possible, but not certain, grant review committee to give nature, exploring the concept of that additional funding may be found to special consideration to proposals sustainability. Applications related to supplement especially expensive travel from countries where project fund- activities that employ innovative costs. However, supplementary grants ing is difficult to obtain. However, inter- or multidisciplinary ap- must be applied for specifically. proposals will be considered from all proaches are the most likely to be d) Recipients must include an parts of the world, from graduate funded. estimate of all expected expenses in the students, and from established Support will be provided in only application and provide an accounting workers. The committee will attempt one category: of travel expenses (air travel, conference to fund proposals which they 1. Participation at scholarly/ fees, accommodations, etc. and all determine to most likely benefit technical meetings. funding sources whether personal or significant, biologically sound bear This will generally include travel from other entities) to the travel grant conservation and management and per diem costs, but may also committee at the conference. efforts. cover costs associated with preparing e) Except in unusual circumstances, a presentation (e.g., production of travel grants should only cover the audio-visual materials), and meeting cost of transportation. Preferably, the registration costs. Grants will be for a travel grant committee will purchase maximum of $2000. tickets, or reimburse costs, as opposed In general, the program is in- to sending money to the recipient. tended to support the communica- f) If an applicant also requires a tion of research findings, project waiver of registration fees or accom- results, and lessons learned from modation costs, this must be specified. developing countries. Apply to the address above. Informa- tion about other grants is on page 39.

6 International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 Council News Frank Craighead Dies

Excerpted from New York Times by helmets to blunt attacks from angry After the war, the brothers re- Douglas Martin, November 4, 2001. mothers. In 1937, they published their turned to Wyoming, where they first article in National Geographic, bought 14 acres in Antelope Flats, Frank Craighead, who with his “Adventures with Birds of Prey.” near Moose. They then re-enrolled at identical twin, John, performed a 12- In the late 1930s, they drove a the University of Michigan and year study of grizzly bears in and Model-T Ford on a tour of the West wrote a dissertation on raptors. around Yellowstone National Park to capture hawks and falcons. They They returned to Moose to build that was credited with helping save were enamored of Moose, Wyoming, log cabins, marry and start families. the species from extinction in the according to a biography of Frank The brothers then went in different lower 48 states, died on October 21, Craighead prepared by the Craighead directions, with John teaching at the 2001 at a nursing home in Jackson, Environmental Research Institute, University of Montana and Frank Wyoming. He was 85. which he founded and led. directing an environmental studies The brothers program at the State were the first to University of New use radio collars York based in to track large Wyoming. mammals, a In 1959, the twins’ technique that careers merged again opened new when Yellowstone windows into asked them to study grizzlies’ habits. grizzly bears. One For the first time, friend who was an their dens could amateur radio be found, and the operator and another Craigheads who was an electron- burrowed right in ics engineer helped with them. “They them develop their were hoping they radio tracking weren’t awake,” system. Mr. Craighead’s When their wife, Shirley, said. research began, The brothers grizzlies were John and Frank Craighead tagging a grizzly found that the during the early years in the Yellowstone study. considered a threat bears needed an and a nuisance, but enormous amount of space, ranging The twins attended Pennsylvania the researchers proved that the bears far beyond the 2.2 million-acre State University, and then both were vital to Yellowstone’s ecosystem. Yellowstone park, and that they were earned master’s degrees in ecology In his 1979 book, Track of the Grizzly, extremely slow in reproducing. and wildlife management from the Frank Craighead wrote, “These magnifi- Despite the brothers’ often heated University of Michigan. cent creatures are in many ways the fights with Washington bureaucrats, In 1940, an Indian prince, K. S. epitome of evolutionary adaptation, but the federal government ultimately Dharmakumarsinjhi, invited the in order to survive in today’s world, they adopted many of their recommenda- twins to India after reading their need our understanding. Without it they tions when it made grizzlies a article about falconry. The National are doomed.” threatened species under the Endan- Geographic paid their expenses, and Mr. Craighead’s career veered into gered Species Act of 1975. they chronicled falconry during the studying other animals, like elk and As teenagers, the twins became last days of the rule of maharajahs. Canada geese; writing articles and fascinated with falconry, teaching They joined the Navy in World books ranging from narrowly themselves the basics from reading War II and were assigned to set up a scientific studies to a popular book books. When they climbed cliffs to survival training program. on wildflowers; and managing a collect baby falcons, they wore reserve for bighorn sheep.

© Lance Craighead

International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 7 Council News In Memory: Frank Cooper Craighead, Jr.

by Lance Craighead. staying until late in Frank Cooper the fall when the Craighead, Jr. died bears denned. During on October 21, the years of the 2001 from advanced grizzly bear study, Parkinson’s disease. Frank and John found He passed away time to publish a peacefully in the Peterson Field Guide early morning after on wildflowers with more than a week of Ray Davis: A Field quiet decline. Guide to Rocky Moun- Frank’s Parkinson’s tain Wildflowers, write symptoms disap- four articles for peared for his last National Geographic few weeks of life. He magazine, make two will be remembered National Geographic for his contribu- Television specials, tions to bear “Grizzly” and “Wild research and Rivers,” and four management. lecture films. Frank was born Perhaps Frank’s Frank Craighead preparing a radio collar. in Washington, greatest contribution D.C. on August 14, 1916. His parents there in 1941 and 1942, but the to the grizzly bear study, and to the were Dr. Frank C. Craighead, Sr. and United States’ entry into the war science of wildlife ecology, was his Carolyn Johnson Craighead. Frank, interrupted their plans. Frank and leadership in developing and using Sr. was a forest entomologist working his brother were asked by the U.S. radio transmitters. He worked on this for the Department of Agriculture, Navy to set up a survival training with Hoke Franciscus, whose experi- and Carolyn was a biologist techni- program and they wrote the Navy’s ence as a ham radio operator enabled cian; one of the first women to hold manual, How to Survive on Land and the two to build some simple such a position. Sea. In November of 1943, while on a transmitters. Frank then enlisted Frank and his twin brother John short leave from the Navy, Frank another friend, electrical engineer worked closely together for the first married Esther Stevens. After the Joel Varney of Philco-Ford, who half of their lives. As teenagers, Frank war, Frank returned to his studies at developed the first working large- and John were fascinated with birds the University of Michigan. He and mammal radio collars. Frank and the of prey. Their experiences led to their John received fellowships from the rest of the grizzly bear study crew first magazine article, “Adventures Wildlife Management Institute, and then developed field techniques to with Birds of Prey,” for the National they earned their Ph.D.s in 1949. attach the collars and track the Geographic Magazine, in 1937. Hawks Their Ph.D. dissertations were movements of the bears. Several in the Hand was the first book that published as a book entitled Hawks, years later, with Joel’s expertise, they Frank and John wrote, published in Owls, and Wildlife. modified U.S. Navy navigation buoys 1939. It contains stories of their early In 1950, Frank and John were to develop the first animal satellite adventures while learning falconry survival consultants to the Strategic transmitters. and photography. Frank and John Air Command, and in 1951 they The grizzly study came to an end graduated with A.B. degrees in organized survival training schools in 1969 after disagreements with the science in 1939 from Pennsylvania for the Air Force. In 1959 at the National Park Service over issues of State University, and went on to the request of Yellowstone National Park, academic freedom in a controversy University of Michigan for M.S. they began a 12-year study of grizzly that many members of the bear degrees in ecology and wildlife bears. Frank would drive from research community remember, and management in 1940. They began Pennsylvania, arriving in regret. Despite this setback, research work toward their Ph.D. degrees Yellowstone early in the spring and on Yellowstone’s bears has continued

© Lance Craighead

8 International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 Council News

and Frank and John’s by the U.S. Interior Depart- work provided an invalu- ment for their lifelong able baseline which conservation and research pointed the way for efforts. continuing study. The He is survived by Shirley Yellowstone grizzly Craighead, and children Lance project was documented Craighead with wife April, in Frank’s first popular Charlie Craighead with book, Track of the Grizzly. children Cooper and Andrea, Esther died in 1980. and Jana Craighead Smith Frank lived on his own for with husband Ron and several years, and in 1987 children Evan and Erin. His he married Shirley Cocker. brother John Craighead lives Frank was officially in Missoula, Montana, and his retired, but with Shirley’s sister, Jean Craighead George, help he wrote his last lives in Chappaqua, New York. book, For Everything There There are also numerous is a Season, which narrates nieces and nephews, in-laws, and interrelates the cousins, and close friends and biological events (phenol- relatives who will miss Frank, ogy) of the Yellowstone as well as untold numbers of Ecosystem. With Shirley’s strangers who he touched patient and loving care, with his life and his work. Frank was able to live at A memorial fund has home until the last few been set up with the

© Lance Craighead months of his life. With Craighead Environmental Frank Craighead and Maurice Hornocker attach an early radio collar. her help, he went to the Research Institute, Box 113, Lamar Moose, WY Valley to 83012, see grizzlies USA or 201 again, got South out to look Wallace for birds, to Ave., hold a fly Bozeman, rod in his MT 59715, hands, and USA. to visit Frank’s friends. memorial At the fund will 2001 IBA be used to meeting in preserve Jackson, his ar- Wyoming, chives and Frank and to support John were visiting presented researchers. the Great Bear Steward- ship Award

© Charles Craighead John and Frank Craighead tracking a grizzly at denning time.

International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 9 Eurasia Curiosity Trapped the Cat!

K. Yoganand We received a trap alarm early one scent that we might have left. She Wildlife Institute of India morning and headed out in the seemed to have entered the cubby set Dehradun, 248001, India silent darkness to the trap site near a the way we wanted bears to get in, Present Address: bear trail along an escarpment. We guided by the sticks we had placed, Smithsonian Conservation & stopped our jeep on the jungle road and carefully (!) put her front foot Research Center about a kilometer from the trap and right inside the snare noose, leading 1500 Remount Rd. walked to the trap in the darkness. to a good capture. The tiger sus- Front Royal, VA 22630, USA About 200 m from the trap, we heard tained no injury from the capture. Email [email protected] a grunt. We got excited and were That rare incident also illustrates the quite sure it was a bear. Sloth bears efficiency and the safety with which In March 1998, I was trapping in Panna are very aggressive when a leg hold snare can be managed. sloth bears in the dry deciduous close to humans and so I constructed forests of Panna National Park in a blind near each trap. Central India. I had radio-collared six We waited in the blind about 10 sloth bears and was cruising into the m from the trap until dawn and then third year of studying the behavior, approached the trap. We realized Thailand Claws ecology and conservation of sloth what was in the trap certainly did bears in Panna. Gary Koehler, not look like the black blob of a sloth Rob Steinmetz Washington Department of Fish and bear. We were shocked to see a tiger Email [email protected] Wildlife, came to share his carnivore snared! Having a tiger in the snare research expertise and help me was the last thing that I had wanted As part of my graduate research improve my trapping techniques. and I was totally baffled as to how it (habitat use and feeding ecology of I had been setting foot snares with could have happened, despite all my Asiatic black bears and sun bears in a cubby set to avoid capturing non- precautions not to catch anything Thailand), I am analyzing claw marks target species. Though this set up other than a bear. We started made by captive bears, to determine had been successful in avoiding discussing the best way to get the whether there are characteristic animals entering the trap inadvert- tiger released safely. My fear was that measurements or defining features ently, there were several species, the snare cable (Aldrich black bear/ that can differentiate these two such as golden jackal, Indian fox, cougar type) would not hold the sympatric species. Claw marks on mongooses and civets that showed tiger for long or might break if it trees are the most common sign that interest in the honey bait used to lunged at us when we approached to bears leave in the forest, and by capture sloth bears. Other species dart it. We had human and tiger which I hope to assess their use of like the gray langur also entered the safety to consider. We summoned various habitats. At a Thai zoo, traps, out of curiosity, tripped the the park riding elephants to use captive bears were successfully snares and escaped, as their feet were them for darting the tiger. Tigers in enticed to climb, encouraged by smaller than the minimum size for Panna are somewhat used to having chicken meat tied to the top of the snare noose. However, there were the riding elphants close by and do standing dead trees in their enclo- frequent false alarms (I used radio not get as agitated as seeing humans sures, leaving claw marks on the way transmitters to send alarms when the on foot. up (and down). So far two Asian traps were triggered). We soon had the park director, black and one sun bear have been Sloth bears sometimes tripped the other staff and two elephants with measured. I hope to sample at least snares but did not get caught because their drivers (mahouts) at the site. seven individuals of each species. they pulled the cubby set down and We safely immobilized the subadult After extensively surveying the entered from the side or did not female tiger, fitted a radio-collar and past three months, through both properly place their feet in the snare. released her (she is still being radio- evergreen and deciduous forests in In that low-density sloth bear area, tracked in Panna). We inspected the Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctu- each miss hurt me badly and I site and found that the tiger had no ary in western Thailand, for two wanted to improve the trap design. reason to go near the trap other than study sites, I have located two Gary made a significant improve- curiosity to inspect the setup, the suitable areas, finally, and will begin ment in my snare setting. sweet-smelling honey or the human research next month.

10 International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 Eurasia Pyrenees Brown Bear Restoration: Five Years After the First Release

Pierre-Yves Quenette killed Mellba on the 27th of 3. Spatial behavior. ONCFS—Equipe Technique Ours September. The two orphans See map on page 12. RN 117 survived. The first adults translocated from 31800 Villeneuve de Riviere, France In 2001, six individuals repre- Slovenia (Ziva and Pyros) are now Email [email protected] sented the Slovenian stock: two spatially stabilized. They regularly adult females and four males. So, use the same valleys from year to 1. Status of Pyrenees bears. the total population size of bears in year. We define two population nuclei, the Pyrenees mountains is about The three young males dispersed the western and the central nuclei, 10-11 bears, with only three over a long distance: for a total estimate of 10 to 11 females. Two males (Boutxy and Kouki) individuals. 2. Results of genetic analysis. moved in 1999 to the east, up to 110 The western nucleus consists of The genetic analyses were done by and 80 km from the natal home the last Pyrenean bears, whose the laboratory of Grenoble Univer- range. Their home ranges overlap numbers have decreased continu- sity (P. Taberlet team). The results are partially. The male Boutxy was ously for several decades (regularly surprising: captured and fitted with an implant- monitored by the National Game Ziva’s two cubs (named Kouki and able transmitter on September 27, and Wildlife Agency since 1975, J.J. Nere) have different fathers: a case of 1999. Camarra). Its size is estimated at multi-paternity already shown with In 2000, one male, Nere, moved to four-to-five individuals, with only the grizzly bear (Craighead L. et al., the west up to 120 km from his natal one adult female identified, two old 1995. J. of Heredity, 86: 255-261). home range. Since May 2001, he has males (at least 20 year-olds), and Pyros, captured and translocated been in the area of the autochtho- one or two young adult males. in 1997, mated with Ziva and Mellba nous bears’ population, on the home The central nucleus represents in 1996 in Slovenia! range of the adult female. So it’s the bears translocated from Pyros mated with Caramelles (his possible that he mated with this Slovenia in 1996 and 1997 (two 3.5 year old daughter) during the female. We will see in spring or adult females Ziva and Mellba, and 2000 breeding season. One of summer 2002…! one adult male, Pyros). Caramelles’ cubs was found dead In 1997, Ziva and Mellba (they June 23, 2001. We assume it was an were pregnant at the time of accident because he was at the capture in Slovenia) gave birth bottom of a 30 m cliff. respectively to two and three cubs (one cub died from natural causes in July 1997). A hunter accidentally

Predation by brown bear on livestock in the Pyrenees—1996-2000

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 Total Number of animals Central nuclei 34 96 100 129 139 498 attributed to the bear (predations Western nuclein 31 38 21 30 48 168 sure or likely) (+115 Nere)*

Number of attacks* Central nuclei 17 62 44 87 86 296 (sure or likely) Western nuclei 16 20 13 21 23 139 (+46 Nere)* * Nere 2000 predation is probably overestimated because old sheep carcasses were attributed to the bear. For the 46 attacks claimed, a maximum of 38 can be attributed with good certainty.

International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 11 Eurasia Pyrenees, cont’d.

