Semen Collection in Captive Andean Bears

Home , Margay

International Bear News Quarterly Newsletter of the International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) and the IUCN/SSC Bear Specialist Group November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4

IBA website: www.bearbiology.org/www.bearbiology.com Table of Contents Council News 3 From the President 5 New Policy Guidance for IBA 6 Proposed IBA Bylaws Changes 7 Bear Conservation Fund: IBA Funding and Development Committee 8 Three IBA Grant Programs: Travel, Experience, Research 16th IBA Conference 9 Summary, Awards, Conservation of Bears in Asia and Latin America, Population Management, Bear Conservation in Europe, Population Ecology, Techniques Opinion 16 Reader Response: Yellowstone Grizzly Delisting Proposal Should IBA Endorse Delisting the Yellowstone Grizzly? 18 Yellowstone Grizzly Delisting Issue Not Appropriate for IBA Refrain from Yellowstone Position 19 Argument Against Yellowstone Grizzly Delisting 20 Yellowstone Grizzly References Bear Specialist Group 21 European Brown Bear Expert Team 22 Bear Specialist Group Coordinating Committee Eurasia Swiss Brown Bear 23 Asian Bear Symposium and Workshop in Japan 24 Bornean Sun Bear and Bearded Pig Research and Conservation Project 25 Biogeographic Ecology of the Malayan Sun Bear Americas 27 Dialogue Helps Andean Bear Conservation 28 Andean Bear-livestock Conflict: Applying the Landscape Species Conservation Model 31 Evidence of Andean Bear in Northwest Argentina 32 Grizzlies in British Columbia Final Report: Eastern Slopes Grizzly Bear Project 33 Northcentral USA/Southcentral Canada Bear Sightings in South Texas? 34 During 2005 More People Killed by Bears in North America Than in Any Previous Year 35 East Texas Report 36 Louisiana Bear Repatriation Project Documents Cub Adoption 37 Washington Manuals for Managing Bear Conflicts and Wildlife Attacks Captive Bears 38 Semen Collection in Captive Andean Bears 39 Mucous Stools in Andean Bears Student Forum 40 Truman Takes Italy by Storm(s)!; IBA Student? The List Serve is for You! Information Please 41 Bear Trust Looking for Good Bear Stories Bears in Culture 42 Exit, pursued by a bear Publications 44 Book Review: Into Brown Bear Country 45 Bear Habitat Management Guide Online Living in Bear Country Video/DVD Events 46 First European Congress of Conservation Biology; 42nd N. American Moose Conf.; American Zoo & Aquarium Association Regionals 47 Ninth Western Black Bear Workshop 48 Japan 17th IBA Conference .com. 51 Mexico 18th IBA Conference IBA 52 IBA Officers & Council .bearbiology 53 IBA Membership Application 55 IBA Publications Order Form Back About IBA and Mission Statement Back issues available at www International Bear News, ISSN #1064-1564, quarterly newsletter of the International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA). Editor: Teresa DeLorenzo, Design: Cynthia Cheney, 10907 NW Copeland St., Portland, Oregon 97229-6145, USA. Phone (503) 643-4008, Fax (503) 643-4072, Email [email protected], Website www.bearbiology.com/www.bearbiology.org. Editorial Policy International Bear News welcomes articles about biology, conservation and management of the world’s eight bear species. Submis- sions of about 750 words are preferred, and photos, drawings and charts are appreciated. Submissions to [email protected] are preferred, otherwise mail or fax to the address above. IBA reserves the right to accept, reject and edit submissions. Deadline for the February 2006 issue is January 15, 2006. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this issue. Artwork is copyrighted — do not reproduce without permission. Thank you to CityGraphics and Imaging, Portland, Oregon, USA for generously discounting the cost of printing. Membership Use the form on the page 53 to order or renew memberships, make donations, and update member information. 2 International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 Council News From the President

Harry Reynolds superb. This is the first conference in Donation to IBA PO Box 80843 which a student presented an invited In support of bear conservation Fairbanks, AK 99708, USA paper —Ximena Velez-Liendo—and and the interchange made possible Phone (907) 479-5169 chaired a session—Andreas Zedrosser. by the 16th IBA conference, Email [email protected] The program to bring bears back Giovanni Laezza, director of the Riva [email protected] to Trentino is an outstanding effort del Garda Fierecongressi, where our that will lead to success, given meeting was held, donated 2,000 Italy 16th IBA Conference continued support. Bears and euros to further IBA programs. This IBA’s 16th international confer- humans can live together, to the gift is earmarked for the Experience ence was held September 27-October benefit of both. The effort here and Exchange Program (page 8), 1 in Riva del Garda, Italy (pages 9- provides an excellent example of the which will help biologists gain 15). The beauty of the area is unques- steps that must be taken to effec- technical training or experience with tioned. The city wraps the north tively enhance a depleted bear research or management problems. shore of Lake Garda which is ringed population. That bears are still by ancient castles and modern present here is the result of the Bear Specialist Group developments—all within sight of foresight of a few and the support of The 16th IBA conference also bears that now roam the surrounding the people of Trentino, in concert provided the opportunity for many habitat. Important for conference with the regional and national of the Expert Teams of the World site selection is that bear conserva- government. So few bears remained Conservation Union (IUCN)/Species tion will benefit from international that the outlook for their further Survival Commission’s Bear Specialist attention to promising programs persistence was poor until 10 bears Group (BSG) to meet and work and/or providing a venue to work were brought from Slovenia to toward solutions to common prob- towards solutions to regional prob- reinforce the population. This was lems (pages 21-22). This is the first lems. This conference certainly not a simple matter of moving bears conference that included a number of achieved these goals. from one region to another, but workshops dedicated to BSG. Expect Primary support for the confer- required an extensive public process an even greater BSG presence at the ence was provided by Provincia and biological assessment. 2006 17th IBA conference in Japan. Autonoma di Trento, Forest and The first goal for bear conservation Wildlife Service, and the National should always be to maintain IBA Council Election: Wildlife Institute of Italy. The existing populations and the habitat Genovesi, Huber, Vaughan committee chair and co-chairs who that supports them. Re-establishing a As provided in the bylaws, the superbly organized this conference depleted population is problematic. Vice President for Eurasia and two included Maurizio Zanin, Claudio The bear population in Trentino is Council Officers are elected in Groff and Piero Genovesi, along with now doing much better, but for their conjunction with the IBA Eurasia the Riva del Garda Fierecongressi future to be assured in the region, Conference. Piero Genovesi was conference center, many volunteers strong commitment, coordinated elected as Vice President for Eurasia. and agencies. The helpfulness, effort, and continued support by the Djuro Huber and Mike Vaughan were hospitality and friendliness of all regional and national governments is re-elected to Council. To maintain people involved as well as everyone crucial. Follow-through is essential. regional representation in South that we met in the region helped to There are many small bear popula- America, Isaac Goldstein was re- make the meeting an outstanding tions or subpopulations declining in appointed to Council. success. It was truly an international the world. Italy has shown leadership conference—individuals from 39 in providing an excellent example of President’s Award: countries shared perspectives and how one well-designed program can Djuro Huber & Jon Swenson insights on issues crucial to bear start on the road to success. It can be During IBA conferences, a conservation. This is the first confer- applied in other countries with President’s Award is given for ence with entire sessions dedicated similar problems. outstanding service to bear conserva- to Andean bears and south Asian tion and to IBA. Usually only one bears. Student participation and the award is given, but because of their quality of their presentations were equal contributions to bear biology

International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 3 Council News From the President, cont’d.

and conservation in Europe, this year Bylaws and Policy Changes on Asian bear issues, most of the is was my great pleasure to recognize Council voted unanimously to an problems faced by bears are universal both Djuro Huber and Jon Swenson interim bylaws changes regarding so everyone will benefit. for their lifetime dedication to bears resolutions. We felt that committing (photo page 21). Their accomplish- IBA to a resolution is serious enough Retirement and Mongolia ments, high research standards, that it should require a two-thirds My retirement from a 32-year enthusiasm and energy devoted to majority of mail ballots, just as is career in bear management and bears have spread to their many required for bylaws changes (page 6). research with the Alaska Department students. They have been instrumen- Increasingly IBA is asked to of Fish and Game began on Septem- tal in the positive changes in atti- respond to a wide array of issues ber 1. I look forward to spending tudes towards bears both within and affecting bears. Council recently more time on IBA and bear conserva- among the people and governments adopted a policy to guide our tion issues. of Europe. In addition, they have decision making (page 5). As I write this, I am in Mongolia selflessly contributed to making IBA with the Gobi bear research team. a more international organization. The team includes members of the Northern Forum United Nations Development IBA Webmaster Bear Conservation Program, the Mongolian Academy of Tully Hammill Retires During early August, I was invited Sciences, the Great Gobi Strictly After serving as IBA’s original to give a presentation on the func- Protected Area staff, Beringia South, webmaster for so long that he can’t tion and programs of IBA to the and IBA. It has received help from recall the year it was established, Northern Forum Bear Conservation these organizations and Peter Zahler Tully Hammill has retired from both Working Group meeting in Sapporo, of WCS, Cuddeback Non-Typical, his position with the University of Japan (page 23). This group includes Inc. remote cameras, an anonymous Washington and his volunteer biologists, managers and conserva- donor and the International Bear position with IBA. Tully has been the tionists of northern countries, Trust. The project is an outgrowth of first point of contact with IBA for primarily along the Pacific Rim a workshop convened by the Mongo- many people and made us accessible countries, but also western Russia lian Ministry for Nature and Envi- to the web. He deserves our heartfelt and northern Scandinavia. It has ronment during November 2004. thanks. direct links to regional governments The support for the project came and functions in part to assure that after IBA provided a small grant to IBA Grants sustainable development maintains assess minimum numbers of the Program Committee ecological integrity. This was a good remaining 20-50 bears in the Mongo- Shyamala Ratnayeke was ap- opportunity to discuss IBA and lian Gobi Desert using remote pointed to the Grants Program Northern Forum collaboration to cameras. Leveraged by the IBA grant, Committee to fill the position benefit bear conservation, and other sources developed. Providing vacated by Jon Swenson. Shyamala provided an opportunity to see the such a catalyst for research directed has worked extensively on sloth Japanese management approaches to enhance our knowledge of bears in her native Sri Lanka and is and research programs. endangered populations or subpopu- on the faculty of the University of lations continues to be a real Tennessee, Knoxville (page 8). 17th IBA Conference Japan strength of IBA. The 17th IBA conference will be The team placed one GPS satel- IBA Incorporation held in Japan, October 2-6, 2006 lite collar on a bear June 27, 2005; The Council voted to incorporate (pages 48-50). My recent visit to and hopes to place two more in the IBA as a non-profit organization. In Hokkaido confirms that the confer- next three weeks to assess move- addition to our tax-exempt, non- ence will be worthwhile. The people ment patterns between oases profit status for tax purposes, it gives are exceptionally friendly, it is very complexes in the Gobi, and to get a us an additional layer of legal protec- easy to travel, and the countryside is better idea of habitat use and tion and enhances the effectiveness of beautiful. This is the first IBA factors important in limiting the the Bear Conservation Fund (page 7). conference to be held in Asia, and population. although there will be an emphasis

4 International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 Council News New Policy Guidance for IBA

Joseph D. Clark, IBA Secretary 1. Compatible with Procedure for Handling Requests USGS-SAFL IBA Mission Statement. for IBA Involvement in Policy 274 Ellington Plant Sciences Building Policy issues should be evaluated 1. Any member of Council, University of Tennessee to determine whether the issue itself including all executive officers, if Knoxville, TN 37996, USA and the style of approach are consis- approached with a request for IBA Phone 865-974-4790 tent with the IBA Mission Statement. involvement in a policy issue or Email [email protected] endorsement or action of any kind, 2. Need for Science shall relay that request directly to the IBA has been asked with increas- Many policy issues involve entire Council in a timely manner. ing frequency to act on a wide array differences in agenda, philosophy or 2. After receiving a request, of environmental issues affecting desired outcome on the part of Council must first decide whether or bears. It has not always been easy to participants and may have little to not to become involved in the issue, determine whether IBA, as a profes- do with science. When requested to as outlined above. In some cases this sional organization, should respond. take action on an issue, IBA Council will be possible with little discussion. Council recently adopted the should carefully evaluate whether In more complicated cases, a deci- following policy guidance document. science is a relevant and necessary sion may require more information As always, your comments are part of resolving the issue. than initially provided. In such cases, welcome. Council will appoint one or more 3. Conservation Significance members to gather and summarize As a professional organization, the Issues for IBA involvement should the information necessary for International Association for Bear pertain to bear populations or Council to decide. Research and Management (IBA) subpopulations of significance. 3. If Council votes down a request, holds a recognized position in the There may, of course, be exceptions; either the IBA president or a desig- world conservation arena. While all this criterion is intended simply to nated Council representative will IBA members are concerned about assist in evaluating potential issues provide a formal written response to conservation of the world’s bears, as for involvement by IBA. the requestor, including an explana- professionals, we cannot afford to tion of why the IBA opted not to raise questions about our scientific 4. Catalytic Effect/Value Added take on the issue. objectivity. Policy statements that are IBA Council should determine 4. If Council votes to proceed with not firmly founded on the best whether involvement of the organi- an issue, either the IBA president or a available science have the potential zation will make a difference in the designated Council representative to undermine that credibility and, ability to resolve the issue, particu- will keep the party making the ultimately, the strength and unique- larly in catalyzing other interests. request informed about Council ness of IBA. Nevertheless, members decisions on the issue. of IBA can offer unique scientific 5. Clear Objectives 5. After voting to proceed with an perspectives and can synthesize The issue must have a clearly issue, Council will then decide what information to help reach solutions defined objective or outcome. form of involvement to pursue and to difficult issues to aid in decision will identify members willing to do making. The role of IBA in communi- 6. Consensus of Council the necessary work. IBA response cating this information is perhaps its Taking a position requires consen- may take any of the following forms: most important and unique func- sus of Council. • Letter from the IBA. tion. The goal of IBA should be to • Publication on the IBA website. maintain credibility and scientific In summary, IBA’s goal should be to • Formal position statement or integrity beyond question while create systems and capacity to commu- white paper. bringing relevant and timely infor- nicate information about scientific • Commissioned, published paper. mation to bear on the policy process. knowledge and experience to the • Creation of strategic initiative. Therefore, IBA Council involve- policy process. IBA and its members • Submission of a resolution to the ment in policy issues should be are most effective as translators membership for a vote. limited to those that meet the between research/scientific informa- 6. The resulting actions or inactions following criteria: tion and the decision making process. will be reported to the membership.

International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 5 Council News Proposed IBA Bylaws Changes

Joseph D. Clark, IBA Secretary Existing Section 2. Existing Section 3. USGS-SAFL Amendments to the Bylaws and Resolutions 274 Ellington Plant Sciences Building Resolutions Resolutions may be submitted by University of Tennessee Amendments to the Bylaws may any voting member for ratification Knoxville, TN 37996, USA be submitted by any voting member by a majority of the general member- Phone 865-974-4790 of the Association. All amendments ship present during IBA business Email [email protected] must be ratified by the membership meetings. Proposed resolutions may before becoming part of the Bylaws, also be submitted to the President, At the 16th IBA conference in Italy, except for interim Bylaws as de- published in the next Newsletter for September-October 2005, the IBA scribed below. All proposed amend- discussion/amendments, presented Council proposed the following ments shall be either submitted to for mail-in voting in the following changes to the bylaws. A ballot will the President and published in the newsletter (second presentation) and be mailed to IBA members to vote on next Newsletter or brought to the passed by a majority of mail-in the proposed changes. Proposed new floor of the IBA business meeting at ballots received by the Secretary language is in bold type. Existing the primary conference. Ratification within 30 days following its second language proposed for deletion is of amendments shall require a two- presentation in the Newsletter. underlined. thirds majority of voting members at Approved resolutions will be pub- the primary triennial conference lished in the next Newsletter follow- business meeting. Amendments ing their approval. Article VII. Bylaws and considered outside of the business Resolutions meeting shall be ratified by a two- thirds majority of mail ballots Section 1. Bylaws published in the next Newsletter and The workings and organization of received by the Secretary within 30 the Association shall include only days following their appearance in those listed in these Bylaws. Copies the Newsletter. of the Bylaws shall be available to any member upon request to the To accommodate resolution of Secretary. important issues in a timely manner that are not specifically Proposed New Section 2. addressed in the Bylaws, the Amendments to the Bylaws and Council may, by a two-thirds vote, Resolutions. establish interim Bylaw amend- Resolutions or bylaws amendments, that will remain in effect ments may be submitted by any until ratified or rejected by mail-in IBA member during the IBA ballot. Such interim amendments business meetings or to the presi- must be published in the next dent at any time. Proposed resolu- Newsletter and be ratified by a tions or bylaws changes will be two-thirds majority of returned published in the Newsletter for mail ballots. These mail ballots discussion and to ask members to shall be included with the Newslet- submit viewpoints. A ballot along ter following the initial publica- with representative viewpoints will tion to allow for open discussion be published in the following by members. In order to be newsletter and the resolution or counted, ballots must be received bylaw change must receive a two- by the Secretary within 30 days thirds majority vote for passage. following their appearance in the Newsletter.