4. Predation on domestic livestock. As with many large carnivore conservation programs, predation on livestock is the main problem in the Pyrenees (see table on page 11). There is still strong opposition from the farmers and some local politi- cians who demand that the reintro- duced bears be captured. Many sheep breeders refuse to implement pro- posed measures to reduce the predation (dog protection, financial help to herd the flocks, electric fences…). There is a strong difference in predation between central and western nuclei (three-to-four times higher with the central nucleui, with about the same number of bears). This difference corresponds to the difference in sheep management. In the central Pyrenees there is exten- sive breeding for meat and most often the sheep flocks are not guarded by a shepherd. In the western Pyrenees, the sheep are bred for milk to produce cheese; the flocks are smaller and herded each evening to draw the milk. 5. The future. The future of this bear population is precarious (small size, only three females). Because of the strong local opposition of the farmers and some villages’ mayors, the Ministry of Environment decided that no reintroductions of bears are forecast up to 2003. Presently, the main objectives are to reduce the conflicts with the farmers through better communica- tion with the users and managers of the landscape in order to improve cohabitation with the bears; and to develop the potential positive aspects associated with the bear presence in the framework of sustainable devel- opment (tourism, production of new products, education of the public…).

12 International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 Eurasia Genetic Analysis Improves Romania: Electric Austrian Brown Bear Monitoring Fences and Live- stock Depredation

Georg Rauer demolished by bears. Scats were Annette Mertens WWF Austria collected mainly on forest roads Phone 40 68 367 558 Ottakringerstraße 114-116 during routine monitoring. The Mobile 40 94 35 98 61 A-1160 Vienna, Austria analysis of the samples was carried out Fax 40 68 223 081 Phone 43-676-4446616 by Elisabeth Haring, Luise Email [email protected]; [email protected] Fax 43-1-48817277 Kruckenhauser, and Barbara Däubl of & Email [email protected] the research group for molecular Christoph Promberger systematics at the Museum of Natural Mobile 94 53 27 98 How many bears live in the area of History, Vienna. They used Fax 40 68 223 081 the WWF brown bear restocking microsatellites at seven loci and sex Email [email protected] project in central Austria? What is the specific PCR markers for genetic Carpathian Large Carnivore project percentage of females? Is the level of characterization. Thirty-one hair Str. Dr. Ioan Senchea 162 genetic variation reduced? What are samples (56%) and eight fecal samples 2223 Zarnesti, Romania the family relations of known indi- (30%) contained DNA of good quality Website www.clcp.ro viduals? How many offspring have and allowed identification of 11 sired specific males? Has female genetically distinct individuals: seven The Romanian Carpathians are immigration occurred, too? females and four males. For identifica- home to the biggest bear population We are trying to answer these tion of known bears we included in in Europe outside of Russia. About questions through genetic analysis of the analysis (1) blood and hair samples 5,500 bears (50% of all European the bear population in central Austria. of three bears born and captured in bears) occur in this mountain range In 1989, 1992, and 1993 two female Austria, a rescued orphaned cub, and together with 3,000 wolves and brown bears and one male were one of the shot problem bears and (2) 2,000 lynx. In the same area, of released in an area where a male blood serum samples of the three approximately 70,000 km2, in migrant from the Slovenian bear released bears. Comparison with the summer there are five million sheep. population 200 km away had settled 11 individuals identified in the With these high densities of large on its own in 1972. First reproduction sampling season 2000 showed only carnivores and sheep, large conflicts was observed in 1991 and at least 24 one match: a well known ear-tagged occur. cubs have been born since. The two female, born 1993 and since 1996 In the last four years of our released females died after a few years, producing young every two years. research we found that about 1.5% of one by natural accident and the other Another surprising result was that the all sheep are killed by wolves and an illegal killing. In 1994 two problem male released in 1993 is presumably bears, for an average of about seven bears, not offspring of the released not the father of any of the bears sheep per camp. Considering an females, were shot, showing that identified by the field samples. average market value of 35 euros per migration from the Slovenian popula- Unfortunately the serum samples have sheep, this makes an economic tion, whose northern fringe is expand- not yielded conclusive results for all of damage of 210 euros per camp per ing into southern Austria, is happen- the investigated loci so far. summer, which is only slightly less ing from time to time. Based on the Up to now the analysis can only than the average summer income of collection of data on sightings, tracks, provide some glimpses on the situation a shepherd. Thus, it is significant scats and damages we estimate the of the bear population in central Austria damage. current size of the bear population in and the project needs to be continued. The reduction of livestock con- central Austria to be about 15 to 20 The analysis of the 2001 samples, about flicts is one of the most important individuals but with growing numbers 200 hair and scat samples from the 600 tools to increase people’s acceptance the situation has become more and km2 core area of the population, is of the wild predators. For this reason more confusing. already underway. For 2002 we plan to we decided to test the effectiveness In 2000 we collected 55 hair and 27 get additional samples from areas of of electric fences as a damage fecal samples from a 150 km2 area. We central Austria where bears rarely appear. prevention method, and implement ran seven hair traps from July to We also plan to collect samples in the use of this method among October but they did not prove to be Carinthia, the southern province of Romanian livestock raisers. effective. Most of the hair samples Austria which is regularly visited by In the past two years (2000 and were collected at roe deer feeding sites migrant bears from Slovenia. 2001) we set up eleven electric fences

International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 13 Eurasia Romania, cont’d

at shepherd camps that were particu- request for an electric fence from an satisfy. Thus, our next step is to find larly exposed to attacks of large area outside our study area. In the a way to have fences produced and carnivores. We use mobile fences meantime, we have more requests sold for prices that are affordable to with five wires, mounted on 1.5 m for electric fences than we can Romanian livestock raisers. high plastic posts. The impulse generators are powered by simple 12 V car batteries and generate impulses of about 1 A and 1000 V. This can be variable according to the quality of the grounding. The fences we set up were in use for an average of 76.2 days per camp. During the time livestock was penned, only two sheep were killed, one by wolves and one by a bear. This results in a killing frequency of 0.002 kills per day, which is 38.5 times less (2.59%) than the killing frequency in the camps without fences, of 0.077 kills per day. Even if damage declared by the shepherds in the camps without fences is an overestimation, we still consider this to be a significant difference. Initially we had some problems in finding shepherds who would cooperate with us in testing the electric fences. Most of them were suspicious towards this method. They did not understand why we would give them an electric fence for free. Also, they were not willing to make an effort to learn a new method. To overcome this roadblock we organized meetings to which we invited 50 livestock raisers. We invited also two shepherds that had already used the fences. We set up a fence and gave slide presentations. The two shepherds that had already used the fence told the others about their positive experience with this method: they had no animals killed since installing the fence. As a result of these meetings many livestock raisers got very interested in using this device. Also, through our media activities people in other areas of Romania were informed about what

we are doing. We’ve already had a © Anne Mertens

14 International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 Americas Peru Workshop and Grassroots Success

Bernard Peyton beverage and home commodity wound. Our past president Bruce 2841 Forest Avenue company in Peru; the World Wildlife McLellan (Research Branch of the Berkeley, CA 94705, USA Fund of Peru, Pro Naturaleza; and British Columbia Forest Service), and Phone (510) 549-9661 NAYMLAP, a regional non-profit past treasurer Gordon Warburton Fax (510) 549-3116 organization dedicated to the (North Carolina Wildlife Resources Email [email protected] development of the Department of Commission, North Carolina Lambayeque. Further aid in the form chapter of The Wildlife Society) In your experience, do poor of travel grants, salaries, or donated showed participants telemetry and farmers protect a bear that has been equipment was provided by work- how to census bears and other eating cattle from being shot by shop leaders and their agencies or mammals. Techniques included hunters? Do mining companies organizations as noted below. track stations, automatic cameras, suddenly decide to donate 2400 Approximately 80 people attended and barbed wire traps to collect DNA hectares of bottomland to communi- the meeting, 50 of them for the full six samples from hair. ties because the residents are politi- days. In addition to the provisional park Gordon and Bruce applied their cally too green? These and more guards, attendance included eight IBA skills unexpectedly the first hour amazing events occurred during and members and the heads of the Forest of they arrived in Chaparri. The after a training workshop in the Tumbes, and the National Parks of Cerro caretakers of a guan reintroduction newly created Ecological Reserve of Amotape and Cutervo. Also present were project radioed us as we entered Chaparri in Northern Peru (October the leaders of 11 neighboring communi- the reserve because a rarely seen 6-12, 2001). ties in northern Peru. Regional authori- pampas cat (Oncifelis colocolo) was What made this workshop rare is that ties included the Ecological Police, inside an enclosed section of a it was devoted mainly to training 32 mayors, and lieutenant governors. Six ravine where four pairs of white- local farmers to manage habitat and employees of INRENA, the Peruvian winged guans (Penelope albipenis) wildlife populations. This often ne- government agency responsible for were adapting to a wild existence. glected group of people is the primary managing parks and wildlife attended Almost nothing is known about resource user and has the most stake in the workshop. the pampas cat. The white-winged the outcome of conservation. These The conference was held at the base of guan is so rare it was believed to people were selected by their communi- Chaparri mountain. Two years ago the have been extinct for over 100 ties to be provisional park guards of the site was known only to shamans, years until its rediscovery in 1977 reserves on their land. Additional goals hunters, and cattle grazers. Now it is by Gustavo del Solar, a lemon of the workshop were to improve reached by an 11 km dirt road and has a farmer and hunter. In 20 years he dialogue between the communities, biological research station. Due to this raised over 100 of these birds on regional authorities, and the central workshop, the site now has conference his farm, approximately one-sixth government; and to show foreign space for 100+ people, public latrines, of the entire world population. participants a community-based and a 6500 watt generator. These pairs were the first ones to program that in two years has created Workshop leaders came from four return to the wild. Clearly the cat the first private reserve in Peru (E.R. countries. Lydia Kolter, biologist and had to to be removed from the Chaparri) and has stopped most of the bear husbandry expert from the Koeln enclosure. Gordon and Bruce poaching of bear and deer. Ultimately Zoo, talked about the needs of captive rushed off for this purpose with we hope these dialogues will foster the animals, their value for conservation Javier Vallejos Guerrero, the creation of protected corridors between education, environmental enrichment, caretaker of the captive bears. They conservation units in northern Peru and and protocols for release or reintroduc- returned later, successful, but badly southern Ecuador. tion. Our IBA president Harry scratched by the 2 kg feline The workshop was funded gener- Reynolds (Alaska Department of Fish threshing machine. With the help ously by three IBA members, and by and Game, IUCN/SSC Bear Specialist of Harry and Rob Williams (orni- the Koeln Zoo (Cologne, Germany). Group Chair) taught bear capture and thologist), they made a collar for Additional funds and services were handling techniques and population the cat and then released it. Bruce provided by the community of Santa dynamics. He immobilized Domingo, stayed on a week after the meeting Catalina de Chongoyape where one of five captive bears in Chaparri, with his wife Celine Doyon to Chaparri is located; Backus, a leading to cut his claws and treat a foot radio-track the animal.

International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 15 Americas Peru, cont’d.

Todd Keeler-Wolf (California above the ground. This incident were unable to travel up to two days Department of Fish and Game) led demonstrates how hard it may be to get an authority, should one be participants through rapid vegeta- for these captive birds to adapt to a found at their post. Similar griev- tion surveys used to describe and wild existence. One of the released ances were voiced on the subjects of classify vegetative units. The ulti- birds frequently attacked workshop poor provisions and vehicle support, mate aim of the exercise is to leaders. It was returned to Gustavo’s unclear status of what “provisional” produce vegetative maps for the farm. When a mountain lion meant, and the magnitude of entire region. Robert Williams and showed some interest in a smaller unauthorized grazing, hunting, and biologist Jeremy Flannigan (Pro Aves guan enclosure, Fernando showed logging taking place throughout the Peru) taught how to keep a field workshop participants how to wrap northern coast of Peru. These useful notebook, bird identification from the base of an enclosure with a exchanges of grievances in a neutral sightings and song pattern, and bird portable electric fence (STAFIX atmosphere underscored how census techniques. They told work- maxi-grazer). These units put out important these meetings can be. shop participants that dry forests are 8000 volts on four D-sized batteries Peruvian law is vague and impractical among the highest priority sites for and are increasingly popular with about powers of arrest, seizure of conservation because of the high campers who ring their campsites to timber or hunted animals, and degree of endemism found in them. keep out bears. rewards for doing so. As a result of We were all impressed by the 100+ Pablo Venegas, a veterinary this meeting we think we are closer species that were known to inhabit student (National University of to finding a solution. the dry forest of Chaparri. But we Pedro Ruiz Gallo) was almost as Gordon adds, “The workshop were more impressed to learn 35 of strange a sight to me as the guan. leaders were very impressed with these species are found nowhere else. When rural people in Peru see a the enthusiasm and thirst for This same pattern of endemism is snake, they kill it. Pablo doesn’t kill knowledge displayed by Peruvian apparent in other taxa. Chaparri snakes. He loves snakes and is quite campesinos. The workshop attend- offers a rare opportunity. By focusing an expert on their identification ees really enjoyed all that we taught conservation efforts on species with and behavior. He spoke eloquently them and seemed eager to learn large needs of space such as bears, we about the need to conserve these about wildlife conservation and can maximize the number of conspe- members of our community as he techniques for studying wildlife. cifics that receive some form of toyed with a venomous endemic We were almost overwhelmed by protection. The existence of three to viper (Bothrops barnetti) and 2.5 the sense of hope they had that four new bird species were identified meter endemic boa (Constrictos conservation and ecotourism would by the local participants from slides ortonii). Workshop participants got lead to a new economy and a new Rob and Jeremy showed. to see both snakes released back way of life. I know that every Fernando Angulo (Asociacion into the reserve which symbolized instructor went away from this Cracidea, Peru) explained how the that the reserve was for all wildlife. workshop feeling a sense of accom- white-winged guan was being Perhaps the best part of the plishment and that we did some- reintroduced in Chaparri, its native workshop were the informal thing positive for wildlife and for habitat. This reclusive 2 kg-member discussions generated by the talks the people who live in and near of the curassow family is almost given by INRENA participants. The Chaparri. We left the participants never seen except for 15 minutes at relationship between government with a fervent desire to conserve dawn when it descends to drink. It and communities is an open wildlife and wildlife habitat. lives in a few ravines in the dry forest question, particularly where private The closing ceremony was of northern Peru. It spends most of reserves are concerned. During a attended by dignitaries from the its time in thick ravine vegetation. talk given by Daniel Ascencios and Department of Lambayeque. Their Fernando was excited when several Jeanette Salazar on the classification energy was infectious as one leader weeks after the conference a pair of of Peru’s national park system, the after another spoke of the future released guans were sitting on eggs. provisional park guards said that and importance of conservation in However a predator such as a fox, they had no clear powers to arrest that future.” A highlight was when tayra, or boa quickly ate the eggs anyone caught hunting or clearing the Chief of the Forestry Police because the nest was only a meter timber on their lands. They said they awarded a workshop diploma to a

16 International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 Americas Andean Bears in Ecuador

participant who hunted bears and nity development. When the com- Armando X. Castellanos P. deer. This individual spoke elo- munity leaders learned the real Ecuadorian Andean Bear Project quently at the workshop about the purpose they arranged to take the Fundacion Espiritu del Bosque need to preserve these species. The company to court. The purpose was Reina Victoria 17-37 y La Pinta combination of peer pressure and to build a station to pump slurry Quito, Ecuador being included may influence this from the sierra to the coast. Poten- Phone 593-9-9360129 individual to stop hunting until tially that would have contaminated Fax 593-2-2504452 populations recover. Many partici- the artesian aquifer that residents Email [email protected] pants voiced the need for similar depend on. The company also had workshops in their community and their mine condemned when faults getting together next year to com- were discovered in the cachement pare progress. basin. Paul Warner, a company The immediate results of the spokesman, saw our bears in their workshop were very gratifying. A enclosure. He was so impressed he week after the workshop, a group of talked with the company executives. 10 hunters were stopped by the The result was that the company residents of Santa Catalina de donated millions of dollars worth of Chongoyape from hunting a bear land to the community. Several they believed killed a bull and a cow weeks later we received news that in a nearby ravine (Las Pampas). This Chaparri was first in a field of 600 operation required a lot of coordina- applicants to receive a United tion because the hunters entered Nations Small Grant Award for from different locations at night. $50,000. The money will be spent on Gordon said “It is more likely that training, the drafting of the park before the workshop, a bear would master plan, and reintroducing the have been shot to avenge these guanaco (Lama guanicoe) that once depredations.” We are building with thrived on Peru’s northern coast. many small acts the thinking that Our foreign participants learned

will protect bears. how community-based conservation © Armando Castellanos We also formed a board of direc- can achieve results, however modest. Andean bear, “Porraca,” tors and scientific advisory board to We hope they transfer those lessons with Armando Castellanos. the Chaparri program. Their role is to benefit other areas and people on to help draft a reserve master plan, the agricultural frontier. Efforts Several years ago, I shared with advise project leaders on all matters toward that end include the future the IBA that we captured a female biological, and lend some credibility publishing of a wildlife techniques Andean bear in the Reserva Alto- to the program to potential donors. manual geared to be used by local Choco in Ecuador. Our objectives are The board identified priority field communities. We will be compiling to evaluate Andean bear ecology projects. One project (an initial and editing that manual in the with the use of radio-telemetry. census of bears from sign presence) coming year. Doing more with less is Recently, we captured our second was funded while the workshop was the essence of conservation. IBA, its bear, a subadult female, which we in progress. Currently the advisory member participants, and the other also equipped with a radio. I am board is drafting plans to radio-mark sponsors of this workshop have principal investigator of the bear a few spectacled bears this fall. everything to be proud of. I thank project in Alto Choco. With the task In December, a mining company Heinz Plenge, his family, and the of following the bears, it will be owned by BHP Billiton gave the community of Sta. Catalina for important to become familiar with community of Sta. Catalina 2400 hosting the workshop. Special thanks their habits and to understand what hectares of land they owned between also to our workshop leaders and to they need to survive. Because I am the two halves of the E.R. Chaparri. Gordon and Lydia for their edit of partially funding this project on my The mining company had bought this report. own, I would appreciate your ideas the land on the pretenses of commu- and contacts to obtain funds.