6 International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 Council News Bear Conservation Fund: IBA Funding and Development Committee

Karen Noyce gift of $250,000 from a donor in any one who has an interest in Vice President for Americas 2004 will soon provide annual joining us to contact me right Minnesota Department endowment income for our grants away. We could especially use of Natural Resources program. members from outside North 1201 East Highay 2 Having made these first steps America who can provide perspec- Grand Rapids, MN 55744, USA towards our goal, the Funding and tive and/or experience with Phone (218) 327-4432 Development Committee is gearing charitable giving in Europe, Asia, Fax (218) 327-4181 up to start a new round of contacts or South America. Email [email protected] with individuals, corporations, and I am also asking all IBA mem- non-profit organizations that might bers to keep our goal in mind. If IBA initiated the Bear Conserva- like to support our programs. We you know or hear of anyone you tion Fund in 2004 in an effort to thank Bernie Peyton and Bruce believe could potentially provide greatly expand IBA’s capacity to fund McLellan, two of the architects of significant support to our pro- research and conservation projects, this effort, for all their work as they grams, please let us know so we develop a new experience and step down from the committee to can approach them. In this kind exchange program (page 8), and pursue other interests and responsi- of an effort, word of mouth and maintain publications and other bilities. In their place, Stephanie connecting to the right people are programs. The Funding and Develop- Simek, John Hechtel, and Seth keys to success. Thank you for ment Committee oversees this effort, Wilson join Harry Reynolds and your ideas! seeking individuals and organiza- myself, with Chris Morgan and John tions who like IBA’s science-based Schoen offering to help advise us on approach to bear conservation and direction and strategy. I encourage wish to support it. To date in 2005, donations to the Bear Conservation Fund totaled about $28,000, more than doubling the funds available for Research and Conservation Grants this year. Until recently, grants have been supported solely by the John Sheldon Bevins Memorial Foundation, which contributed $17,500 towards grants in 2005. In addition, a single

© Djuro Huber 16th IBA conference participants hike into brown bear mountain habitat (pages 9-15). International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 7 Council News Three IBA Grant Programs: Travel, Experience, Research

Frederick C. Dean Grants Information 810 Ballaine Road If you need grant information Fairbanks, AK 99709-6606, USA and cannot connect to the IBA Phone (907) 479-6607 website, contact the appropriate Email [email protected] committee chair:

Thanks to a great deal of hard 17th IBA Conference Travel Grants work by IBA members, officers, and Koji Yamazaki supporters the grants programs are Zoological Laboratory

© Joan Skidmore expanding. There are now three help stimulate exchanges between Ibaraki Nature Museum distinct kinds of grants available: people working on bears in different 700 Osaki, Bando-city Conference Travel Grants; Experi- parts of the world. These may serve Ibaraki 306-0622, Japan ence and Exchange Grants; and to increase the experience of some Phone +81 297 38 2000 Research and Conservation Grants. workers, to spread ideas, etc. Both Fax +81 297 38 1999 the hosts and the visitors are ex- Email [email protected] Conference Travel Grants pected to contribute to and benefit These grants are designed to help from exchanges. This program is Experience and Exchange Grants reduce the expenses associated with starting on a small scale. The first Ole Jacob Sørensen attending IBA conferences. For an grant(s) probably will be awarded in Nord-trondelag University College application and instructions for 2006. The EEG deadline is Decem- Faculty of Social Sciences travel grants to the next IBA confer- ber 1, 2005. Details about the and Natural Sciences ence see the IBA website: http:// program, example forms, and the Box 2501 www.bearbiology.org. From the application process are available at N-7729 Steinkjer, Norway home page link to conferences, then the IBA website: http:// Phone +4774112052 link to the 17th IBA conference in www.bearbiology.org. Follow the link Email [email protected] Japan (pages 48-50). IBA contributes to the section on grants information. seed money for travel grants to the Research and Conservation Grants local conference committee which Research and Conservation Frederick C. Dean then raises additional funds. The Research and Conservation 810 Ballaine Road Grants Program (RCG) is ongoing. Fairbanks, AK 99709-6606, USA Experience and The information on the IBA website Phone (907) 479-6607 Exchange Grants (http://www.bearbiology.org) has Email [email protected] The Experience and Exchange been expanded significantly. The Grants Program (EEG) is new this greatest change is in the RCG Important Note year. The EEG is opening exciting committee. Jon Swenson (Norway) The success of the grants pro- possibilities for increasing the has accepted other duties and has grams depends on: experience and training of people resigned from this committee. Jon • Generous financial support from working in bear research and conser- has worked hard for the grants all IBA members, whether from vation. There are also great opportu- program and to its great benefit. We donations or helping the Economic nities for well-established workers to will miss him and urge all in IBA to Development Committee reach gain a better understanding of applaud his effort. Shyamala potential donors (page 7). problems in unfamiliar parts of the Ratnayeke, a native of Sri Lanka now • Consistent hard work by grants world. Hopefully, most exchanges on the faculty of the University of program committee members. will be reciprocal. Tennessee at Knoxville, will take • High quality work by each The EEG Committee is chaired by Jon’s seat on the committee. grantee including informative Ole Jacob Sørensen (Norway), and The RCG deadline remains reports and photos which illustrate includes: Glen Contreras (USA), Isaac December 31, 2005. Instructions IBA-supported efforts in bear Goldstein (Venezuela), Petra and forms are available at http:// biology and conservation. Kaczensky (Germany), and Karen www.bearbiology.org. • Hard work on the part of the Noyce (USA). EEGs are intended to newsletter editor and the webmaster.

8 International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 16th IBA Conference 16th IBA Conference is Over...

Piero Genovesi Many attendees came from In addition, the opening remarks INFS-National Wildlife Institute Eastern Europe, Latin America and of the representative of the Ministry Email [email protected] Asia (27 supported through travel of Environment and the president of & grants). We are particularly proud of the National Wildlife Institute both Claudio Groff the interest that the conference highlighted the urgent need for a Provincia Autonoma di Trento raised among students—over 60 coordinated policy for the conserva- Forest and Wildlife Service students from 20 countries attended. tion of the brown bear in Abruzzo. Email [email protected] As IBA president Harry Reynolds We hope that the conference will noted (page 3), this was the first time raise this very delicate issue in the The 16th IBA conference, held in that a student, Andreas Zedrosser, political agenda of the country. Riva del Garda, Italy, September 27- chaired a session, and that another Conference attendees also had an October 1, 2005 was very successful. student, Ximena Velez-Liendo, opportunity to enjoy Italy—its wine, Oral and poster presentations with presented an invited paper. This was food and landscapes. We had a very high scientific standards, a beautiful also the first IBA conference with a nice ice breaker on the lake shore, a location (the conference hall is on session entirely devoted to conserva- beautiful banquet in the ancient the shore of Lake Garda with a view tion of bears in Latin America and castle of Toblino, and a full day of the Alps), nearby attractions in Asia, where some of the more excursion into the very heart of the Verona and Venice, and famous interesting contributions of the bear area, the amazing Adamello- regional wines all contributed to a conference were presented. Brenta Park. Park rangers showed us memorable meeting. With 394 With simultaneous translation the release area for translocated specialists attending from 39 coun- into Italian, the local staff of the bears, and a mountain hut used by tries, this was one of the largest IBA provincial forest service was able to shepherds in summer near sites of conferences ever organized. follow the scientific program. This bear predation. Over the five days with a tight was very important, because the Again with thanks to Carlo, agenda and many people involved, conference was also aimed at increas- photos of the conference, field trips everything worked perfectly and ing the involvement of the technical and excursion to Abruzzo are now smoothly. This was largely the staff involved in field work in posted on the conference webpage: result of the efforts of the Forest Trentino. www.provincia.tn.it/foreste/ and Wildlife Service of the Another critical aim of the 16IBAconference. Provincia of Trento and the Orikata conference was raising the profile of staff. We would like to particularly bear conservation among Italian thank Carlo Frapporti—who agencies and decision makers. prepared the beautiful wooden Damage caused by the translocated bears that welcomed participants— bears in Trentino is increasing, and and Davide Dalpiaz—who provided conflicts with local residents pose a flawless technical assistance to the complex challenge to the authorities conference. responsible for the reintroduction. A Almost 200 papers were submitted positive sign for bear conservation for the conference. Review commit- in northern Italy was provided by tee members Piero Genovesi, Jon the president of the Trentino local Swenson, Djuro Huber, Jorg Rauer government in his opening remarks and Luigi Boitani worked very hard to the conference, in which he selecting the oral presentations. The reaffirmed the government’s agenda was packed with 57 oral commitment to work in the coming presentations, two workshops, and years to ensure the success of the 126 posters. Conference organizers reintroduction. and the six session chairs kept the meeting on time throughout the entire five days.

International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 9 16th IBA Conference Awards Translocations

Sterling Miller Best Student Presentation Joseph Clark, Session Chair National Wildlife Federation Assessing bias of global positioning Email [email protected] Email [email protected] system radio-collars to study black bear & distribution patterns in a temperate The translocations session began Mike Vaughan forest environment, Olympic National with a paper presented by Georg Virginia Tech Park, Washington. Kate Sager, K. Rauer comparing spatial behavior of & Jenkins, P Happe, J. Beecham, and G. translocated and non-translocated Stefano Focardi Wright. bears in Europe. In general, translo- Instituto Nazionale cated bears exhibited greater mobil- per la Fauna Selvatica Honorable Mention: ity and larger home ranges after Effects of access and hunting on the translocation. The release site did not The awards committee, appointed demographics of black bears. Sophie necessarily become a central part of by conference co-chairs Piero M. Czetwertynski, M.S. Boyce, and the home range. That was followed Genovesi and Claudio Groff, was F.S. Schmiegelow. by a paper presented by Filipo handed a tough task because there Zibordi detailing a brown bear were so many excellent papers and Best Poster reintroduction program in the posters presented at the conference. Fine versus coarse landscape level Central Alps in Italy. An evaluation All of the presentations receiving comparisons of principal roadkill areas of habitat use by the reintroduced awards, and many others that didn’t, for the Florida black bear (Ursus bears led to a 12.3% increase in featured excellent presentations and americanus floridanus). Stephanie S. suitable habitat compared with what graphics as well as stimulating Simek, M. Endries, and S. Jonker. had been previously estimated. Piero science. We look forward to seeing Genovesi presented a paper on these award-wining papers and many Honorable Mentions: guidelines for bear reintroductions in of the other excellent presentations Kernel-based home range method Europe. The source of founders; between the covers of Ursus soon. for data with irregular sampling methods of capture, handling, The winners are: interval. J. Katajisto, A. Moilanen, transport and release; conflict and J.E. Swenson. management; and post-release Best Oral Presentation Density estimation: Model for monitoring were discussed. Finally, Non-invasive genetic sampling and combining DNA sampling, camera P.Y. Quenette presented an overview population estimation of brown bears in traps, and telemetry data with the of a bear reintroduction program in Europe. Lisette P. Waits, E. Bellemain, middle Georgia black bear population. France. A common theme of all the M. DeBarba, E. Randi, and P. Taberlet. J.L. Skvarla, and M.J. Conroy. talks was the importance of public (invited paper) A study by carbon and nitrogen involvement. It seems evident that stable isotopes on the turnover time of the sociological obstacles to bear Honorable Mentions: hair and blood in Asiatic black bear. R. reintroduction are likely to be more Non-invasive DNA sampling yields a Mizukami, T. Okano, S. Nakamura, challenging than the biological ones. diverse suite of ecological investigations C. Yayota, R. Narita, T. Komatsu, M. of grizzly bears in British Columbia, Yoh, H. Hayashi, and T. Tsubota. Canada, 1995-2005. Mike Proctor, B. The distribution of the sloth bear McLellan, D. Paetkau, C. Apps, G. (Melursus ursinus inornatus) in Sri Mowat, and J. Boulanger. Lanka. R.A. Pieris, V.S.J. Pragash, S. Harvesting Bears: Do we understand Ratnayeke, and F.T. Van Manen. what we are doing? Jon E. Swenson. (invited paper)

10 International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 16th IBA Conference Conservation of Bears in Asia and Latin America

Andreas Zedrosser, Session Chair small populations are scattered over increased due to social impoverish- Email [email protected] several mountain ranges. Brown bear ment. In 2003 an ecoregional populations in Pakistan have lost strategy for Andean bear conserva- This was the first session at an IBA connectivity with populations in tion was developed for the northern conference entirely devoted to bear Afghanistan and Tajikistan, but are Andes, however such a strategy is species in Asia and South America. well connected with populations in still missing for the southern Andes. These geographical regions are of northern India and probably south- A. Castellanos presented first special importance in the future of ern China. The major threat to results of a radio-telemetry study on bear research, conservation and conservation of brown bears in Andean bears in Ecuador. Average management, because they represent Pakistan is habitat fragmentation due home size was ~108 km2 for males several little-studied bear species, some to timber harvest, agricultural, and and ~29 km2 for females. Much of which are critically endangered. infrastructure development of the intraspecific tolerance was indicated S. Ratnayeke gave an invited growing human population. due to the extensive home range presentation on the conservation of S. Sathyakumar presented results overlap. Activity data suggested that sloth bears in Sri Lanka. A radiote- on the status and distribution of the the bears were more active during lemetry study showed that both Asiatic black bear in India and its the day. males and females had very small changes over the last 10 years. The P. Viteri discussed population home ranges, which was most likely status and distribution of the species estimation and genetic diversity of related to high habitat productivity. was evaluated through question- the Andean bear in Ecuador. The One hundred-twenty sloth bear naires, field surveys and expert results indicated that genetic indices attacks on humans were analysed knowledge in 1994-95 and re- are higher than in previous reports. and indicated that all attacks oc- evaluated in 2005. The results This study also constitutes the first curred in forest habitats remote from indicated a slight improvement in estimation of numbers of Andean villages. Because of frequent bear the status of Asiatic black bears. bears in the wild. attacks, local attitudes towards sloth Based on this information and GIS- S. Paisley studied Andean bear bears were negative. Reducing the modeling, the potential Asiatic black movements in Bolivia. The radio- risk of sloth bear attacks on humans bear habitat range was estimated at tracked animals mostly used high- will be crucial for the conservation of ~270.000 km2 in India. Poaching for altitude grasslands in the rainy the species. the illegal trade in bear parts and season, and cloud forest and the N.P.S. Chauhan presented results habitat degradation are the two ecotone between those two habitat on human-sun bear conflicts in major threats to the Asiatic black types during the dry season. This India. Ninety-five attacks on humans bear in India. difference was most likely related to were analysed and showed that most X. Velez-Liendo, an invited seasonally varying food resources. of the attacks occurred in forests and speaker, discussed the past, present I. Goldstein discussed the ecologi- involved people grazing cattle, and future of the conservation of the cal, social and economic aspects of farming or protecting crops, or Andean bear, a species listed as Andean bear-cattle conflicts in a moving in forests or the vicinity of vulnerable according to IUCN small rural community in Ecuador villages. Recommendations on how criteria. Habitat destruction and (page 28). Solutions by the commu- to reduce human-sun bear conflicts poaching are the principal threats for nity focused only on economic included restriction of human the species’ long-term survival. In compensation, but no cattle or bear activities in forests, especially during 1980, the Spectacled Bear Specialist management programs to prevent the night, protection and improve- Group was established to promote damages were addressed. New ment of potential bear habitat, and data collection on the species management practices like moving public education. distribution, habitat use and diet; in cattle into different areas, an envi- M.A. Nawaz presented an overview 1999 the Spectacled Bear Conservation ronmental education program and on the status and conservation of Action Plan was edited setting clear financial compensation mechanisms brown bears in Pakistan. The species priorities for future actions. However were amongst other suggestions to has been steadily declining and has due to lack of funding, research and reduce the conflict between locals gone extinct in several places over conservation actions are delayed and and bears. the last hundred years. Today 17 the threats to the species have

International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 11 16th IBA Conference Population Management