International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 17 Americas Venezuela: Andean Bear Project

Denis Torres Fundacion AndigenA Apartado Postal 210 Mérida 5101-A Edo. Mérida, Venezuela Email [email protected] Website www.andigena.cjb.net and www.spectacledbear.org

This year, our Andean Bear Project celebrates 15 years of arduous conservation work in Venezuela. All our activities have been distinguished by professional- ism demonstrated through our scientific and popular publications, besides our annual reports. Never- theless, although we have made situation has caused us to declare “The Spectacled Bear Comes to much progress, the Andean bear an emergency. School,” which has not received continues to be an endangered Our actions have been always economic support for two years species in our country. limited because so much effort must despite being very successful. We Our work has been quite hard, be devoted to fundraising and it have been forced to suspend this especially because in a developing makes it difficult to sustain our program despite the numerous country as Venezuela, the economic conservation activities. requests from schoolteachers to bring support for conservation initiatives Such is the case for our environ- the program to their students. is very scarce or non-existent. This mental education program entitled: We are hoping for help in saving the Andean bear. Any help is wel- come, from one dollar up to funding for a GPS unit or a computer. Our Andean bear project is as threatened as the species that we are trying to protect. Andean bears are in grave danger of becoming restricted to areas which severely limit their ability to function normally. Already these beautiful creatures are classi- fied as “vulnerable” by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and are on CITES Appendix I and all trade is banned. Bears are killed because they are thought to prey on valuable livestock or trample crops. Only 20 percent of its diet is carnivorous. Kills attributed to bears are usually

© Denis Torres

© Denis Torres

18 International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 Americas

the result of attacks by other predators such as pumas and jaguars. The truth lies elsewhere, inextri- cably bound up with the folklore and mysticism of a rural people. Killing a bear confers on the “victor” all the enormous strength of the victim and the victor’s status in the community rises accordingly. All the bear’s organs are thought to contain magical properties and nothing is wasted; for example, the fat is believed to cure wounds, traumas, rheumatism and arthritis. The meat, too, is highly valued for its taste. It is not surprising that huge sums change hands in this trade. destruction for both bears and Killing a bear is illegal, but the law humans. Distributing educational Andean Bear Website is ignored. Hunting provides income materials and giving talks in schools to families in a country where the and universities to awaken public Denis Alexander Torres economic outlook is bleak. interest, catch the imagination of the Email [email protected] Increasing numbers of people and people and enlist their cooperation. Website http://andigena.cjb.net and their unrelenting poverty inevitably In a country where day-to-day www.spectacledbear.org mean that large areas of forest are survival takes up all the people’s time & cleared; felled timber is used as and energy, conservation issues are Isaac Goldstein firewood and crops are grown on the generally very low priority so the Email [email protected] land. The result is pockets of remain- enormity of the task should not be ing forest imprisoning the bears, underestimated. Working to save the Recently we updated the website restricting their food supply and Andean bear will eventually bring on the spectacled bear in Venezuela. chances of finding a suitable mate. benefits to people. We have included new information Where so few creatures remain, every Saving the bears and their habitat in each section and especially in the kill significantly reduces the chances will help save the forests which will evolution section. We want to thank of the species as a whole surviving. save the watersheds from which paleontologist Leopoldo Soibelzon Saving Andean bears is a complex waters, vital to irrigate the lands, for his valuable help in reference to and daunting task. Our goals are: flow; and will save the low-land soil information and images of skulls of • Identifying the number and from erosion so that the land will South American fossil bears. location of bears. continue to support agriculture. Please check the website and send • Determining what threats they The Andean bear is our flagship us your comments. face in each area. species in Venezuela; the symbol The site is available in Spanish: • Obtaining a vehicle to facilitate around which all our conservation www.osofrontino.org field work and provide access to rural efforts are focused in the Andes. and English: areas for environmental education Please help lay this cornerstone for www.spectacledbear.org. activities. conservation in Venezuela so that we • Finding a portable computer in ourselves may build upon it in the which to store and analyze field data. future. Thank you very much! • Continuing educational activi- ties about the status of Andean bears and the consequences of habitat

© Denis Torres

International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 19 Americas Western USA

Shannon Podruzny Our specific objectives are to: 1). Grand Teton National Park Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team Document the history of human- USGS Northern Rocky Mountain black bear incidents in Yosemite in a Deborah O’Neill Science Center GIS format; 2). Quantify black bear Wildlife Conservation Society/ Forestry Sciences Lab, MSU seasonal habitat use, activity pat- Hornocker Wildlife Institute Bozeman, MT 59717, USA terns, and movements relative to P.O. Box 395 Phone (406) 994-2607 human activities; 3). Describe black Moose, Wyoming 83012, USA Email [email protected] bear food habits to quantify the Phone (307) 732-0899 consumption of non-native vegeta- Email [email protected] Please send any news from the tion and human foods; 4). Identify western USA or southwestern Canada locations of chronic “non bear- In cooperation with Grand Teton to the address above. proof” trash/recycling problems. National Park (GTNP), and USGS-BRD, A GIS database of the history of the Hornocker Wildlife Institute (HWI) Human-Black Bear Studies human-black bear incidents in initiated a new American black bear in Two National Parks Yosemite Valley will be developed. research project in GTNP in July 2001. These incidents will be stratified The primary focus of the research Yosemite National Park based on their proximity to particu- effort is to develop an understanding lar human activities in Yosemite of the components and interactions of John J. Beecham Valley. Radio telemetry generated the human-bear management system Hornocker Wildlife Institute/ locations will be used to assess black in GTNP, to provide specific recom- Wildlife Conservation Society bear habitat use. Twenty-four hour mendations for improving bear 2723 N. Lakeharbor Lane monitoring periods will be used to management in GTNP, and to develop Boise, ID 83703, USA assess black bears’ activity patterns predictive models that will help Phone & Fax (208) 853-1901 and movements. Black bear locations identify potential human-black bear Cell (208) 859-5344 will be stratified based on their conflict zones in GTNP. The project proximity to human activities in will also provide data on black bear The Hornocker Wildlife Institute, Yosemite Valley. Transect collection population demographics, move- a program of the Wildlife Conserva- and standard scat analysis tech- ments, activity patterns, and habitat tion Society, began a three-year niques will be used to assess black use in an area of GTNP where overlap research project in June of 2000 on bear food habits. Systematic and between grizzly bears and black bears the American black bear population opportunistic observations will be is minimal. These data are essential to of Yosemite National Park (YNP), used to monitor trash/recycling units the current GTNP-USGS-BRD research California, USA. Yosemite has a long in Yosemite Valley. Data will be effort to fully evaluate impacts of the and well known history of docu- entered into a GIS to spatially expanding grizzly bear population on mented human-black bear incidents. identify areas of chronic “non bear- black bears in GTNP and the possible A record number of these incidents proof” trash/recycling problems. implications for human-black bear was recorded in 1998, with bears Coupled with additional GIS data, conflicts in the future. An evaluation causing over $600,000 in property analyses will lead to management of the human and bear elements in damage. The overall goal of the recommendations for YNP to reduce GTNP also offers a unique opportunity current research is to develop specific human-bear conflicts in existing and to characterize and compare manage- management recommendations for future areas of human activity. ment programs in GTNP with those in YNP designed to reduce human-bear Yosemite National Park, where HWI is conflicts as they relate to future conducting a similar black bear Yosemite Valley infrastructure research project. These studies will changes and ensure the long-term result in proactive management survival of wild black bear popula- strategies to ensure the long-term tions in the park. welfare of the black bear population, and reasonable visitor safety. The project is expected to continue through summer 2006.

20 International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 Americas

Yellowstone Ecosystem female deaths since the 1980s. Al- bears do move into low-elevation Grizzly Bears 2001: though the 2001 female mortality level is areas, they often end up on private Doing Well, but ... the highest in 20 years, it is a much- lands where food and garbage storage reduced percentage of the population issues are a problem. Mark A. Haroldson compared to the 1980s, as represented The whitebark pine cone crop was USGS Northern Rocky Mountain by the annual unduplicated females with poor in the southern part of the Science Center cubs. Adult females are key to the ecosystem where many of the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team continued health of the Yellowstone conflicts occurred. Whitebark pine Forestry Sciences Lab, MSU population and we make every effort to cone production on the 19 transects P.O. Box 172780 minimize adult female deaths. While the across the ecosystem averaged 25.5 Bozeman MT 59717-2780, USA number of females that died in 2001 was cones per tree in 2001. Near exclu- Phone (406) 994-5042 high, it should be recognized that the sive fall use of whitebark pine seed Fax (406) 994-6416 Yellowstone ecosystem grizzly popula- by grizzly bears occurs during years Email [email protected] tion continues to expand in both in which mean cone production numbers and range. exceeds 20 cones per tree. Grizzly The Yellowstone ecosystem Two of the management removals bears throughout most of the subcommitte reports there were 42 were due to cattle depredations. Another Yellowstone Ecosystem, except the unduplicated females with cubs counted was due to a combination of sheep southern areas, should have found in the Yellowstone ecosystem during depredations, property damage, and an abundance of whitebark pine 2001. All of the females were within the garbage. Eleven bears were removed due cones in fall 2001. area where population data are recorded to chronic property damage and use of In the southeastern corner of the in and around the Yellowstone recovery garbage and human-related foods. Of ecosystem, an apparent abundance zone. This is a new record high number these 11 bears, three were cubs removed of army cutworm moths will likely of females seen with cubs, seven higher with their mothers who were teaching compensate for the poor whitebark than the previous high seen in 1998 and them to eat garbage and/or enter cone production. Large numbers of 2000. There were at least 78 cubs buildings. Cubs who learn such behav- grizzly bears were observed at insect observed with these 42 females in 2001, iors from their mother are likely to aggregation sites. a new record high number. These 2001 continue to seek food at human use sites The Yellowstone ecosystem numbers continue upward trends in the as they grow older. The loss of these managers will increase efforts to most reliable indicators of Yellowstone family groups of bears was particularly work with private landowners to grizzly bear population status. disturbing. All of these 11 bears using emphasize making human-related There have been 16 known and garbage and entering buildings got into foods unavailable to bears so bear- probable human-caused mortalities in trouble on private lands. This highlights human conflicts are minimized the 14,481 square mile area where the need for increased agency efforts to along with the resulting deaths of mortalities are counted and compared encourage private landowners to bears. People need to do what is to the mortality limits in the Grizzly properly store foods and garbage so they necessary to store food and garbage Bear Recovery Plan. Of these 16 deaths are not available to bears. As the properly while using public lands (9 males, 7 females), 14 were the result Yellowstone grizzly population and to secure attractants on private of management removals after continues to expand in numbers and lands throughout the Yellowstone conflicts with human activity. A distribution, we expect more grizzly ecosystem. vehicle along the North Fork of the bears to be on private lands, making The Yellowstone ecosystem Shoshone Highway hit another bear, ongoing food and garbage storage on managers include Yellowstone and and the remaining death is still under these lands a primary management Grand Teton National Parks; the investigation. In addition to these 16 concern if we are to minimize bear- Shoshone, Bridger-Teton, Targhee, deaths, in April an American black human conflicts in the future. Gallatin, Beaverhead-Deerlodge, and bear hunter in Wyoming illegally The dry conditions in 2001 likely Custer National Forests; the game killed an adult male grizzly bear. increased the number of nuisance bear and fish departments of the states of Of the human-caused management incidents as some bears were forced to Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, the removals, five were adult females, use low-elevation areas where moisture Fish and Wildlife Service; and the making 2001 the year of highest adult and foods were more abundant. When U.S. Geological Survey.