Andrew Derocher, Session Chair which examined the effects of the presentation of Mark Edwards Email [email protected] disturbance in the social organiza- who examined subpopulation tion of brown bears through the structure of grizzly bears using The population management session removal of adult males and found movement data in an area of oil and was the largest of those held in Riva that most cub mortality was associ- gas development in the Canadian del Garda with 12 talks centered on ated with the mating season. Follow- Arctic. The goal of the study was grizzly/brown and American black ing on the same theme, Karen Noyce aimed at estimating the proportional bears. The session opened with an examined the relationship between level of development influence invited presentation by Jon Swenson bear hunters, black bear abundance within a contiguous population. who provided a stimulating look at and autumn food abundance Along the same theme, Tabitha the effects of harvest on bears with through a fascinating series of Graves examined a method to the underlying theme that not all regression models that suddenly identify functional corridors for bears are created equal. Sara changed in 1995 and brought home brown bears on the Kenai Peninsula MacDougall shifted the session to the message that harvest manage- of Alaska. Using cluster analysis, look at human-bear interactions in ment is always a “work in progress.” movements from GPS collars were Kluane National Park and how the A small shift in the program saw Kim assigned as primary habitat (sinuous observations of users can be inte- Titus provide an overview of brown/ movements) or corridors (directional grated into decision making pro- grizzly bear management in Alaska movements). The goal was to allow cesses to reduce interactions. The that spanned almost 30 years and managers to identify important following presentation by Sophie examined populations that vary 60- linkage zones on the landscape. The Czetwertynski received an honorable fold in density and resulted in final presentation in this session was mention award for a student presen- >32,000 bears being harvested. The by Barbara Schwab who examined tation (page 10). Sophie provided an challenges of conflicting manage- GPS data in Alberta to examine overview of her research on the ment goals were brought forward in connectivity across a heterogeneous effects of access and hunting on the one area of the interior where bears and highly modified landscape. The demographics of black bears in are killing up to 52% of the neonate approach reduces landscape com- Alberta using hunted and unhunted moose and the current goal is to plexity to network components of areas to examine population struc- reduce the bear population to patches, connections (least-cost ture, demographics and condition. increase harvest opportunities for movement paths), and then multiple Shifting continents, Djuro Huber ungulates. Following the same connections. provided an overview of the growing theme, Harry Reynolds finished the The presentations were a clear brown bear population and its session for the day and moved demonstration that the science and management in Croatia and outlined further in discussing the specific management of the two species the challenges of keeping the bears goals of the population reduction examined in this session have moved as a game species in Croatia while and outlined the special measures quantum leaps forward. The level of CITES and other EU regulations view being undertaken to reduce the sophistication in study design, it as an endangered species. Down a population of 135 resident bears by analysis, and interpretation have rather different path, Karen Graham 60%. It was clear that the goals of moved the field of ursid ecology and examined “What are grizzly bears the program were not going to be applied management forward to the really doing around roads?” and easy to achieve and the outcome by cutting edge of large mammal provided a rigorous framework for no means certain. research. assessing the factors that affect road Bright and early on Saturday, the crossing by grizzlies which often hearty few that had managed to push increases the risk of mortality away from their breakfast table and through vehicle strikes or poaching. the delicious Italian coffee made it to Following a leisurely lunch along the shores of Garda Lake (the most Mediterranean of the alpine Italian lakes) the session reconvened with a presentation by Jonna Katajisto

12 International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 16th IBA Conference Bear Conservation in Europe

Djuro Huber, Session Chair news is that the area of occupancy management policies that differ Email [email protected] decreased in the past 15 years by 11% among countries depending on and 37%, respectively, and the size of economic and social acceptance. On the first day of the conference the gap between the nuclei increased. Some of the thoughts expressed were in Riva del Garda, right after the After we heard about two of the repeatedly cited by other presenters welcome and opening remarks, the smallest European bear populations, during the remaining course of the session on bear conservation in George Predoiu, with two co-authors, conference. Europe started. spoke about the largest one that lives Robin Rigg with his co-workers The conference room was full in Romania. Although the popula- presented a comprehensive review of with 392 registered participants from tion seems stable and vital, the threat factors that are influencing the 39 countries, still fresh and eager to is the potential danger of habitat perception of large carnivores in follow the presentations. The fragmentation, which may arise Slovakia. They compared the three technical side was also superb, both from the post-communist reforms species and found that lynx is the from the side of organizers and the that include new legislation, the most, and wolf the least accepted. presenters, thus making real shows privatization of forests, and new Bears were rated the most dangerous, of each contribution. Even the economic development in bear and the shepherds were the most eternal challenge of staying within habitat. On the positive side, the negative occupational group. the time limits worked very nicely authors studied the population In the third presentation on with the distinguished group of connectivity and prepared an Cantabrian bears Alberto Fernandez- authors. integrated GIS map that will be Gil and four co-authors described the Invited speaker Luigi Boitani used for strategic planning of long study of bear food habits and its eloquently described the real term biodiversity conservation in change over the last 30 years. In the challenge of saving a remnant, Romania. omnivorous diet on graminoids and isolated, and small population of Javier Naves and four co-authors herbs, they found increasing grazing brown bears in the Abruzzo area in brought us back to two isolated pressure (competitors) and the global the Italian Apennines. Various Cantabrian bear subpopulations and climate change as the main reasons agencies and interest groups are the problem of their separation, for diet shift, and an additional trying to do their best to help the which is perceived as one of the key possible threat for population bears, but much of their efforts were obstacles for their recovery. The gap recovery. wasted in the lack of the coordina- between western and eastern bears is The last presentation in the tion. Even scientific research failed about 30 km wide and contains a session was by Jonas Kindberg (with to provide the key management highway, railroad and reservoirs. A six co-authors) and he showed us directions. This conference could be new high-speed railway is under how the fine use of bear telemetry the turning point as most relevant construction. The authors simulated data can reveal the details of bear political, professional and scientific the effect of the operational phase of habitat use in Scandinavia. Among persons were present and they all the new railway and found 19% less other results they found that female promised to collaborate. probability of connection. Even the bears prefer rugged terrain and tend Out of the group of six co-authors simulated increases of forest cover of to stay over 10 km away from the Juan Herrero from Spain presented up to 91 km2 did not show satisfac- source of human disturbance. on the trends and distribution of tory mitigation. Conservation efforts are to take into another small and isolated European The fifth presentation of the account such findings when plan- brown bear population in the session by John Linnell from Norway ning any further development. Cantabrian Mountains in Spain, was a creative analysis of PVA which is subdivided into two nuclei. (population viability analysis) This was the first of three presenta- concepts based on an increasing tions on these bears. The good news research database in relation to is that reproduction was confirmed in both nuclei with 1.8 and 1.5 cubs per litter, respectively, indicating slight recovery. However, the bad

International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 13 16th IBA Conference Population Ecology

Lisette Waits, Session Chair knowledge on bear-salmon interac- and segregation. This study high- Email [email protected] tions by addressing predation rates lighted the use of non-invasive on salmon, benefits to bears, and genetic sampling to address behav- The population ecology session of benefits to the riparian forests. ioral questions. the conference included a variety of The Scandinavian bear project The next speaker, Catherine talks on brown bear and American contributed two talks. First, Jon Tredick, also used non-invasive black bear ecology from Europe and Swenson described a study that genetic sampling to study population North America. evaluated the level of interspecific abundance and genetic relatedness of Michael Proctor launched the competition for berries between black bears in coastal Virginia and session with an evaluation of sub- brown bears and other mammal and North Carolina. Nearly 5,500 hair population boundaries of grizzly bird species in the coniferous boreal samples were collected at barbed wire bears in Southwest Canada and the forest of Sweden. They concluded hair traps over four summers and Northwest United States using a that significant interspecific competi- very high bear densities were ob- combination of genetic analysis and tion did not occur and many berries served. Analysis of genetic structure GIS. Using microsatellite analysis of were available. Second, Ole-Gunnar across the study area revealed three 15 loci from 1,266 bears, Bayesian Stoen used a combination of genetic genetic groups (subpopulations) of clustering methods, and genetic data and field data to evaluate kin- bears. assignment tests, he revealed 11 sub- related spatial structure among In the final talk of the session, population units across a 150,000 Scandinavian brown bears. He Andres Ordiz described his effort to km2 area and discussed the need for detected kin-related spatial structure improve the criteria used when efforts to maintain connectivity. in females and documented that counting females with cubs for Moving to Europe, the next overlap in home ranges of females population monitoring by taking presentation by Andreas Zedrosser was positively correlated with distance in time and space into evaluated annual reproductive relatedness. Kin-related structure was consideration. He observed that success and possible determinants not observed for male-male compari- females in the boreal forests of among male brown bears in two sons or male-female comparisons. Scandinavia moved farther than study areas in Scandinavia using a Moving back to North America, native females in south central combination of field and genetic Lily Peacock evaluated the hypoth- Europe. data. In general, older, larger and esis that bears exhibit sexual segrega- In conclusion, this was an interest- more genetically diverse males had tion on salmon streams using ing and diverse session that demon- greater annual reproductive success, unbaited barbed wire hair traps to strated the value of integrating but the relative importance of each collect 1,554 genetic samples from research methods such as GIS and factor varied by study area. black bears at seven salmon streams spatial analysis, genetic approaches, The next two talks focused on over a two year study. After analyz- stable isotope analysis, and tradi- bear-salmon interactions in North ing samples to individual and sex, tional field work. America. First, Jennie Christensen she used a logistic model-based described how she has documented approach to determine that habitat elevated organochlorine pesticides type and trail were significant and polybrominated diphenyl ethers variables explaining female presence in hair and fat tissue of bears feeding on Pacific salmon. This research highlighted the global nature of environmental contamination and a possible risk for bears. Second, Scott Gende reviewed current