International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 21 Americas Southwest USA

Diana Doan-Crider 1992, this study was initiated and We conducted field investigations Mexican Black Bear Project funded by the New Mexico Depart- on two study areas. The Northern Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Res. Inst. ment of Game and Fish (NMDGF), in Study Area (NSA) was located in the MSC 218 partnership with Hornocker Wildlife Sangre de Cristo Mountains of Texas A&M University-Kingsville Institute, Ecosystem Modeling, and northern New Mexico. It was ap- Kingsville, TX 78363-8202, USA the New Mexico Cooperative Fish proximately 310 km2 and was Phone (361) 593-3042 and Wildlife Research Unit. The comprised of private and state lands. Email [email protected] overall goal was to study the ecology The Southern Study Area (SSA) was and population dynamics of black located in the Mogollon Mountains If you have news from Arizona, bears for developing methods and of west-central New Mexico, an area New Mexico, west and central Texas, analytical tools to help estimate and of 420 km2 and within the Gila or Mexico, we’d love to hear from predict trends in population size and National Forest. you! Send your summaries of in- structure in New Mexico, as influ- Field data were collected using progress research, final summaries, or enced by human-caused mortality capture, den investigation, and current management issues to the and environmental variation. radio-telemetry techniques. Between above address. The first component of the study September 1992 and June 2000, we was an eight-year, field-based captured 300 bears (103 females, 195 New Mexico Black Bear investigation of bear ecology within males, 2 unknown sex) 517 times, Study, Final Report two study areas situated in prime and observed 339 bears in dens (178 bear habitat. Primary objectives were females, 137 males, 24 unknown sex) Cecily Costello to estimate black bear reproductive on 680 occasions. We placed 409 Hornocker Wildlife Institute/ and survival rates, especially as radio-transmitters on 239 bears (127 Wildlife Conservation Society related to mast production and females, 112 males), and obtained Email [email protected] human-caused mortality, and to 5,723 radio-telemetry locations. validate the cementum annuli Reproductive data were obtained The final report, Costello, C.M., method for aging bears in New during 268 den investigations of 80 D.E. Jones, K.A. Green-Hammond, Mexico. Secondary objectives were to female bears 4-27 years old. Mean R.M. Inman, K.H. Inman, B.C. examine patterns of denning, home age at production of the first litter Thompson, R.A. Deitner, and H.B. range, movements, habitat use, and was 5.7 years and most females Quigley. 2001. A study of black bear population density between study (73%) produced their first litter ecology in New Mexico with models for areas and among sex-age categories. either at age 5 or 6 years. Natality of population dynamics and habitat The final objective was to extrapolate female bears ≥4 years old was 0.77 suitability. Final Report, Federal Aid study area characteristics to identify cubs/female/year and percent of in Wildlife Restoration Project W- suitable habitat across New Mexico females with cubs was 43% (n=268). 131-R, New Mexico Department of using a GIS. Among previously reproductive Game and Fish, Santa Fe. 197pp. is The second component involved females, natality was 1.4 cubs/ available from: William Dunn, New analyses of existing NMDGF harvest female/year and percent of females Mexico Department of Game and data and development of a popula- with cubs was 77% (n=112). Litter Fish, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM tion model. The objectives were to size ranged from 1-3 cubs and mean 87507, USA. determine relationships between the litter size was 1.8 cubs (n=115). During the early 1990s, interpreta- harvest sample and the sex-age Observed litter interval ranged from tion of New Mexico American black composition of study populations, 1-3 years and mean litter interval was bear (Ursus americanus) harvest data and to determine relationships 1.8 years (n=69). Overall cub survival was stymied by the realization that among weather variables, mast rate for 148 cubs from 82 litters was increasing, stable, and decreasing production, and bear population 55%. Recruitment of females ≥5 years population trend were all plausible characteristics; and to develop a old was 0.40 yearlings/female/year explanations for observed changes in population/environmental/hunt and percent of females with yearlings harvest data. Information was model and to integrate the model was 27% (n=232). Recruitment of needed to interpret these data and into management application. determine the population status. In

22 International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 Americas

previously reproductive females was 177 bears, observed den emergence tribal lands. Statewide, 17% of 0.53 yearlings/female/year and dates ranged from 21 March-5 June. predicted bear habitat was within 5 percent of females with yearlings was Adult males emerged earliest (mean km of human-populated areas. 35% (n=175). date=18 April); females with year- We obtained a statewide popula- Reproductive success was evalu- lings, lone females, and subadult tion estimate of about 6,000 bears ≥1 ated on the basis of mast production males emerged next (mean date=28 year old, by extrapolating density by 10 surveyed species. Failure of April); and females with cubs estimates to predicted primary acorn (Quercus spp.) and juniper emerged the latest (mean date=7 habitat. This estimate was similar to berry (Juniperus spp.) crops was May). Comparing study areas, the an independent estimate of 5,200 associated with decreased natality, schedule of denning dates was derived from population modeling. cub survival, and recruitment. approximately 2 weeks earlier for den Analyses of harvest data from Neither natality nor recruitment entrance and 2 weeks later for 1985-1999 indicated bear hunters varied following poor to good mast emergence on the NSA than the SSA. consistently harvested more males production, suggesting only a Male bears had significantly larger than females. The female proportion minimum threshold of quality food home ranges and activity radii than of annual statewide harvest ranged is needed for successful reproduction. female bears. For both sexes, move- from 29 to 46%. Hunters aided with During 1999-2000, NMDGF officers ments increased during the mast dogs had higher success rates and subjectively evaluated mast produc- season, when foraging for acorns and harvested 4 times as many female tion statewide. Evaluations were other mast dominated activity. bears per hunter as those not using highly correlated with our survey During years of oak failure, mean dogs. Later fall seasons were associ- results, indicating subjective criteria activity radii were larger than during ated with lower total harvest and were adequate to distinguish varia- other years. Dispersal away from lower proportions of females in the tion in mast production. Document- natal areas was observed for 4 males harvest, compared to earlier fall ing annual mast production, espe- monitored until age 4, but none was seasons and spring seasons. Failures cially the occurrence and frequency observed for 8 females. Nuisance and in oak production were associated of oak failures, may be an effective depredation activity was associated with increases in hunter effort, index to bear reproductive success. with availability of human-related hunter success, and the proportion Observed annual survival rates for foods, especially garbage. Monitoring of females in the kill. adult and subadult females were of translocated nuisance bears Accuracy and consistency of the above 90%, and rates of adult and indicated subadult bears, particularly cementum annuli aging technique subadult males were above 80% males, were less likely to exhibit appeared adequate for assessing the (n=591 bear-years). Most mortality of homing behavior than adult bears. age composition of annual hunter- adults and subadults was human- Bear density appeared to be higher killed bears and reporting of sex caused, including hunter, depreda- on the NSA (17.0/100 km2) than the appeared to be accurate. However, tion, illegal, and automobile kills. SSA (9.4/100 km2), but the sex-age analyses indicated harvest data were Observed yearling survival was composition was very similar for the incomplete, underestimating the variable, ranging from 75%-97% by two study areas. Adult females annual bear kill by as much as 7%. sex and study area (n=72). Among constituted approximately 30% of Using observed reproductive and yearlings, most mortality was from study populations and adult males survival rates, the bear population natural causes, but human-caused accounted for 15-19%. model indicated study populations mortality also was observed. Using the habitat model, we were either stable or slightly increas- Among 179 bears observed on predicted suitable black bear habitat ing. Use of the model will allow for both study areas, reported den across approximately 59,000 km2 interpretation of recent demographic entrance dates ranged from 25 (14.6 million acres), of which 75% trends in New Mexico bear popula- September-7 February. The majority was comprised of primary cover tions, a timely indication of poten- of bears entered dens between mid- types. Nearly 50% of the predicted tial overharvest, and predictive October and mid-November. Mean habitat was U.S. Forest Service lands, scenarios useful for selecting from entrance date of pregnant females 33% was private lands, and 10% was several management options. was 29 October, while that of all other bears was 6 November. Among

International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 23 Americas Northcentral USA

Pam Coy over 25 years the DNR has given increasing the number of hunters. Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources successful bear hunters a postage- Since the quota system was instituted Forest Wildlife Populations and paid, pre-addressed envelope for in 1982, the bear season had started Research Group them to submit a tooth sample from on September 1, but in 2000 and 1201 East Highway 2 their harvested bear. Envelopes were 2001 the season opened on August Grand Rapids, MN 55744, USA designed with input from the local 23 and August 22, respectively. The Phone (218) 327-4432 post office and met specifications early opener was intended to give Fax (218) 327-4181 required by the United States Postal hunters more opportunity to harvest Email [email protected] Service. However, the DNR was bears before grouse hunters took to informed that envelopes that met the woods and before bears started Send your news from the specifications in the past do not denning. Additionally, in 2001, the northcentral USA or southcentral necessarily meet current ones. bag limit was increased from one Canada to the address above. Samples were only delivered after bear to two. The DNR didn’t expect discussion with postal officials at the many hunters would actually take Minnesota: state level and an agreement that the two bears but thought they’d be less United States Post Office process would be reviewed before the apt to pass up a small bear while Refuses to Deliver Bear bear season in 2002, including waiting for a trophy bear, thus Tooth Samples review by a bio-hazard committee. harvesting one bear instead of none. An outbreak of anthrax in cattle in Ten percent of successful hunters northwestern Minnesota during the Bear Harvest actually took two bears. Hunting summer of 2001 prompted the with Two Bear Limit success was 27 percent, which Minnesota Department of Natural Minnesota hunters harvested matched the average bear hunting Resources (DNR) pathologist to issue 4,945 bears during the 2001 season, success rate for the past 10 years. a news release warning bear hunters nearly equal to the record harvest of The management goal in Minne- in that region to take proper precau- 4,956 taken in 1995. The harvest sota has been to stabilize the bear tions when handling bear carcasses, goal was 6,000, however, meeting population, which has been growing even though the chance of encoun- this harvest objective was thought to at about six percent per year, and is tering a bear with anthrax was be unlikely unless the natural food now at about 30,000. Further extremely remote. The previous year, supply was really poor. analysis and public input will be bear hunters were cautioned because Minnesota bear harvests are conducted before it is determined of an outbreak of anthrax in south- related to fall food availability, bears whether the early season or the two- ern Manitoba (see International Bear are more easily attracted to hunters’ bear limit will be continued. News, November 2000, page 16). The baits during years when fall foods are news release was read by an em- poor, and the number of hunters. ployee of the Grand Rapids post Throughout most of the bear range, office (the town where tooth samples the number of hunters is controlled are processed) and the postmistress by a quota system. In the past, decided that they would not deliver increased harvest objectives meant tooth envelopes to their final increasing the number of licenses destination, even though other post available. However, more hunters offices in the state had already result in more congestion and handled them. (All of this happened interference, and lower hunting prior to September 11th with its success per individual. At some attendant real threat of bio-terrorism point, increasing the number of and the subsequent use of the postal hunters may actually reduce the service to deliver anthrax-tainted harvest. mail). The postmistress thought the Over the past two years, the DNR samples might constitute a bio- has experimented with the season hazard as some envelopes had dried starting date and the bag limit to try blood on the outside of them. For to increase the bear harvest without

© Catherine Norkin

24 International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 Americas Northeast USA Florida

Craig McLaughlin New Hampshire Thomas H. Eason Maine Department of Inland Record Harvest Florida Fish and Wildlife Fisheries and Wildlife New Hampshire’s 2001 bear Conservation Commission 650 State St. season is one for the record books. Bryant Building Bangor, Maine 04401-5609, USA Results are unofficial, but reports 620 South Meridian Street Phone (207) 941-4472 indicate bear hunters killed 524 bears Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600, USA Fax (207) 941-4443 (304 males, 220 females), surpassing Phone (850) 413-7379 Email [email protected] the previous record of 499 bears set Fax (850) 921-1847 in 1999. New Hampshire is divided Email [email protected] All is quiet in the northeast USA into six bear management regions— regarding bear management. Send three of which have populations that The U.S. District Court for the news from the northeast USA and are at/near established goals and District of Columbia ruled on the case southeast Canada to the address three have populations above brought by Defenders of Wildlife, et al. above. established goals. Distribution of the against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 2001 harvest appears to be in concert Service (USFWS) regarding listing of Maine Harvest with biologists’ regional targets and the Florida black bear (Ursus Maine’s 2001 American black bear hopefully will at least stabilize two of americanus floridanus). The court said harvest was 3,903 bears, slightly three regional populations that are the decision by the USFWS not to list lower than the record harvest of above their goal. the Florida black bear was substanti- 3,951 bears recorded during the 2000 New Hampshire’s bear season ated on four of five listing criteria, but bear season. The Department of includes bait and dog seasons. Bait was unsubstantiated on one. The court Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has hunters killed 169 bears (105 males, decided that the USFWS had not adopted new management objectives 64 females), dog hunters killed 63 addressed the issue of whether the for black bear. These objectives were bears (36 males, 27 females), and still inadequacy of existing regulatory recommended by a public working hunters/stalkers killed 292 bears (163 mechanisms warranted listing the group consisting of representatives males, 129 females). Bait hunters set Florida black bear as a federally from various interest groups within a record for the third consecutive threatened species. Therefore, the Maine. The new objectives will guide year and more than doubled their decision to list was remanded to bear management through 2015. five-year average harvest of 82 bears. USFWS for further agency proceedings. They include a population objective Dog and still hunters also surpassed The implications of this ruling are not of 23,000 bears, the estimated their five year-average harvests of 51 yet clear. The court upheld the biological population size in spring 2001. and 211 bears, respectively. The findings of the USFWS, which indicated During 2002, the agency’s bear heaviest reported male was 494 that the Florida black bear would management system will be reviewed pounds (ties the state record) and the continue to exist at population levels and updated to improve population heaviest female was 282 pounds adequate to ensure the perpetuation of monitoring and refine assessment of (state record is 309 pounds). the subspecies. However, the court did the impact of harvests on population Contributed by Kip Adams, New not believe that the USFWS had ad- growth. Hampshire Bear/Deer Project Leader. equately documented the effectiveness of existing regulations to protect the Florida black bear. The USFWS is reviewing the ruling and determining how to proceed. The Florida black bear is listed as state endangered in Mississippi, threatened in Florida (where many populations seem to be rebounding from historic lows), and as a game species in Alabama and Georgia. There are no legal hunting seasons in Alabama, but bears are hunted in Georgia around Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.

International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 25 Americas Improved Black Bear Live Trap

Ivan Filion tions of the trigger pedal, injuries to Email [email protected] bears’ paws, claws and teeth; cumber- & some handling of the sedated bears; Josef Hamr and potential injury to children or Email [email protected] bear cubs standing in the doorway Northern Environmental when the trap is triggered. Heritage Institute Design Parameters: The new trap Cambrian College of was designed to include: Applied Arts and Technology —simplified triggering mechanisms, 1400 Barrydowne Road —injury free see-through meshing, Sudbury, Ontario P3A 3V8, Canada —front and back access, to accelerate downward when released. Phone (705) 566-8101 —unobstructed interior, Once passed its resting position a Fax (705) 524-9582 —cool interior climate, counter moment overrides causing the Website www.cambrianc.on ca —spring free, soft impact door closure. door to decelerate before latching to Trap Description: Mounted on its the back frame. The result is a softly Introduction: Live trapping and own trailer, the trap measures 40 in. x locking door that eliminates any relocating nuisance American black 40 in. x 8 ft and is constructed from 14 potential injury to bears or people. bears has been a common practice gauge plate steel for the top and Bears can be safely released from inside across North America for decades. bottom and 1/2” x 13 flat expanded the tow vehicle by pulling the ropes During this period, the traps were mesh for the sides. The solid plates attached to the latch hooks. Once free, designed and constructed without protect the bears from the sun and the door returns to its 45-degree quality control and standard technical rain and permit easy cleaning. The side resting position creating an opening specifications. Consequently, traps mesh is small enough to prevent the for the bear. varied in shape, triggering mechanism, bears from catching their claws and A stainless steel cable joined to the construction materials and workman- canines in the openings while allow- trigger level that holds the door in the ship. Traps were commonly con- ing the handlers to see the bear at all set position is guided to the front of structed from large culverts with heavy times. Numerous 1 3/4” holes at the cage through a 1/2” pipe conduit spring loaded doors. The triggering different heights in the side mesh welded to the outside of the side mesh. mechanism consisted of complex permit easy access to the bears for A bait bag is attached to the front end pulley systems, wide meshed grating, immobilization. of the cable. Pulling on the bait bag exposed guy wires and a large treadle A door at each end significantly unlatches the back door. When the pedal inside the trap. Although improves the removal of tranquilized bear enters the cage, it must move all functional, some these designs had animals and allows the floor to be the way to the front in order to reach problems including, frequent malfunc- cleaned with a power washer. The trap the bait. This greatly improves the is baited via the trap’s effectiveness by reducing the front door avoid- incidence of startled bears escaping ing the need to before the door closes. Bait scent climb into the propagation is enhanced by position- cage. The back ing it against the front and side door is hinged at meshes. the top. Counter- Conclusion: The improved bear weights are used to trap has been field tested during the allow the door to past two summers throughout north- rest at a 45-degree ern Ontario and has successfully angle when captured several hundred bears with unlatched. When no reported injuries to bears or people. the door is raised The demand for this new design is to its set position, a steadily increasing. Please contact us if returning moment you would like detailed plans or prevails causing it assistance in building a trap.