14 International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 16th IBA Conference Techniques

Shyamala Ratnayeke, Session Chair The safe and effective handling of Montana, USA. The approach uses Email [email protected] large charismatic carnivores is a microsatellite analysis of hair central issue for studying animals samples to identify individual bears Studying large carnivores like that are by nature difficult to in a mark-recapture study spanning a bears has always posed special observe, and consequently require very large study area (31,410 km2) in challenges to biologists, requiring capture and handling to address northwestern Montana. special techniques to deal with wide- particular questions related to their Finally, Kim Sager gave an excel- ranging, secretive animals that occur behavior and population ecology. lent award-winning presentation at low densities and often occupy Nigel Caulkett discussed the effects (page 10) on the use of GPS collars to habitats inaccessible or inhospitable of capture and handling on the study American black bears in to humans. Field methodologies to health and movement of grizzly Olympic National Park, Washington, study bears more effectively and less bears captured with leg-hold snares USA. Her study was designed to test intrusively have continued to in Alberta, Canada. He pointed out variability in performance of GPS develop and expand. the potential for serious short-term radio collars placed in different Robert Marquez started the session effects, such as significant muscle environments; Kim found that data by discussing the successful use of damage, and long-term effects of recovered from test collars was biased non-intrusive methods—monitoring poor body condition in bears that toward open habitats with little bear sign on game trails, remote had been captured multiple times canopy cover or topographic obstruc- cameras and hair traps—to survey over several years. Although opin- tion and developed weighting factors areas for Andean bear presence or ions differ widely as to what is to reduce biases in home-range and monitoring a bear population over justifiable in the treatment of resource-use estimates. time. Naturally occurring game trails animals in research, studies such as Clearly, the hurdles of gathering around the Sur Pax mountain of these will certainly motivate the data on ursids will remain with us, Ecuador provided a wealth of development of safer, more humane despite the promising leaps in field information on Andean bear habitat approaches for studying bears. and laboratory methodologies use, feeding ecology, and population Katherine Kendall discussed the developed over the past decades. genetics. planning and execution of an The information presented during ambitious project to assess grizzly this session indicates that we should bear population size in northwestern carefully examine and test those techniques. Although new technolo- gies have helped us address previously intractable questions, we still only gather a snapshot or glimpse of the lives of these mysterious, elusive, and fascinating creatures.

International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 15 Opinion Reader Response: Should IBA Endorse Delisting Yellowstone Grizzly the Yellowstone Grizzly? Delisting Proposal

Karen Noyce Stephen F. Stringham example, even if grizzlies have IBA Vice President for Americas Bear Communication saturated most habitat generally Minnesota Department and Coexistence Research Program acceptable to the public, minimizing of Natural Resources Email risk of endangerment (inviability) 1201 East Highway 2 [email protected] also requires that: (a) enough habitat Grand Rapids, MN 55744, USA & be protected in perpetuity to sustain Phone (218) 327-4432 Charles R Neal viability, and that (b) other laws and Fax (218) 327-4181 U.S. Dept. of Interior (retired) regulations be in place to keep Email [email protected] Email [email protected] human impacts so low that viability & won’t be jeopardized over the It’s good to see that IBA members Mike Smith foreseeable future, even after read their newsletters! The opinion Sierra Club delisting. Those criteria have not yet piece urging IBA to support removal Wildlife and Endangered been met. of Yellowstone grizzlies from the U.S. Species Committee Scientific Threatened Species List (Miller et al., Email [email protected] As conservation scientists, our IBN, August 2005) drew a number of & primary concern should be whether letters expressing different points of David J. Zaber delisting would markedly increase view. Following are several opinion University of Wisconsin Arboretum risk of severe shrinkage and loss of pieces that differ in perspective from Email [email protected] viability over the foreseeable future. that of Miller et al., as well as a list of If so, recovery has not been achieved scientific papers and management We believe that the IBA should according to interpretation of the ESA documents which detail this issue. address status of the Yellowstone by the National Research Council of The federal proposal to remove grizzly only in terms of science, not the National Academy of Sciences Yellowstone grizzlies from the political or socio-economic issues. (1995). Threatened Species List has not yet Furthermore, any precedent set by Simulation modeling by Harris et been formally announced. Originally IBA’s involvement in the al. (2005) suggests that the popula- expected in August, it is now unclear Yellowstone issue should employ the tion could continue to grow or to when the announcement will be “precautionary principle” and stabilize over the foreseeable future, if made. This provides ample opportu- should serve IBA in helping reduce vital rates over the past decade nity for discussion in the coming risk to bear populations elsewhere in persist. But they do not address weeks regarding the request for IBA the world. consequences if vital rates drop to the involvement. On page 5 in this levels of the previous two decades or newsletter you will find a newly Recovery Criteria further, as impacts accumulate from articulated set of guidelines and Bureaucratic habitat degradation (e.g. logging and procedures for IBA Council when Assuming that Miller et al. are roading) that continues even while considering whether to take posi- correct in arguing that all recovery the grizzly is listed. Moreover, all tions on issues of bear conservation. targets have been met, that might be primary sources of dietary lipid and We encourage you to look these over, sufficient bureaucratic and political protein—whitebark pine nuts, army read through the opinions offered justification for delisting (see August cutworm moths, cutthroat trout, and below, and submit your own com- 2005 newsletter). But is it sufficient ungulate carrion—can be expected to ments and viewpoints to Council. legal or scientific justification? decline substantially, perhaps cata- We hope that you find this ex- Legal strophically. Harris et al. also ignore change of ideas in the newsletter A federal judge ruled in 1995 that potential acceleration of habitat instructive and we encourage the bureaucratic targets do not degradation and human-caused members to become informed on correspond to the Endangered mortality after delisting. this issue and provide their profes- Species Act (ESA) recovery criteria Viability analyses by Boyce et al. sional opinions to the policy [e.g., minimizing risk of endanger- (2001) have similar limitations. These makers once the de-listing proposal ment], nor do they explicitly address estimate over 99% probability of is formally announced. five sets of factors listed in the ESA subpopulation persistence (≥1 as the basis for calculating risk. For surviving bear) after 100 years. A test

16 International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 Opinion

of model reliability is how well it Park is in National retrospectively “predicts” what is Forests. Some already known to have occurred. Forest Plans From available information, it include reasonable appears that some or all of Boyce’s provisions for models would also predict >98% protecting grizzly persistence for most subpopulations habitat after that existed in the early 1800s; in delisting. When fact, nearly all are extinct. Models they were written, that cannot account for past extinc- the plans were tions cannot be trusted to preclude legally binding and future ones. failure to implement In any event, from both legal and could trigger litigation biological perspectives, the critical by watchdog groups issue is not extinction risk, but (essential in the past for endangerment risk—likelihood of no compelling enforcement of ESA longer having a viable subpopula- conservation measures). Recently, tion. If the subpopulation is barely however, litigation rights regarding information should be made avail- viable now, how long until it be- Forest Plans were terminated by the able to all qualified experts who wish comes inviable due to habitat Bush Administration. to participate in risk assessment, degradation, increasing impacts on ESA provisions mandate that including individuals skeptical of bears, and genetic impoverishment? actions with potentially serious recovery claims or critical of previous Genetic diversity in the Greater impact to grizzlies or habitat are analyses, so as to assure that all Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) is carefully considered before permit- reasonable approaches and interpre- declining rapidly. Analyses indicate ting. Delisting eliminates all such tations are considered. Recognizing that long-term viability requires gene mandatory checks. that some potential participants are flow among one-to-several-thousand employed or funded by powerful bears. Delisting plans include IBA Role institutions with vested interests, occasional importation of bears from Accordingly, we believe it would participants should be allowed to other populations to minimize be appropriate for IBA to take the contribute anonymously. inbreeding depression. We question position that: In conclusion: IBA’s primary role the effectiveness of this. A better Because IBA’s mandate is to should be fostering reliable assess- alternative is allowing grizzly bears promote bear conservation, IBA ment of long-term viability under a to expand into all available habitat cannot endorse de-listing until long- variety of realistic scenarios of within the GYE, and into zones (e.g., term viability is assured. This human impact and enforceable the Salmon-Selway-Bitterroot) that requires: (a) achieving optimal management strategies. would link with more northerly population size, (b) assuring long- This summary is highly con- subpopulations. term protection for necessary habitat densed, thus over-simplified. For throughout the ecosystem, and (c) further details, contact the individual Management Plans statutory guarantees that conserva- contributors. Are Guidelines, tion plans will be enforceable by Not Binding Contracts litigation. Those assurances are Literature Cited It is doubtful whether any statu- tacitly required by the ESA and are Boyce et al. (2001). IBA Monograph 4. tory protection except the ESA can essential to minimizing risk of Harris et al. (2005) Wildlife sufficiently limit human impacts to inviability. Monographs 161. the grizzly and its habitat. State It would be premature for IBA to NRC. 1995. Science & the Endan- plans are of little help because little make other recommendations until gered Species Act. National Research occupied grizzly habitat is under thorough and objective assessment Council of the National Academy of state jurisdiction. Most occupied of endangerment risk is completed. Science. U.S. Government Printing habitat outside Yellowstone National All appropriate data and ancillary Office.