26 International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 Zoo News Polar Bear Management in Central Park, New York

S.H. Euing on-exhibit or off-exhibit, which has “bear log” which acts as a float initially, Zoological Society of San Diego air conditioning and an indoor pool. then steadily sinks as it takes on water P.O. Box 7683 Water in the exhibit flows from a over 3 to 4 days. The log caused a slight San Diego, CA 92167-0683, USA waterfall to a stream and into a 60-ft- increase in activity over the existing Email [email protected] long x 14 ft-deep pool. The water is enrichment program, and the bears Fax (619) 222-4118 filtered and biocontrolled using frequently showed pouncing behavior ozone sterilization, which permits with it. This column features captive bear live fish to be used as enrichment. We have also added a training management and highlights husbandry, The bear exhibit also has a commer- component. Trained behaviors include habitat design, enrichment, training and cial ice machine capable of deliver- come inside, mouth-open, present paw, management techniques from animal ing up to one-half ton of cubed ice to lie down, lean in, and other behaviors keepers, trainers, researchers and the stream “headwaters” daily during designed to make veterinary procedures curators. My goal is to enhance informa- the warm months (soon to be year and husbandry less stressful. Training is tion sharing between captive and wild round). We are working on a water done both in holding and exhibit areas bear managers, for the benefit of ursids. current for the pool, and are evaluat- and the primary concern is safety for The following is excerpted from ing different water enrichments for bears and people. comments by Donald Moore, Animal all of our marine mammals. Blueber- A new habitat enrichment is softening Curator, WCS/Central Park Zoo, 830 ries and other small, low-calorie the bears’ exhibit substrates, originally Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA. foods are hidden in the ice pile to built from gunnite concrete with pockets increase foraging possibilities for the for plants and dirt. Gravel and similar The Wildlife Conservation Society bears. materials were dragged into the pool and (WCS) operates four New York zoos, Holes designed in the artificial clogged filters, dirtying the water, so we including the Bronx Zoo and the New rockwork are used to hide forage have tried sphagnum moss, tanbark, York Aquarium, and has over 300 field foods, ranging from fruits and veg- topsoil, grass, etc. conservation projects in more than 50 etables to frozen fish and chicken. The Central Park Zoo’s animal countries. Foraging opportunities are randomly enrichment program for polar bears Bear enrichment at Central Park offered from 2 to 5 times daily. Our includes natural history-based social Zoo started with the design of a large, bears have a natural cycle of food enrichment, as well as habitat, naturalistic exhibit opened in 1986. motivation and consumption which is foraging, novel object, and training Enrichment is based on natural history opposite to wild bears’ cycle by six enrichments, all layered on top of a facts, field observation of wild bears months, and more like the brown relatively large, naturalistic exhibit. It (including polar bears in Churchill, bears’ cycle with a sort of “walking takes into account the needs of American black bears in the hibernation” in winter. individual bears at different ages and Adirondacks, etc.), expert opinion Organic, novel object enrichment during different seasons. Each enrich- (including Allison Ames’ work with includes rawhide chews, sheep fleeces, ment is evaluated through behavioral polar bears in the wild and captivity), shed hair from other predators (Arctic observations and comparison of the needs of individual bears, and fox), and urine scents from foxes and before-and-after time budgets for each limitations imposed by existing other predators. Central Park has used animal. exhibits. The goals include increasing and evaluated a variety of plastic toys for Continuing education for zookeepers animal well-being through motivating bears, from large plastic cubes (“iceberg” keeps staff current on developments in natural behaviors and decreasing floats) to traffic cones, Boomer brand animal ecology, enrichment and training aberrant behaviors. balls, and other items. We drill holes in in captivity. We hope that when the At Central Park, we have one male old balls, fill them with frozen food/ public observes more natural animal and two female polar bears. During juice, and they become foraging behaviors in our exhibits, they will care breeding season, one female at a opportunities for bears (Hediger’s more about nature and will be motivated time is locked inside at her choice, so “occupational therapy”). The natural to support conservation activities around that she is away from the breeding behavior of “seal den pouncing” is the world. The WCS animal enrichment couple and aggression from the male, frequently seen with these plastic program is good for our animals, our who is vasectomized. The bears foraging devices. Recently, we designed a staff, our visitors and is ultimately good frequently have the choice of being 6-ft-long by 15-in-wide plastic molded for wildlife conservation.

International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 27 Student Affairs Your Proposal is Your Friend

Diana Doan-Crider Preparing Your Proposal aside, attributing the forsaken Caesar Kleberg My good friend, Paul, a well- proposal to some insignificant and Wildlife Research Institute known geneticist, asked me an monotonous academic requirement, MSC 218 interesting question one day. “What or the necessary evil for some Texas A&M University-Kingsville question, exactly, are you addressing funding agency grant. I have to Kingsville, TX 78363-8202, USA in your bear project?” “Huh?” I admit, on many an occasion, I have Phone (361) 593-3042 answered...“um, I’m looking at black been pressured into pumping out a Email [email protected] bears and food production over a piece of handiwork to meet a landscape, and observing changes in deadline that was completely void of Well, it looks like Student Affairs population dynamics.” “Nnnooo,” he any forethought or counsel. Upon will live. I received some good firmly asserted, “I said what question my arrival in the field with the responses from students after our are you asking?” The infamous secured money in my pocket, it was first column, so we will proceed with Graduate defensemia came over me just a matter of catching a bunch of caution. One letter was received from causing my face to turn to a pasty bears, putting radio-collars around a European student who is interested white, my stomach to crawl up my their necks, and watching what in stirring up some dust across the esophagus approximately 3 cm, and floated to the surface. If any of you ocean. The potential to organize my mind to go completely blank. have never done so, you are lying. student participation from Europe, Those of us who have faced defense Many advisors have the best Asia, and South America may be on committees know exactly what I am intentions of walking their graduate the horizon. Let us hear from you! talking about. After a few minutes, he students through the proposal patted my hand, assured me that I was process with sufficient time and New—Opportunity Notices not in my defense, and walked me effort for brainstorming, organiza- We need everyone’s cooperation through the discussion. I eventually tion, and scrutiny by outside coun- to make the IBA a relevant source for answered correctly, arriving at the sel. Unfortunately, amidst a flurry of students! Help us make this happen! long-forgotten question that was once deadlines, tenure requirements, See page 31. written in my proposal (oh yeah, that teaching, and new projects, the Employers Looking for Students thing) in the form of an hypothesis. professor sometimes loses track of We are accepting announcements for Admittedly, I never really paid the student in the fog. I just met one student opportunities. We encourage much attention to hypotheses during poor guy who is in his second notices from all aspects of bear research my Master’s work, mainly because I semester of graduate school, and has and management, including federal and was too busy collecting descriptive met his advisor only once. Many state agencies, national and state parks, data on the little-studied Mexican students are faced with the pressure animal parks, rehabilitation centers, black bears. While the collection of of having to produce management universities, consulting firms, contract descriptive data is important and not information for some funding biologists, laboratories... Please announce injurious in the case of a graduate agency, while the learning to become your graduate projects, internships, or project, I missed a fundamental a scientist happens (hopefully) as a salaried and volunteer positions. Send principle in the art of wildlife science by-product. Students are rushed to announcements to the above address. and a critical building block in my prepare the proposal for committee List job title, salary, time span, brief education. Most important, I missed sign-off, get out into the field to start description, requirements, name and the opportunity to learn how to ask a some seasonally regulated project (as address of employer, and deadline. relevant question, set up an effective are most bear projects), and then Students Looking for Placement design to test that question, and play the magnet game and collect Students, job-seekers, volunteers, produce results that provided some whatever data they can. In some and bear groupies, please take note! answer to that question. Many of us cases, students begin their fieldwork We will list your name with a brief don’t realize the blunder until, one and start collecting data only to find description (50 words or less) of your day, our proposal falls out of the major glitches in the methodology. specific interest related to bears, dusty mire of papers on the shelf, Worse yet, some make it as far as along with address, email, and and we recognize that it is not even getting past the field work, only to phone number. This might help you close to what our thesis or disserta- find that their analysis looks more get connected! tion stated. Most of us would toss it like Swiss cheese than a thesis, with

28 International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 Student Affairs

little to defend. Disheartened following papers to start you off with to those who are on the cutting edge students return to the drawing board a good perspective on the topic of of techniques you want to use. Get or resort to all forms of data dredg- the scientific question: input. I consider this to be one of the ing, while our well-meaning col- Gill, R.B. 1985. Wildlife research—an most critical points in the design of leagues pat us on the back saying, endangered species. Wildlife your study. It can help you avoid “Hey, it’s good for your character.” Society Bulletin 13:580-587. some pretty big mistakes, or even get Hey, life is short and tuition is not Guthery, F.S., J.J. Lusk, and M.J. you in on the cutting edge, too! cheap. I’ll trade off that kind of Peterson. 2001. The fall of the 4) Reality check: testing, testing... character for some simple fore- null hypothesis: liabilities and Experimental design: There’s thought and planning. opportunities. Journal of Wildlife nothing more frustrating than being Let’s not waste time blaming Management 65:379-384. close, but not close enough to cross people for the cracks in the system; if Romesburg, H.C. 1981. Wildlife the finish line. Aside from your so, we’d have to start with whether science: gaining reliable knowl- proposal, your statistician should be you were breast-fed and if you were a edge. Journal of Wildlife Manage- your next best friend. Look at it this middle child. Instead, simply ment 45(2). way: you are looking for the best recognize that your proposal is your 2) Build your literature review. vehicle to test your question, and friend. Your proposal should be the Your literature review is not just a your statistician is your mechanic. place where you invest the greatest requirement for your proposal, or a You cannot afford a major break- amount of brain-power before you compendium of everything that’s ever down on this trip. Scores of students start your project. The intent of this been written on bears. There is a have had to piece together messy column is to prepare you for unpre- reason for this task. Conduct your data and cram it into faulty experi- dictable circumstances and ensure literature review to provide yourself mental designs because they didn’t that you do not fall through any with a good understanding of what has look under the hood and plan ahead cracks despite your naivete, academic been done with respect to your with enough detail before they background, funding, professor’s question, what questions are left bought the car. Find out about what work load, or the nature of your unanswered, and who has been doing kind of sample sizes you will need project. Here are some helpful hints, the testing. It may help you reduce the and whether your design is really but not necessarily in this order: chance of repeating a study that has practical for the kind of field condi- 1) Ask the question. already answered the question clearly, tions you are going to experience. If What question are you trying to or perhaps reveal research techniques your statistician tells you that you answer? Different funding agencies that didn’t work. Be thorough, and use will need to catch a minimum of 876 may request descriptive information the literature that best builds up to bears and obtain one location a day from many graduate projects such as your question (i.e., leave out the per bear to meet the test require- “How many bears are in this area?” chatter that is irrelevant to your topic). ments, then you might want to or “What is the mortality of adult Remember, you’re not using the reconsider the technique. Not all females in a harvested population?” literature to test your question, just to analytical techniques are gospel; they However, your hypothesis will likely help you set it up. may look pretty on the outside, but be based on some testable question 3) Brainstorm with peers and experts. are riddled with problems and that will give you insight into Once you have an idea of what’s assumptions that are difficult to ecological mechanisms that drive the going on in the scientific bear world, meet. Comb them out, think them system. That question can be very talk to people. The best way to wage a through, talk with experts, and then simple (the best ones are), but may war is to seek good counsel, and the decide. With bears, we are not not necessarily be the National IBA is loaded. Call authors of papers afforded the statistical luxuries of Geographic material you were dream- you have read and see what they those who study rats and fish, but ing about. Regardless, this question recommend. Talk to people who given all the choices, make the best will be the substance of your thesis have used the techniques which you one. Ultimately, don’t commit the or dissertation, and also the most are considering, and find out about faux pas of simply doing something useful when it comes to understand- the kinks. Go to bear biology meet- because everyone else does it. Think ing bear populations and learning to ings and visit with people and tell for yourself, and always do it with become a scientist. I suggest the them about some of your ideas. Go the help of a statistician.

International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 29 Student Affairs Preparing Project Proposals, cont’d.

Field Logistics: Ask yourself and primary objectives are really nice, Permits: Many students are others whether what you are doing is but remember that you will have to oblivious to the fact that most bear logistically feasible. I especially collect and analyze all of that data, projects require some sort of research recommend this for those conduct- too. Better to do one thing well than permit from state and/or federal ing research in less-developed try to do many things poorly. Your agencies. If you’re handling any kind countries. Our version of technology final results will tell on you, and so of controlled drug, then you have to is far from their version; ask any of will your mental health. have permits (i.e., from the Drug our friends who work on the Andean 5) Details, details... Enforcement Agency in the USA). bear in South America. It takes them Field work: You will never think of Most PIs have already taken care of days just to haul one trap into the everything, but you can sure try. permits for their students, however, study area, and forget about running Round up equipment lists from other find out just to be sure. Many to town for supplies. Before you start biologists. Talk to people who have countries require permits for foreign your project, talk to people who have done research in your area, or other researchers. There’s little worse than already done field work there. If it’s students affiliated with your project. a researcher who is conducting work never been done, at least talk to Find out about the best techniques, illegally in some foreign country, people who live in the area and are best drugs, and best equipment. and leaves his mess for the next guy familiar with the species. Please, for all of us, learn about who comes along to try to get a Time Schedule: Ask whether your animal safety. Take a hike in the permit. I have had to deal with that objectives can be accomplished woods and walk yourself through one before, and many governments within the normal time frame of a your methods. Volunteer on other consider it a serious infraction when graduate program. Will it take you 10 projects and watch how they do it. we think we’re above and beyond years to observe trends in bear Money: The Principal Investigator the law. A team I know of still has density? Be realistic. Most schools are (PI) is usually your advisor, so he/she warrants out for their arrest after five putting hour-caps on graduate will likely have prepared a budget. It years, and will not be able to return programs because they’re getting is still a good idea for you to comb to Mexico to continue their work, tired of old and decrepit students through the budget to give you a simply for working without permits. getting moldy in the hallways. Get good understanding of your financial Allow yourself an extra year for your degree, and then you can solve freedom versus your limitations. going through the right channels, the mysteries of the universe when Think about possible repair expenses, and don’t be surprised if it takes you get a real job. Calculate the travel monies, supplies, and analysis longer. I recommend that you latch details of your fieldwork, and fees. If the PI has not developed the onto someone who has worked there remember that classes have to fit budget, then you should sit down before, and find out where to go and somewhere in there. Take heed of the with him/her and, with careful detail, what approach is best to get the fact that you do not wear an “S” on estimate all of your costs. Be as permit process rolling. Sometimes your chest, i.e., you are not Superman involved as possible because, believe you must go through the embassy, or (or “W” for Wonderwoman, of me, you will suffer the consequences sometimes you can work directly course). Be extremely conscientious of for any financial oversights on the with the government. Regardless, do the workload and whether you will be project. Cover yourself as well as you it right, and don’t risk getting booted able to do it. Telemetry alone can be a can, and try to think of everything. out in the middle of your research. full-time job for one person, but then Facilities: Think ahead and make 6) The format. there’s trapping, vegetation transects, sure you have access to the appropri- Your institution will likely have etc. You will have to make time to eat, ate facilities to do any analyses. some format that they prefer for the sleep, travel, get supplies, and possibly Good GIS labs are few and far proposal (usually through your have a private life. Plan for bad between, and complex mapping may graduate office), but remember, don’t weather days, meetings, and the fact sometimes be over your head. Lab write it to solely meet their standards. that animals don’t always follow your work such as genetic analyses can be The proposal will be your guide for schedule. Your ideas to sample food complicated and may require the next several years, too. Find habits, look at intestinal parasites, and contracting someone to do it for you, some proposals from other students evaluate human attitudes on the side or having to pay for the use of a lab. or your advisor, and read them over while you still try to accomplish your Don’t forget to figure the costs. to get an idea of how they are set up.

30 International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 Opportunities Bear Work Wanted Bear Biologists Needed in Florida

Creativity is always encouraged Charles Goddard Florida Fish and within the preferences of your 16 Seymour Rd. Apt. 6F Wildlife Conservation advisor. Many proposals may shift or East Granby, CT 06026, USA Bear Management Section change a bit from the beginning to Email [email protected] the end of a project, and that is Job Announcement: sometimes inevitable. However, I have worked two years as a Field Biologists when you write your proposal, treat it resource assistant in Connecticut’s like a map that will get you to where Furbearer Management Program Three biologists are needed for an you need to go. No need to be monitoring game (river otter, beaver, American black bear population excessively verbose; your advisor is mink, muskrat, red and grey fox, monitoring study in Florida. Appli- probably not short on reading coyote) and non-game species’ cants must be available May 6 material. Include what you need, (American black bear, bobcat, fisher) through September 6, 2002 and have however, to keep your objectives and furbearer harvests, and addressing completed a Bachelor’s degree prior methods clear in your mind. human-furbearer conflicts, includ- to start date. Prior field experience is 7) The final revision. ing: furbearer management on state preferred. Duties include field Once you’ve completed your draft, lands; furbearer carcass collection scouting, installation of barbed wire double-check with your advisor to and analysis; public education (1-75 hair snares, sample collection, range see if it is alright to have an outside people); extensive work with trap- delineation, and data entry. Requires reviewer (or several) look it over. ping, handling and chemical immo- ability to work independently in Why an outside reviewer? Committees bilization of raccoons and nuisance remote field locations and under may not spot all of the red flags due black bears; black bear den inspec- adverse field conditions. Salary to their familiarity with the proposal. tions; and report writing. Used equivalent to $925/biweekly and In addition, people aren’t as apt to ground and aerial radio telemetry housing provided. Dependent upon criticize their own ideas. The edito- equipment for two years with acquisition of additional funding, rial process is one of the most raccoons and black bears. Worked on positions may become full time. humbling, but eye-opening, experi- Connecticut’s Piping Plover/Least Send cover letter, resume, and ences known to the human race, Tern Recovery Project, locating all three references to: especially in the IBA. Remember, nests and protecting them from Stephanie Simek reserve your pride for your personal- predators and human disturbance; Florida Fish and Wildlife ized website, but practice honesty in monitoring both species’ nesting Conservation Commission science. Be open for input and success; and managing nesting 620 South Meridian Street criticism. If so, you’ll end up with a habitat along the shoreline. Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600, USA proposal that can’t be beat, and your Available spring 2002. Willing to Phone (850) 922-9803 project will likely follow in its path. relocate Thank you. Applications considered until all Following these suggestions will positions are filled. keep you from having to learn things the hard way and avoid a bunch of lumps on your head. Most impor- tantly, however, it may be the pathway to a solid thesis or disserta- tion that will eventually end up in some reputable journal...maybe even Ursus. Have fun, and remember, I’d love to hear from you!

International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 31 Education/Outreach Call for Informational and Educational Materials

Chris Morgan What do we want? We see this as a step towards Insight Wildlife Management, Inc. Anything and everything you may identifying and defining accurate, P.O. Box 28656 have relating to bear education. high quality informational resources Bellingham, WA 98228-0656, USA Through partnerships with other that will be of use for bear education Phone (360) 758 4193 organizations and agencies we will projects internationally. Our hope is Fax (360) 758 3104 be developing materials and educa- to make this information available to Email [email protected] tional programs specific to this the IBA education committee ecosystem. Collecting as much through IWM and later expand the The aim of the Outreach/Educa- information as possible will help effort to include the remaining six tion page is to promote the exchange avoid replications and assist us in bear species. of ideas and concepts and to aid developing effective and streamlined communication between those tools for use in our efforts. Where to send it! involved with information, educa- We are hoping to determine the Please send information or, when tion and outreach activities in the range of brochures, videos, decals, possible, hard copies to: bear world. We depend upon posters, teachers’ kits, public service Ann Russell contributions from IBA members to announcements, booklets, displays, IWM Bear I&E Database fill these pages–your input is very slide shows, internet information, 500 1/2 Potter Street much appreciated. Please limit community-based programs (and so Bellingham, WA 98225, USA articles to 1300 words and send on) that focus primarily upon grizzly Email [email protected] drafts to the address above. bear recovery, ecology, conflict, identification and sanitation issues Any questions or comments can Call for educational materials. in this and other ecosystems. Black be directed to Ann Russell, IWM Insight Wildlife Management bear educational materials will also information and education specialist. (IWM) is embarking upon the be included in the database. We also monumental task of acquiring, invite your comments and opinions cataloging and organizing North on what has and has not worked in American black bear and grizzly bear your area. At this time we are informational and educational concentrating on materials from materials. We are creating this North America but if you have database to facilitate a fledgling information from another area that project aimed at developing a you feel is particularly relevant or comprehensive grizzly bear informa- noteworthy please pass that along as tion and education program in the well. Perhaps there is someone out North Cascades Ecosystem. The there who has already tackled such a program is a cooperative effort of feat—we would love to see a copy of IWM, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife your work! Service and other agencies and organizations in Washington state.

32 International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 Bears in Culture Kermode Bears: From Myth to Mutation

Christine Clarke considered Evolutionary Significant the result of another pigmentation Email [email protected] Units (ESUs) or only the white bears? pathway, but red hair is the usual Should other color variants be treated outcome of mc1r allelic variants. The Spirit Bear of coastal British in the same fashion? If genetic Thus far, white Kermodes are the Columbia, is, like the rainforest itself, diversity is to be managed and only mammal in which a change in shrouded in mystery and legend. maintained, shouldn’t we be manag- the mc1r gene gives rise to white/ According to the Kitasoo and Gitga’at ing for whole genome diversity and cream colored hair. White hair is people, when the glaciers retreated not just single variant loci? In order to often accompanied by pink eyes northward, “the Creator made the address these questions effectively, (albinism) and results from loss of Spirit Bear white to remind us that this some background information on coat function of the enzyme, tyrosinase. lush rainforest was once white with ice color genetics and their expression in Tyrosinase is an enzyme that con- and snow.” With Raven’s assistance, the environment is needed. verts the amino acid tyrosine to a every tenth bear on the island (Prin- The genetics of pigmentation and pigment precursor molecule called cess Royal) was made white, where coat color are complex and often under dopaquinone. The melanocyte cell, “they could live in peace forever.” the control of many genes working in with the help of other enzymes, And upon this mystical backdrop, concert. In mice, for instance, at least converts dopaquinone to eumelanin new stories unfold, challenging us to 100 different genes have been shown to and pheomelanin. In mice, the determine what the White Bear’s contribute to a wide range of hair and chinchilla (cch) allele reduces the future will be. Part of this future coat pigmentation phenotypes. Varia- enzymatic activity of tyrosinase and involves the controversial decision to tion, even within the same gene, can gives the mice a grayish coat color. prohibit or defer logging on some 3.5 lead to a black coat at one end of the Since tyrosinase is a rate limiting factor million-forest acres in the designated spectrum, and a yellow coat at the other in the production of pigment, it is Great Bear Rainforest preserve, located end. Color in hair follicles is the result of conceivable that fluctuations in in northwestern British Columbia. deposition of eumelanin (brown/black tyrosinase or its substrate, tyrosine, One of the most well known pigment) and pheomelanin (yellow/red) may modulate coat color. Seasonal occupants of the coastal Great Bear granules from melanocytes residing at coat color variations have been Rainforest is the Kermode bear (Ursus the base of hair follicles. Melanocytes observed in white Kermodes, and americanus kermodei), a subspecies of respond to various hormone and peptide higher dietary levels of tyrosine (found Ursus americanus that includes both “cues” to synthesize and deposit these in salmon) could theoretically lead to black and white color phases. In a pigment granules. Melanocortins, such increased melanin deposition. convergence of myth and science, as ACTH and Melanocyte Stimulating Coat color variation in bear species the frequency of white Kermodes is Hormones (MSHs), bind to cell mem- can be dramatic, as evidenced by estimated at 10-20% on Gribbell, brane receptors to mediate their effects. pandas, spectacled bears, sun bears Roderick and Princess Royal Islands, Interestingly, melanocortins do more and polar bears. Brown bears have a with the frequency decreasing in than activate melanocytes—they are variety of coat colors, as do American other parts of their range. Although found throughout the body and are black bears. “White” black bears, albeit the white bears are more prevalent on implicated in food intake, obesity, stress in low frequency, have been found in the islands, they do not seem to be reactions and behavioral responses. areas other than the British Columbia inbred, at least based on microsatellite Genetic differences in the coast: Manitoba, three bears; Michi- data. Recently, researchers at the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1, mc1r) gan, two; Minnesota, one. The mc1r University of British Columbia have vary the ability of the receptor to gene from the “white” Minnesota bear succeeded in answering one of the respond to MSH stimulation. If the was sequenced by Ritland et al. and mysteries of the Spirit Bears: the bears receptor is always turned “on,” did not share the same substitution as are white due to two inherited variant increased deposition of eumelanin the white Kermode bears; thus, a white alleles of the melanocortin-1 receptor. occurs and hair pigment is very dark. coat color can occur by other, as-yet- With the identification of a Conversely, if the receptor is turned unknown genetic mechanisms. genetic basis for the Kermode’s white off, a yellowish color is the usual So what determines the expression coat, some interesting and perplex- result—as seen in golden and Labrador of coat color in bears? In a large ing questions are raised: can retriever dogs, and a passerine bird, the study, Richard Rounds analyzed coat Kermode bears (white and black) be bananaquit. In humans, blond hair is color and location data from >40,000

International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 33 Bears in Culture Kermode Bears, cont’d. Bear Self-Medication

American black bears from the Bibliography Cindy Engel U.S. and Canada. For >11,000 bears, Barsh, G. 1997. The genetics of The Open University, UK age, subspecies, sex, habitat, and pigmentation: from fancy genes Phone +44 1986 798112 grizzly bear association data was also to complex traits. Trends in Fax +44 1986 798937 available. Through extensive multi- Genetics. 12(8): 300-5. Email [email protected]. variate analyses, he concluded that Bergman, B.J. “Canada’s Forgotten the most dominant influence on Coast.” Sierra Magazine. March/ Cindy Engel has a PhD in animal color phenotype in bears is vegeta- April 1999: 68-75, 91-92. behavior and is author of Wild tion/habitat type. Black bears Everts, R. et al. 2000. Identification Health: How Animals Keep Themselves occupying the most diverse habitats of a premature stop codon in the Well and What We Can Learn from tended to have higher ratios of non- melanocyte-stimulating hor- Them (Houghton Mifflin: Boston). black bears. Bears in dense, closed- mone receptor gene (MC1R) in As a result of her call for observa- canopy forests were predominantly Labrador and Golden retrievers tions of possible bear self-medication black. Rounds hypothesized that the with yellow coat color. Animal (February 2000 newsletter), she expression of coat color was poly- Genetics. 31(3): 194-199. reports on feedback she received. genic and determined by external Healy, E. et al. 2001. Functional selective forces applied across the variation of MC1R alleles from Back in 1964, George Schaller range of the species. red-haired individuals. Human noticed that up to 38% of sloth bear In the neutralist theory of evolu- Molecular Genetics. 10(21): 2397- scats in India contained large tion, mutations are seen as neither 402. amounts of soil. Wildlife biologist good nor bad. Rather, mutations Natural Resources Defense Council. Marci Johnson has found many scats drift through a population, accumu- 2001. “The Spirit Bear and the of Alaskan brown bears containing lating without deleterious effect until Great Bear Rainforest.” mostly clay, and at the same time, an ecological gap occurs. At this www.nrdc.org/land/forests/ she has seen evidence of digging at time, directional selection may nsbgb.asp. the clay banks along Anan Creek. occur. If there is a selective advan- Ritland, K. et al. 2001. Inheritance She thinks the phenomenon may be tage to coat color variation, then and population structure of the seasonal. Rangers believe the bears even rare alleles may be maintained white-phased “Kermode” black eat clay when they develop tape- through a process known as fre- bear. Current Biology. 11(18): worms from eating salmon. Cana- quency dependent selection. Perhaps 1468-72. dian amateur naturalist Gilles bears, throughout history, have Rounds, R. 1987. Distribution and Toanen has seen American black carried many color coat variation analysis of colourmorphs of the bears in the Rimouski Reserve (60 km genes, which may or may not have black bear (Ursus americanus). east of Montreal, Canada), licking been expressed, depending on Journal of Biogeography. 14: 521- clay from river banks. natural conditions. It is intriguing to 538. These observations are interesting consider that perhaps white Kermode Theron, E. et al. 2001. The molecular because the consumption of clay bears, and possibly pale blue-gray basis of an avian plumage (known as geophagy) has been “glacier” bears, evolved on the open polymorphism in the wild: A shown to be an effective form of self- coastal plains during periods of melanocortin-1-receptor point medication in other mammals and extensive glaciation. At that time, mutation is perfectly associated birds. Professor William Mahaney of white fur may well have conferred a with the melanic plumage The Geophagy Research Unit, York selective advantage that is not morph of the bananaquit, University says “all geophagy is a readily apparent to us today. Indeed, Coereba flaveola. Current Biology. form of self-medication.” Clay maybe the “Ghost” bear is more than 11: 550-557. particles bind and thereby deactivate a reminder of natural history— toxins produced by pathogens, perhaps the story of its evolution is parasites, or diet. Clay effectively intertwined within its cream-colored prevents up to 60% of dietary toxins hair. entering the blood of parrots which

34 International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 Bears in Culture

engage in daily geophagy. Apes and ently love the smelly sticky tar. often reported that bears feed on monkeys eat clay during times of Gilles Toanen reports seeing Ameri- certain rough plants to “plug the increased infestations with intestinal can black bears in Quebec frequently intestine” before hibernation but parasites, and dramatic seasonal rub on resinous trees such as pine, there may be another explanation. changes of diet. Rats eat clay when- and to come to feeding stations Research on wild chimpanzees has ever they feel sick, and the efficacy covered in sticky resin that local shown that they swallow rough hairy of this strategy is demonstrated by Indians use to repel black flies. leaves when infested with worms. the fact that they can survive even We know bears scratch their backs These rough leaves effectively reduce an otherwise lethal dose of pesticide on trees but a preference for sticky numbers of intestinal nodule worms if allowed access to clay. smelly substances such as creosote and tapeworms by scouring them Geophagy is not (as one might and resin would be interesting through the gut. The rough leaves expect) always a result of a mineral because similar substances are used are found covered in live wriggling deficiency, but more often a response as fur-rubs by other mammals—one worms on the forest floor. Could to a feeling of gastrointestinal theory being that this brings imme- bears be doing something similar? malaise. Clay-licking may therefore diate relief to itching from biting More observations are needed to help bears feel better when infested flies and ectoparasites. Coatis, for ascertain whether scats at this time with intestinal worms or when example, rub pungent menthol- of year contain rough plant material poisoned by natural dietary toxins. smelling resin into their fur, and and worms. It is assumed that the It would be valuable to know capuchin monkeys rub citrus fruits motivation for eating scours would whether geophagy coincides with and toxic millipedes into their fur. be an immediate feeling of relief any other behavioral indicators of Pungency indicates volatile oils and rather than any cognitive under- malaise. these impair the health of mites, lice, standing of their actions. Brown, American black and and ticks; repel biting insects; and Many IBA members had wondered Kodiak bears are reported to dig up are anti-microbial, helping heal whether their study bears were using the root of Osha plants (Ligusticum bacterial and fungal infections. What other aspects of nature’s pharmacy to walichii), chew the root into a mash is not yet known is whether fur- enhance their health and hence and rub the paste through their fur. rubbing has any of these benefits for fitness. There is plenty of scope for As they do so, they go into a catnip- bears. observational studies of bear self- like frenzy. This anecdote comes There is also the possibility that medication, yet as far as I am aware, from stories told by Native Ameri- bears actively scour intestinal worms there are no active research projects. cans. Ethnobotanist Shaun Sigstedt through the gut. For obvious reasons, Understanding how bears modulate has seen bears in captivity fur-rub bears that can rid themselves of their health is essential because the with Osha and a variety of other intestinal parasites before going into loss of rare plants, habitat, and range pungent plants. hibernations are at a significant could greatly impact on their health. Although no IBA members advantage to those who do not. Furthermore, access to specific reported seeing bears fur-rub with Biologist Barrie Gilbert of Alaska medicines could be vital to maintain- Osha root they did report plenty of noticed that bears start eating very ing bear health in captivity. other examples of fur-rubbing. David strange things before hibernation. He Maehr of Florida University has been saw bears focus on rough fibrous trying to record the movement of sedge (Carex spp). Biologists have American black bears in Florida by using radio collars. One of his biggest problems is that the collars get coated in a thick layer of smelly creosote when bears rub on freshly painted utility poles. They appar-

International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 35 Publications Ursus 12 Contents