International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 17 Opinion Yellowstone Grizzly Delisting Issue Refrain From Not Appropriate for IBA Yellowstone Position

Lance Craighead The overarching question is the Tanya Rosen Craighead Environmental political climate in which this Attorney Research Institute proposal is being made. In my Email [email protected] 201 S. Wallace Ave. opinion, this puts it beyond the Bozeman, MT 59714, USA mandate of the IBA. Delisting the I am writing to urge that the IBA Phone (406) 585-8705 grizzly under the Bush Administra- refrain from taking a position on the Email [email protected] tion is the worst possible decision. decision to remove the Yellowstone www.craigheadresearch.org Nationwide recovery goals include grizzly bear from the list of species “viable” populations in all recovery protected under the United States These comments reflect my areas, yet this administration blocked Endangered Species Act. abbreviated thoughts on the pro- reintroduction of grizzlies into the A core mandate of the IBA is to posal for the IBA to endorse the Selway-Bitterroot area, effectively involve itself in issues of natural resource delisting of the grizzly bear in the preventing long-term recovery. There policy relating to bear management. The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is no reason to believe that delisting debate over delisting the Yellowstone (GYE). I feel that this is not an bears in the GYE will improve grizzly of course implicates such issues. appropriate issue for the IBA, but is chances to recover them in the Curiously, however, this particular issue more appropriate for individual Selway-Bitterroot. Instead, I believe is too narrow in some respects and too members to address, primarily the most likely scenario is that sweeping in others to be a fitting subject because of its highly political nature. extractive industry activities will for a formal IBA pronouncement. The question of process seems clear surge in all habitat that was previ- It is too narrow because it does not to me: recovery goals have been met. ously off-limits due to the ESA, consider the key natural resource policy The larger question is whether those effectively shrinking the size of the issue: then what? Through what means goals are adequate. I feel they meet habitat island in which the bears would the population be monitored? goals for short-term population now survive. How will habitat issues be resolved? stability, but there are no habitat Current management has worked What challenges does climate change standards to ensure that current well and the population in the GYE pose to food sources? How will those be conditions are sustainable. Goals fall has increased. To ensure that favor- evaluated? Delisting, in short, is not a far short of long-term viability: the able conditions continue, we should natural resource policy. It is simply a genetic effective size of the current wait for a less hostile political decision to depart from a previous policy. population is about one-fourth of climate. Management plans devel- The IBA should be more concerned with that needed to maintain genetic oped by Montana, Idaho, and what lies ahead. variability. Adding a new animal Wyoming may be sufficient to It is too sweeping because delisting every ten years is unlikely to provide maintain grizzly bear numbers, but under existing American law requires the the necessary gene flow considering the population can decline markedly application of the so-called “discrete the low success of transplants into before such changes are detected and population segment” principle in a novel habitat that is already occupied, habitat requirements are not suffi- setting, with potentially widespread much less filled to carrying capacity. ciently addressed. Moreover, I implications. The legal and legislative Also, genetic variability provides understand that state management issues that lurk in the delisting debate, options for adaptation and it is fine- plans are not legally binding. and their implications for other species, tuned by natural selection. A bear Although many state biologists and are well beyond the ken of the IBA and it that can survive in the current managers will do their best to would be anomalous for the organiza- environment, disperse to new maintain grizzly populations, they tion to take a position on such matters. habitat, and breed successfully, likely will not ultimately make the deci- That said, I do think it would be has genes of greater survival value sions regarding grizzly bear habitat. productive to have a full and frank than an animal that is attracted to a exchange of views within the IBA on trap and transplanted. the status of Yellowstone grizzlies. This would be perfectly consistent with the IBA’s role to encourage communication and increase public awareness on sensitive issues.

18 International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 Opinion Argument Against Yellowstone Grizzly Delisting

Louisa Willcox vision. Statements made by the IBA be achieved with cooperative and Natural Resources Defense Council in support of delisting would com- collaborative efforts of stakeholders. Email [email protected] promise efforts by conservationists These efforts are happening now and scientists, including some IBA under the auspices of the ESA in a Has recovery under the Endan- members, who are seeking this more variety of settings and among diverse gered Species Act (ESA) been robust definition of recovery. constituencies with positive results. achieved? This work is successful precisely Delisting proponents argue that What are the future trends? because of the constraints imposed current recovery standards have been Delisting documents call for by the ESA, which force people— met. But the current recovery criteria maintaining habitat conditions many of whom would be otherwise do not comply with the ESA, as the inside the recovery zone as they were hostile—to the table. population measures were rejected in 1998. The underlying assumption Delisting would not—as propo- by a 1995 court order as biased and is that the future will look like the nents argue—make such collabora- unreliable. The underlying problems past. That’s one model—but only tive efforts easier. It would do the have yet to be fixed. one and not the most compelling. opposite by removing the incentives Further, the recovery criteria were There has been no critical appraisal for inherently resistant parties to established without evaluating long- of other projections of the future, compromise and coordinate. term viability needs. These criteria and an evaluation of which are most are mostly a function of historical defensible. Will the states be competent and physical constraints, as well as A few facts: 1) the human popula- managers of grizzly bears? political interpretations of what was tion in the region is growing rapidly; Many of the state biologists in possible 20 years ago. They were and, 2) threats are mounting to Idaho, Montana and Wyoming are established without reference to whitebark pine, the engine driving talented and dedicated to the future habitat-based viability analysis, and the health of Yellowstone’s popula- of the grizzly, but they are not in no such analysis has since been done tion. While delisting proponents charge. And the people at the top of to link recovery criteria to habitat write off these projections as “specu- the political ladder are, with the conditions. Thus, there is no way to lative,” they are considerably more exception of Montana, extremely know if meeting these criteria will defensible than the notion that the hostile to bears, an attitude that is assure long-term viability. ecosystem will stay as it was in 1998. reflected in the state plans. Exacer- Delisting proponents also support bating this problem is antipathy to a very restrictive interpretation of Will delisting save the ESA and bears at the county level. Four the ESA that emphasizes protection change people’s view of bear Wyoming counties, poised to assume for species only “in the emergency conservation? more authority over grizzlies after room”—but not for those needing The proponents of delisting delisting, have passed laws prohibit- less urgent but essential care to produced no evidence to support ing bears within their borders. survive. Nothing in the ESA inher- their argument that people will We all know that if political ently supports such a narrow interchange their views about bears as a commitment to conservation is pretation, which is at its core, biased result of actions such as removing lacking, it does not matter what’s in toward development interests at the ESA protections. Such a view is not a plan. And the same holds true for expense of the interests of the supported by the social sciences, and relisting—no matter what is on paper broader public, including conserva- runs counter to what we know about about assurances for relisting, hostile tionists. humans and politics. There is even politicians such as Wyoming Sena- Many experts argue that long-term less evidence to suggest that politi- tors Mike Enzi and Craig Thomas recovery requires large connected cians hostile to the ESA will convert will as vigorously oppose relisting in populations of several thousand no matter how many species are the future as they are promoting individuals. This interpretation is delisted, since their opinions about delisting now. consistent with the ESA. Several the ESA are based on more funda- studies show that such a vision is mentalist/conservative world views. achievable biologically, and many What can be said is that public are working to implement that support for grizzly conservation can

International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 19 Opinion Argument Against Yellowstone Grizzly References Yellowstone Grizzly Delisting, cont’d.