Ursus 12 is available for purchase. J.E. Swenson, B. Dahle, and F. S. Herrero, J. Roulet, and M.L. Review its contents below and use Sandegren. Intraspecific predation in Gibeau. Banff National Park: Science the form on page 47 or at Scandinavian brown bears older than and policy in grizzly bear manage- www.bearbiology.com to order your cubs-of-the-year ment. copy. J.E. McDonald, Jr. and T.K. Fuller. G.J. Ziegltrum and D.L. Nolte. Prediction of litter size in American Black bear forest damage in Wash- Status of Bears black bears ington state, USA: Economic, A. Zedrosser, B. Dahle, J.E. A. Frkovic’, D. Huber, and J. Kusak. ecological, social aspects. Swenson, and N. Gerstl. Status and Brown bear litter sizes in Croatia. A. Mertens and C. Promberger. management of the brown bear in I.L. Tumanov. Reproductive biology Economic aspects of large carnivore- Europe. of captive polar bears. livestock conflicts in Romania. S. Sathyakumar. Status and management of Asiatic black bear Habitat Use and Security Bear Behavior and Activity and Himalayan brown bear in India. M.R. Stratman, C.D. Alden, M.R. R.O. Wagner, D.A. Hightower, and H. Valdmann, U. Saarma, and A. Pelton, and M.E. Sunquist. Habitat use R.M. Pace, III. Measuring levels and Karis. The brown bear population in by American black bears in the patterns of activity in American Estonia: Current status and require- sandhills of Florida. black bears. ments for management. P.Y. Quenette, M. Alonso, L. A.G. MacHutchon. Grizzly bear Chayron, P. Cluzel, E. Dubarry, D. activity budget and pattern in the Life History Dubreuil, S. Palazon, and M. Pomarol. Firth River Valley, Yukon. A. Friebe, J.E. Swenson, and F. Preliminary results of the first trans- P.A. Grandia, J.J. van Dijk, and P. Sandegren. Denning chronology of plantation of brown bears in the Koene. Stimulating natural behavior female brown bears in central French Pyrenees. in captive bears. Sweden. M.L. Gibeau, S. Herrero, B.N. O.C. Huygens and H. Hayashi. Use McLellan, and J.G. Woods. Managing New Methodologies of stone pine seeds and oak acorns for grizzly bear security areas in Banff J.J. Akenson, M.G. Henjum, T.L. by Asiatic black bears in central National Park and the central Cana- Wertz, and T.J. Craddock. Use of Japan. dian Rocky Mountains. dogs and mark-recapture techniques P. Fersterer, D.L. Nolte, G.J. P. Molinari and A. Molinari-Jobin. to estimate American black bear Ziegltrum, and H. Gossow. Effect of Identifying passages in the southeast- density in northeastern Oregon. feeding stations on the home ranges ern Italian Alps for brown bears and K.V. Noyce, D.L. Garshelis, and of American black bears in western other wildlife. P.L. Coy. Differential vulnerability of Washington. J. Naves, A. Fernandez-Gil, and M. American black bears to trap and M.R. Stratman, C.D. Alden, M.R. Delibes. Effects of recreation activities camera sampling and resulting biases Pelton, and M.E. Sunquist. Long on a brown bear family group in in mark-recapture estimates. distance movement of a Florida black Spain. C.G. Rice, J. Rohlman, J. Beecham, bear in the southeastern coastal and S. Pozzanghera. Power analysis plain. Bears, Culture and Economics of bait station surveys in Idaho and L.J. Van Daele, J.R. Morgart, M.T. Washington. Population Dynamics Hinkes, S.D. Kovach, J.W. Denton, C.M. Clarke, J.A. Fangman, and G.A. Sargeant and R.L. Ruff. and R.H. Kaycon. Grizzlies, eskimos S.K. Wasser. Fecal DNA methods for Demographic response of American and biologists: Cross-cultural bear differentiating grizzly bears from black bears at Cold Lake, Alberta to management in southwest Alaska. American black bears. the removal of adult males. J.L. Bowman, B.D. Leopold, F.J. J.E. Swenson, F. Sandegren, S. Vilella, D.A. Gill, and H.A. Jacobson. Brunberg, and P. Segerstrøm. Factors Attitudes of landowners toward associated with loss of brown bear American black bears compared cubs in Sweden. between areas of high and low bear populations.

36 International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 Publications Proceedings of the 16th Ursus: COYS and Eastern Black Bear Workshop Black Bears Banned by Editor!

Proceedings from the 16th Eastern Ten Years of Reproductive Re- Richard Harris Black Bear Workshop held March 25- search with the American Black Bear Ursus, editor 28, 2001 in Clemson, South Caro- by W.R. Boone and B.B. Keck. 218 Evans lina, USA are now available. Order Missoula, MT 59802, USA your copy on page 47 or at Poster abstracts include: Phone/Fax (406) 542-6399 www.bearbiology.com. A Mathematical Model to Estimate Email [email protected] Cub Orphaning During the Spring The 130 page volume includes Black Bear Hunting Season in One of the advantages of having a status reports from 19 U.S. states, Manitoba by K.J. Rebizant, H. (more-or-less) permanent editor for two Canadian provinces and one Hristienko, D. Pastuck and B. our technical journal, Ursus, is that university; eight presentation Knudsen. we can improve standardization of abstracts; four poster session Do Suspended Baits Enable certain writing conventions. Here, abstracts; and notes from the six Hunters to Better Discriminate I’ll report to the membership on two workshops sessions. The volume Between Male and Female Black of interest. I suspect that, as with also includes a list of registrants. Bears? by M.E. Obbard. most issues, about half the IBA Bear-Human Interactions on membership will welcome these Presentation abstracts include: Cherokee National Forest from 1998- protocols, and the other half will Black Bear Management Strategies 2000 by M.M. Dodson. think they’re crazy. on Federal Land in the Eastern Ten Years of Reproductive Re- In future, we will not allow use of United States: An Overview by S. search with the American Black Bear the semi-word “COY” (short for Griep. by W.R. Boone and B.B. Keck. “cub-of-the-year”) in Ursus. Instead, Population Characteristics of Black “cub” should be used for a cub-of- Bears in Georgetown and Horry Workshop summaries include: the-year, just as “yearling” is used for Counties, South Carolina by H.W. Forest Management for Black Bear. animals in their second year of life. Harter, T. Fendley and M.C. Education and Nuisance Bear However, because “COY” has gained Womble. Abatement. wide acceptance within technical Home Range and Habitat Utiliza- Research Needs. literature on bears, I suggest clearly tion of Female Black Bears in a Bear Relocation: Social, Political defining “cub” the first time it is Managed Forest in the Mountains of and Biological. used. We’ll reserve the word “Coy” South Carolina by J. W. Butfiloski, Hunting Season Strategies and for authors’ surnames (already a R.D. Willey and T. Fendley. Effects on Bear Populations. reality), and for bears that are Results of a Mail Survey to Deter- Genetic Sampling. demonstrably shy and demure. This mine the Distribution of Black Bears will help readers unfamiliar with in Georgetown and Horry Counties, current bear jargon understand what South Carolina by C. Chao, T. authors intend. Fendley, H.W. Harter and G. Yarrow. Second, in an additional effort to A Mathematical Model to Estimate internationalize our perspective, Cub Orphaning During the Spring papers about Ursus americanus should Black Bear Hunting Season in Sloth Bears preface “black bear” with the word Manitoba by K.J. Rebizant, H. “American” in one or two prominent Hristienko, D. Pastuck and B. Knudsen. The November/December 2001 locations (e.g., title, key words), to Chemical Immobilization of Bears: issue of Zoogoer (volume 30, number distinguish it from the other black Legal Requirements by J.K. Gaydos. 6) magazine carries an article by K. bear (Ursus thibetanus) which often is Field Evaluation of Remote Yoganand, “Report from the Field: A the subject of submissions. The same Cameras to Resight Bears for Popula- Sloth Bear Saga.” Also see page 10. rule set, needless to add, works in tion Estimation in North Carolina by reverse. M.D. Jones, T.H. Eason and G.S. Warburton.

International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 37 Events Grizzly Bears: Future A Workshop on Enhancing and Managing IBA Conferences Small Populations Sandpoint, Idaho, USA Invited papers will be presented by 15th International Conference December 16-17, 2002 Mark Boyce, Lisette Waits, Chris November 2003 (tentative) Servheen, Matt Austin, Rick Mace, Dehradun, India Dave Mattson, Greg Schildwachter, 16th International Conference Call for Papers— Wayne Kasworm, John Boulanger, February 2004 Deadline March 31, 2002 Wayne Wakkinen, Mike Proctor and California, USA others. A panel discussion is planned 17th International Conference This two-day workshop focuses on with local political leaders and 2005 enhancing small populations of citizens. Pertinent papers on this Italy grizzly bears in the U.S.-Canada topic from Europe and Asia are transborder area and creating and encouraged. Proceedings will be peer- managing new populations in reviewed and published. Suggestions linkage zones. It will be held in for topics and presenters as well as conjunction with winter meeting of abstracts for volunteered papers the Interagency Grizzly Bear Com- should be submitted by March 31, mittee tentatively scheduled for 2002 to: Sandpoint Idaho on 16-17 December Sterling Miller 2002. This workshop is being National Wildlife Federation coordinated by the International 240 North Higgins, Suite 2 Association for Bear Research and Missoula, MT 59847, USA Management, local, state, provincial, Phone (406) 721-6705 and federal governmental agencies interested in grizzly bears, and the National Wildlife Federation.

Eighth Western Black Bear Workshop May 2003, Bozeman, Montana, USA Hosted by the Hornocker Wildlife Institute

This workshop is now sanctioned by the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Contact: Howard Quigley Hornocker Wildlife Institute 2023 Stadium Drive, Suite 7 Bozeman, MT 59719, USA Phone (406) 522-9333 Fax (406) 522-9377 Email [email protected]

© Catherine Norkin

38 International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 Events 14th Conference— International Association for Bear Research and Management

people from countries manuscript are due at the time of the with dense bear conference, but earlier submissions populations can are welcome. Send to: imagine. Rich Harris, editor, Ursus “Living with Bears” 218 Evans is the theme for this Missoula, MT 59801, USA conference. Increased Phone & Fax (406) 542-6399 knowledge of bears Email [email protected] and bear biology is absolutely necessary Proposed Session & for handling the new Workshop Themes: situation properly. • Human dimensions in bear man- agement. Call for Papers • Bears, livestock and wildlife. The deadline for • Reintroduction and augmentation submitting abstracts of bears. Steinkjer, Norway for proposed oral or poster presenta- • Polar bears, biology and management. Dampsaga Kulturhus tion was December 15, 2001. We • Status and management of bear (Old Sawmill Culture Hall) have so far received 75 abstracts from habitat worldwide. July 28-August 3, 2002 all over the world. If you missed the • Bears and media. deadline, upon request (send an • Limitations for release of rehabili- Conference website: email), we will accept abstracts for tated bears. http://www.hint.no/ posters until April 1. Abstracts Suggestions for other topics are welcome! bearconference should be in English and no longer Final decisions concerning The website will be updated regularly. than one page (maximum 650 sessions and workshops will be made words). Send WORD document as an after February 1, when the scientific Co-chairs: attachment and copy the text into the comittee has evaluated the submitted Ole Jakob Sorenson email message to: [email protected]. abstracts. Phone (47) 74 11 20 52 Please list all authors and affilia- Fax (47) 74 11 21 01 tions as well as present address, Travel & Conference Grants Email [email protected] phone number, fax number, and Funds for IBA travel grants are & email address. limited, and so not all qualified Tor Kvam Sending an abstract is not registra- applicants will receive travel grants Phone (47) 74 11 21 19 tion for the conference. or full funding for all expenses. IBA Fax (47) 74 11 21 01 The authors of accepted presenta- travel grants are limited to less than Email [email protected] tions are expected to submit the full- US$1,000. The deadline to apply for Nord-Trondelag University College length manuscript for the IBA journal IBA travels grants is April 1. See page (HiNT) Ursus at the time of the conference. Do 6 for details. Kongens gt. 42 not send full-length manuscripts to In addition, the 14th conference P.O. Box 145 the conference co-chairs; send them to organizers may have funds to assist N-7702 Steinkjer, Norway the editor of Ursus (address below). If with travel, registration and ex- you do not intend to publish your penses. These applications are also After several decades with no, or work in Ursus, you can apply for Poster due by April 1. Early applications are very few bears, Norwegians are B. Please indicate your intention with encouraged as they make fundraising experiencing the immigration of your submission. easier. Complete the form at http:// bears from the dense populations in Instructions to authors are avail- www.hint.no/bearconference, or neighboring Sweden, Finland and able at http://www.bearbiology.com/ contact the conference co-chairs Russia. There are few bears in umenu.html (address above). Norway, but those who are there Four double-spaced, paper copies create more worries and despair than (not electronic) of the full-length

International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 39 Events 14th Conference— International Association for Bear Research and Management

Conference Lodging and Food Schedule Room rates at Grand Hotel and We will start with an Tingvold Park Hotel: ice-breaker on Sunday Single room inc. breakfast evening. We have NOK 595 ($66) per person. prepared four days of Double room inc. breakfast presentations with field NOK 400 ($45) per person. trips on Wednesday. Six person rooms inc. breakfast The conference banquet NOK 220 ($24.50) per person. is scheduled for Monday Prices are lower at more humble, evening at Stiklestad but nice boarding houses. Culture Hall near the site Lunch at hotels and restaurants, of the Battle of Stiklestad, from NOK 50 ($6) per person. where St. Olaf, King of Dinner, from NOK 120 ($13.50) Norway, was killed in per person. 1030 AD. Before the Price adjustments may occur due Conference Registration banquet we will watch the historic to varying exchange rates. January Participants are encouraged to play, Stiklestadspelet, based on the 2002 exchange rates: US$1=NOK register for the conference and make tradition from 1030 AD. You will find 9.00, 1EURO=NOK 8.00. hotel reservations online: http:// more information on Stiklestad and St. www.hint.no/bearconference. Those Olaf at: http://www.medsca.org/olaf/ Travel to Steinkjer without internet access may use the frameset.html. Oslo Airport Gardermoen, the new registration form on page 43. international airport outside Oslo, is You may register for the confer- Evening Excursions the main entrance to Norway. Two ence until the day we start, July 28, A variety of low cost evening flights every hour (Boeing 737) leave but the cost is lower before April 1, excursions have been planned: from Gardermoen for Trondheim Airport 2002. The registration fee covers visiting a deer farm to moose VÊrnes, which is situated 120 km attendance at all the scientific spotting and salmon fishing. Book- south of Steinkjer. Trains from sessions, abstract booklet, and the ing for evening excursions will be on Trondheim to Steinkjer leave VÊrnes at full social program, including the a first-come, first-serve basis. Reserva- 15 minutes before the hour from 0545 historic play Stiklestadspelet and tions can be made at the conference to 2345. The railway station is just conference banquet on Monday, and website (http://www.hint.no/ outside the airport entrance. The train the Wednesday field trip. bearconference) and at the registra- reaches Steinkjer one hour and thirty tion desk at Dampsaga Kulturhus. minutes later. Accompanying Persons The Quality Grand Hotel is 100 m Accompanying persons (who have Post-Conference Field Trips from the train station in Steinkjer, not paid the conference registration We are providing field trips of where registration on Sunday and fee) do not have access to the varying lengths and costs after the hotel reservations will be arranged. scientific sessions and will have to conference: from a hike in typical The registration desk moves to pay NOK 350 for joining the social mid-Scandinavian bear habitat in Dampsaga Kulturhus beginning program (including Stiklestadspelet, back-country areas on the border Monday. Coach service from Quality the conference banquet and the between Norway and Sweden to an Grand hotel to Dampsaga Kulturhus Wednesday field trip). excursion to polar bear habitat in will be available on arrival in Steinkjer Svalbard (Spitsbergen). See page 42 on Sunday and Monday. Coach service and the conference website (http:// on arrival will also be arranged for www.hint.no/bearconference) for participants/guests who have booked details. Please register for field trips at other hotels. Coach service between using our online form. Field trips will the hotels and the conference site be booked on a first-come, first-serve (Dampsaga Kulturhus) will be available basis. every morning.

40 International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 Events 14th IBA Conference Excursions

There are three types of excursions: 1.5 Boat Trip on the Snåsa Lake 1. afternoon–night trips; 2. full day Location: The Snåsa Lake and trips; 3. daytime family trips. surrounding areas. Theme: Snåsa Lake boat trip on 1. Afternoon–Night Trips Bonden II. Go ashore at Bøla for a visit 1.1 Roe Deer on Ytterøy to the world famous rock carving of Location: Ytterøy Island in the the Bøla reindeer from 4000 BC. Be Trondheim fjord. aware: Loch Ness is not the only lake Theme: The densest population of where Nessie is observed! The speci- roe deer in Norway. men in the Snåsa Lake has officially Price: NOK 300 per person includ- been declared a protected species. ing bus transport, ferryboat and an Price: NOK 170 per person includ- dogs, fences and other remedies to excellent meal of red deer venison. ing bus transport, and a full meal on survive as sheepholders. 1.2 Norwegian Deer Farming the boat. Price: Included in conference fee. Location: Gjørv Farm, Inderøy. 1.6 Outdoor Camp 2.2 Coast Excursion Theme: Visit a deer farm with Location: Brandheia Outdoor Location: Sørgjæslingan Fishing approximately 200 animals and learn Camp, Ogndal. Village. By bus from Steinkjer to about management, harvesting, venison Theme: Outdoor camp activities. Namsos (80 km). From Namsos by production and economy. See a tradi- Running on floating logs, swimming boat in the beautiful coastal waters tional Gjørv Farm with typical regional in the Østervatnet Lake, wood heated on Namsen Fjord to the ancient and buildings, its history and culture. sauna, outdoor tourism, etc. remote fishing village. Price: NOK 300 per person includ- Price: NOK 350 per person includ- Theme: Boat trip with the coast ing bus transport, and an excellent ing bus transport and an exotic meal guard vessel KV Garsøy. Coastal and meal of deer venison from the farm. from local game resources, and “black marine flora and fauna, fish farming, 1.3 Moose Safari kettle” coffee cooked over an open fire. and traditional ocean fishing. Location: Beitstad, Steinkjer. 1.7 Canoeing and Cave Visit Price: Included in conference fee. Theme: Bus trip with a local guide Location: Ogndalen Valley, Steinkjer. to observe moose in their natural Theme: Visit natural rock caves 3. Family Trips environment. and take a canoe ride on the calm Special programs for families. Price: NOK 300 per person including river. All participants will be fully 3.1 Zoological Park and Amuse- bus transport and an excellent moose equipped with safety gear. ment Center venison meal, served in a forest camp. Price: NOK 300 per person includ- Location: Namsskogan Family Park 1.4 Go-Cart Driving ing bus transport, and outdoor meal (110 km. from Steinkjer). Location: Overrein Go-Cart with sandwiches, coffee/tea and Theme: A zoological center with Centre, Ogndal. chocolate. NOK 150 per person activities such as a barbecue, swim- Theme: Go-cart driving. including bus transport for canoeing ming, target shooting, etc. Meals can Price: NOK 100 per person only (no meal included). be purchased at the cafeteria. They including bus transport. even have bears. 2. Full Day Trips Price: NOK 170 per person includ- Wednesday June 31 2002, leave ing bus transport but no meals. Steinkjer after an early breakfast. 3.2 Outdoor Camp 2.1 Bear Country Excursion Location: Brandheia Outdoor Location: By bus (160 km) to Camp (16 km from Steinkjer). Lierne, on the border with Sweden. Theme: Canoeing and small boat Theme: Visit farms where preda- rowing on the nearby lake, shooting, tion on sheep has been severe for running on floating logs, nature years. Hear and see the effect on the trails, fish grilling, etc.—safe and life of local people, and how they are interesting for all ages. trying to solve their problems. Visit Price: NOK 130 for adults and NOK 80 sheep-holders who use guarding- for children including bus transport.

International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 41 Events 14th IBA Post-Conference Trips

Svalbard/Spitsbergen Departure: Trondheim airport Saturday, August 3. Price: approximately NOK 15,000 including flight and visit. A one week trip including a two-day stay in Longyearbyen (UNIS, coal mines, museum) and a boat trip along the northwest coast with the midnight sun. We hope to observe polar bear north of New Ålesund.

Experience the Norwegian Coast Enjoy the coast in a traditional sailing boat for three to four days. Price range: NOK 2,500.

From Steinkjer to the Moose Symposium in Hafjell A. Via Dovre. Two nights at Kongsvoll Mountain Inn with a mountain safari, musk ox and wolverine. B. Via Røros. Two nights in Røros, a UNESCO world heritage site comparable to the Egytian pyramids or Versailles. For more information: http:// www.rorosinfo.com.

Lierne— Norwegian Bear Kingdom A. Mountain trip with tents. A demanding trip for people interested in camping, which will be weather dependent. B. A stay at Lierne Motel (May- Britt) for two to four nights. Full board, lodging, day trips. Possible bear meat on the menu. Price: Approximately NOK 2000.

We will try to arrange other trips of interest to participants. All trips are subject to sufficient interest.

42 International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 Events 14th IBA Conference Registration Form We urge all who have access to the internet to register online at http://www.hint.no/bearconference. Please note: Your registration will not be processed until payment has been received. Register one person per form. Print your name, as you would like it to appear on your nametag.

Name: ______

Organization: ______

Address: ______

City/State/Zip: ______

Email: ______

Emergency Contact Name: ______

Emergency Contact Phone: ______

Conference Registration Fee Includes: conference, breaks, conference banquet, Stiklestad play, conference site coach, Wednesday field trip.

Conference registration before April 1, 2002: NOK 2000; students: NOK 1600 NOK ______Conference registration after April 1, 2002: NOK 2400; students: NOK 1800 NOK ______

Guest tickets for Stiklestad play and conference banquet (NOK 350 per person) No. of guest tickets _____ NOK ______Stiklestad play and conference banquet is included in the conference fee. Accompanying persons must purchase guest tickets

TOTAL AMOUNT: NOK ______

Cancellation/Refund Policy for Conference Registration Fees: Written cancellations received before May 1, 2002 will receive a full refund subject to a NOK 500 processing fee. No refunds for no shows.

Mail payment and registration form to: HiNT/IBA Bear Conference, Serviceboks 2501, 7729 Steinkjer, Norway

You May Pay by Credit Card or Check: Make checks payable to: HiNT/IBA Bear Conference

VISA/MasterCard accepted. Check card type: VISA______MasterCard ______

Signature______Card #______Expiration date______

We intend to make this conference accessible to all individuals. If you have a disability or dietary needs and require accommodations to participate, please check here ______. Someone will contact you to discuss your specific needs.

Wednesday field trip—NOT a reservation, just a survey of wishes. I would like to join a field trip to: 1. Bear habitats on the Swedish border. ______2. Coast of central Norway (salmon farming, fishing). ______3. Other suggestions. ______

International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 43 International Bear News

The quarterly newsletter of the International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA). Editor: Teresa DeLorenzo, Design Editor: Cynthia Cheney, Conservation Publications, Inc. International Bear News, ISSN #1064-1564 10907 NW Copeland St., Portland, Oregon 97229-6145, USA Phone (503) 643-4008, Fax (503) 643-4072, Email [email protected] Website www.bearbiology.com

All members receive the newsletter. Send articles, artwork, photographs, etc. for publication to the address above. Deadline for the May 2002 issue is April 15, 2002.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this issue. Artwork is copyrighted—do not reproduce without permission. Thank you to CityGraphics, Portland, Oregon, USA for generously discounting the cost of printing.

Membership Use the form on the pages 45-46 to order or renew memberships, and update member information. About the International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) The International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) is a non-profit tax-exempt (U.S.A. tax # 94-3102570) organization open to professional biologists, wildlife managers and others dedicated to the conservation of all bear species. The organization has over 750 members from about 44 countries. It supports the scientific management of bears through research and distribution of information. The IBA sponsors international conferences on all aspects of bear biology, ecology and management. The proceedings are published as peer-reviewed scientific papers in the annual journal Ursus.

IBA Officers and Council Harry Reynolds, President* Frank van Manen, Treasurer* Karen Noyce* Alaska Department of Fish and Game U.S. Geological Survey Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources 1300 College Road Southern Appalachian Field Laboratory 1201 East Highway 2 Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA University of Tennessee Grand Rapids, MN 55744, USA Phone (907) 459-7238 274 Ellington Hall Phone (218) 327-4432 Fax (907) 451-9723 Knoxville, TN 37996, USA Fax (218) 327-4181 Email [email protected] Phone (865) 974-0200 Email [email protected] Fax (865) 974-3555 Djuro Huber, Vice President for Eurasia^ Email [email protected] Bernard Peyton^ University of Zagreb 2841 Forest Avenue Biology Department, Veterinary Faculty Andrew Derocher* Berkeley, CA 94705, USA Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb Norwegian Polar Institute Phone (510) 549-9661 Republic of Croatia Tromso N-9296, Norway Fax (510) 549-3116 Phone 385 1 2390 141 Phone 47 77 750524 Email [email protected] Fax 385 1 244 1390 Fax 47 77 750501 Email [email protected] Email [email protected] Chuck Schwartz* Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team Sterling Miller, Vice President for Americas* John Hechtel* Forestry Sciences Lab, Montana State University National Wildlife Federation Alaska Department of Fish and Game Bozeman, MT 59717, USA 240 North Higgins, Suite 2 1800 Glenn Highway, Suite 4 Phone (406) 994-5043 Missoula, MT 59802, USA Palmer, AK 99645, USA Fax (406) 994-6416 Phone (406) 721-6705 Phone (907) 746-6331 Email [email protected] Fax (406) 721-6714 Fax (907) 746-6305 Email [email protected] Email [email protected] Jon Swenson^ Dept. of Biology and Nature Conservation Joseph Clark, Secretary* Bruce McLellan, Past President* Agricultural University of Norway U.S. Geological Survey British Columbia Forest Service Postbox 5014 Southern Appalachian Field Laboratory Research Branch N-1432 Ås, Norway University of Tennessee RPO #3, Box 9158 Phone 47-64 94 85 30 274 Ellington Hall Revelstoke, B.C. V0E 3K0, Canada Fax 47-64 94 85 02 Knoxville, TN 37996, USA Phone (250) 837-7767 Email [email protected] Phone (865) 974-4790 Fax (250) 837-7626 Fax (865) 974-3555 Email [email protected] Richard B. Harris, Ursus Editor (non-voting) Email [email protected] Wildlife Biology Program University of Montana 218 Evans Missoula, MT 59801, USA *term expires 2004 Phone & Fax (406) 542-6399 ^term expires 2002 Email [email protected]

44 International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 Membership Application & Survey

Please Complete the Form on Both Sides Tear Out & Mail, or Download the Form at www.bearbiology.com

NAME______AFFILIATION______ADDRESS______CITY______STATE/PROVINCE______ZIP+4 or POSTAL CODE______COUNTRY______PHONE______FAX______EMAIL______❏ Check this box if you WANT your membership information shared with other conservation organizations. ❏ Address Change ❏ Membership US$25.00 per year for one or two years, US$20.00 per year for three years or more. ❏ New ❏ Renewal Number of Years______US$______❏ Gift Membership Number of Years______US$______Gift Membership for: Name______❏ or IBA selected Address______

❏ Tax-Deductible Contribution to IBA US$______TOTAL AMOUNT US$______❏ Check or Money Order in US$. Make payable to IBA. ❏ MasterCard ❏ VISA

Cardholder Name______

Card #______

(government cards include customer #) ______

™ Expiration Date______

Signature ______SEND TO: Joseph Clark, IBA Secretary Southern Appalachian Field Laboratory University of Tennessee 274 Ellington Hall Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, USA Fax (865) 974-3555 Email [email protected] Please fill out both sides of the form! Form also available at www.bearbiology.com! The IBA knows deserving biologists who need memberships, please consider donating one. Join and Receive International Bear News

February 2002, Vol. 11, No. 1 OFFICE USE ONLY

Date Received______Amount Received______Start Issue______End Issue______Date Entered DB______

International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 45 Member Application & Survey

46 International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 IBA Publications Order Form Ursus Journal & IBA Conference Proceedings Cost Quantity Total 4th 1980 Montana 1977 $30.00 5th 1983 Wisconsin 1980 $30.00 6th 1986 Arizona 1983 $30.00 7th 1987 Virginia/Yugoslavia 1986 $35.00 8th 1990 British Columbia 1989 $40.00 9th (1) 1994 Montana 1992 $45.00 9th (2) 1997 France 1992 $25.00 10th 1998 Ursus-Alaska/Sweden '95 $40.00 11th 1999 Ursus 11 NEW! $45.00 12th 2001 Ursus 12 NEW! $45.00 Eastern Black Bear Workshop Proceedings, USA 5th 1980 North Carolina 1980 $10.00 10th 1991 Arkansas 1990 $15.00 13th 1996 Vermont 1996 $15.00 16th 2001 South Carolina 2001 NEW! $15.00 Western Black Bear Workshop Proceedings, USA 1st 1979 Arizona 1979 $15.00 4th 1993 California 1991 $15.00 5th 1995 Utah 1993 $15.00 7th 2001 Oregon 2000 NEW! $15.00 Polar Bear Proceedings 10th 1988 USSR NEW! $10.00 Safety in Bear Country Videos NEW! Staying Safe in Bear Country $20.00 Staying Safe in Bear Country & Working in Bear Country $30.00 Staying Safe in Bear Country Public Performance Rights $69.00 Staying Safe in Bear Country/Working in Bear Country PPR $129.00 Monographs of the IBA A Proposed Delineation of Critical Grizzly Bear Habitat in the Yellowstone Region (#1, 1977) By J. J. Craighead $10.00 The Status and Conservation of the Bears of the World (#2, 1989) By C. Servheen $10.00 Density-Dependent Population Regulation of Black, Brown and Polar Bears (#3, 1994) Edited by M. Taylor $10.00 Population Viability for Grizzly Bears: A Critical Review (#4, 2001) NEW! By M. Boyce, B. Blanchard, R. Knight, C. Servheen $10.00

Make US$ Check or Money Order PAYABLE to IBA TOTAL US$

Please fill out form legibly! MasterCard_____ or VISA_____ Card # ______

Expiration Date______Customer # (for government cards)______

Signature on Card______

Name

Address ™ City/State/Zipcode/Country

Phone, Fax & Email SEND TO (Please allow 4 to 6 weeks for delivery): Terry D. White, Southern Appalachian Field Laboratory, 274 Ellington Hall, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA; Fax (865) 974-3555

International Bear News February 2002 vol. 11, no. 1 47 International Bear News The Newsletter of the International Association NONPROFIT for Bear Research and Management (IBA) U.S. POSTAGE PAID 10907 Northwest Copeland Street PORTLAND, OR Portland, Oregon 97229-6145, USA PERMIT NO. 1992

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

LET US HEAR FROM YOU— PLEASE COMPLETE AND MAIL THE IBA MEMBER SURVEY ON PAGES 45-46 ALSO AVAILABLE AT WWW.BEARBIOLOGY.COM

IBA Mission Statement Goal: The goal of the International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) is to promote the conservation and restoration of the world’s bears through science-based research, management and education. Objectives: In support of this goal, IBA’s objectives are to: 1. Promote and foster well-designed research of the highest professional standards. 2. Develop and promote sound stewardship of the world’s bears through scientifically based population and habitat management. 3. Publish and distribute, through its conferences and publications, peer-reviewed scientific and technical information of high quality addressing broad issues of ecology, conservation and management. 4. Encourage communication and collaboration across scientific disciplines and among bear researchers and managers through conferences, workshops and newsletters. 5. Increase public awareness and understanding of bear ecology, conservation, and management by encouraging the translation of technical information into popular literature and other media, as well as through other educational forums. 6. Encourage the professional growth and development of our members. 7. Provide professional counsel and advice on issues of natural resource policy related to bear management and conservation. 8. Maintain the highest standards of professional ethics and scientific integrity.

Deadline for the May 2002 issue is April 15, 2002 48 printed with soy-based ink on chlorine-free, acid-free, 25% hemp, 25%International cotton, 50% Bear post-consumer News February waste 2002 paper vol. 11, no. 1