Is an isolated population of several Selected references provided by Available at: http://nrmsc.usgs.gov/ hundred individuals large enough Sterling Miller products/IGBST/2004report.pdf to ensure persistence in the long- National Wildlife Federation State of Idaho. 2002. Yellowstone term? Email [email protected] Grizzly Bear Management Plan to To answer this question, analyses accompany MCR 62. March. Avail- such as PVA (population viability See the Miller et al. view of the able at: http://mountain- analysis) must consider habitat issues Yellowstone grizzly delisting issue in prairie.fws.gov/species/mammals/ and future trends—a point empha- the August 2005 newsletter. grizzly/yellowstone.htm sized by Mark Boyce. But this has not U.S. Forest Service. 2004. Forest been done. What we do know, Interagency Conservation Strategy Plan Amendments for Grizzly Bear however, is that the landscape is Team. 2003. Final Conservation Conservation for the Greater becoming increasingly more deadly Strategy for the Grizzly Bear in the Yellowstone Area National Forests, as a result of human population Yellowstone Ecosystem. Available at: Draft Environmental Impact State- growth, and that habitat productiv- http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/wildlife/igbc/ ment, USDA Forest Service. Available ity will continue to decline with the ConservationStrategy/final_cs.pdf at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/wildlife/ loss of whitebark pine. A population Keating, K.A., C.C. Schwartz, M.A. igbcSubcommittee/yes/YEamend/ of a few hundred animals, isolated Haroldson, and D. Moody. 2002. gb_internet.htm from other populations, in a habitat Estimating numbers of females with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. island increasingly lethal and less cubs-of-the-year in the Yellowstone 1993. Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan. productive, is not likely to be viable Ecosystem. Ursus 13:161-174. Missoula, MT. Available at: http:// in the long-term by any reasonable Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks. ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery-plans/ standards. 2002. Grizzly Bear Management Plan 1993/930910.pdf What is needed are steps to buffer for Southwestern Montana 2002- U.S. Forest Service. 2005. Grizzly these known impacts; this can be 2012 Final Programmatic Environ- Bear (Ursus actos) biological assess- accomplished by expanding the area mental Impact Statement. Available ment for the Forest Plan Amend- where bears can be and by maintain- at: http://mountain-prairie.fws.gov/ ments for Grizzly Bear Conservation ing a population of several thousand species/mammals/grizzly/ for the Greater Yellowstone Area individuals from Yellowstone to yellowstone.htm National Forests: Beaverhead- Canada. Only through such an Schwartz, C.C., M.A. Haroldson, Deerlodge National Forest, Bridger- approach can we provide meaningful K. Gunther, and D. Moody. 2002. Teton National Forest, Custer Na- assurances of long-term persistence— Distribution of grizzly bears in the tional Forest, Gallatin National assurances encompassed by the ESA. Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, Forest, and Shoshone National 1990-2000. Ursus Forest. June, 2005. Available (in two 13:203-212. parts also PDFs of associated color Schwartz, C.C., figures) at: http:// M.A. Haroldson, www.huntingandfishingjournal.org/ and K. West archives/issues/GB-ForestPlan-06-05- (eds.). 2005. Pages01-71.pdf Yellowstone http:// Grizzly www.huntingandfishingjournal.org/ Bear archives/issues/GB-ForestPlan-06-05- investiga- Pages72-142.pdf tions Wyoming Game and Fish Depart- 2004. ment. 2002. Wyoming grizzly bear Annual management plan. February (pre- Report of pared by Moody et al.). Available at: the Inter- http://mountain-prairie.fws.gov/ agency species/mammals/grizzly/ Grizzly Bear yellowstone.htm Study Team.

20 International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 Bear Specialist Group European Brown Bear Expert Team

Co-chairs: Djuro Huber Email [email protected] & Jon Swenson Email jon.swenson.umb.no

The European Brown Bear Expert Team (EBBET) is a section of the Bear Specialist Group belonging to the Species Survival Commission of the IUCN. This complex structure is beginning to function for the benefit of most bear species worldwide. Even though brown bears in Europe is a seemingly narrow scope, the issue of brown bears in Europe is not a simple one. Here we have “populations” of only a few animals in the Pyrenees (France, Spain, Andorra), Trento and Abruzzo (Italy), Cantabrian Mountains (Spain) and Jon Swenson and Djuro Huber receive President’s Award from Austria. In addition there are large IBA president Harry Reynolds at the 16th IBA conference in Italy (page 3). populations of thousands of bears (European Russia, Carpathian us met in Riva del Garda, Italy, at the present the results. So far 12 ET Mountains, Scandinavia, Dinaria 16th International Conference on members from 12 countries replied Mountians from Austria to Greece). Bear Research and Management. The and the first glance tells us that The management also ranges from short time available allowed us only situations are much too specific to strict protection and over a million to introduce ourselves and to discuss draw any conclusions at this stage. euros invested per bear in conserva- the structure and the general targets However, we can conclude that tion measures, to commercial of our work. The state of knowledge, such a team is probably the best hunting and even no management at as well as the state of bear popula- available tool to better coordinate all. We defined Europe to include all tions, is extremely variable within bear conservation and management the countries west of the Ural the region. In cooperation with the in all of Europe and hopefully to Mountains, including Turkey and the Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe start common projects. If the work of countries in the Caucasus (LCIE) we will first work on a bear the group will generate some funds Mountians. The total number of distribution map. We will also work for local projects or political support countries is greater than in any other with the LCIE to help each country for conservation measures, it will be region with bears in the world. develop a comprehensive bear additionally useful. The ultimate Moreover this number grew consid- management plan. The much desired goal is to manage the bears in Europe erably recently and may continue to pan-European project would be the on the population level, and not on grow. Also the spectrum of languages genetic survey of all bear populations the country level. Of course, we want is great. English, which we use in our and subpopulations. The needs for all bear populations to live in stable communication, is the native specific projects are again very populations in the numbers that will language in only one country, and it heterogenic and depend on the local secure viability but will not create has not had bears since the 13th situations. To find out the local too much conflict with local resi- century! priorities, we launched a simple dents. Also, wherever possible it will The current membership of our questionnaire. It was sent out a week be good to see bears back where they Expert Team (ET) contains 61 names ago and the deadline for the newslet- once used to live. from 29 countries. Twenty-three of ter came too soon to collect and

International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 21 Bear Specialist Group Bear Specialist Group

At the Bear Specialist Group European Brown Bear Meeting at the 16th IBA conference Expert Team Co-chairs in Italy, it was decided that all expert Djuro Huber teams will henceforth have two co- Email [email protected] chairs. We are still in the process of & finalizing these seats. Jon Swenson Email [email protected] Coordinating Committee Co-chairs Bruce McLellan Giant Panda Expert Team Chair Email [email protected] Lu Zhi & Email [email protected]

© Catherine Norkin Dave Garshelis Email [email protected] Sloth Bear Expert Team Co-chairs IBA Representative N.P.S. Chauhan Harry Reynolds Email [email protected] Email [email protected] & K. Yoganand Andean Bear Expert Team Co-chairs Email [email protected] Eurasia Isaac Goldstein Email [email protected] Sun Bear Expert Team Co-chairs & Gabriella Fredriksson Swiss Brown Bear Ximena Velez-Liendo Email [email protected] Email [email protected] & Rob Steinmetz Piero Genovesi Asiatic Black Bear Email [email protected] INFS-National Wildlife Institute Expert Team Co-chairs Via Ca’ Fornacetta 9 Dave Garshelis Captive Bear I-40064 Ozzano Emilia BO, Italy Email [email protected] Expert Team Co-chairs Email [email protected] & Lydia Kolter Mei-hsiu Hwang Email [email protected] Videotapes and photos have Email [email protected] & confirmed that a brown bear has Jackson Zee entered Switzerland. South Asian Brown Bear Email [email protected] Genetic analysis conducted by Expert Team Co-chairs Marta De Barba in our laboratories S. Sathyakumar Trade in Bear Parts Expert Team has shown that the bear, born in Email [email protected] Christopher Servheen 2003, is the offspring of Jurka and & Email [email protected] Joze, two of the bears translocated to Ozgun Emre Can Italy from Slovenia. Email [email protected] Mexican Black Bear Coordinator The bear is roaming among Italy, Diana Doan-Crider Switzerland and Austria. It has North Asian Brown Bear Email [email protected] attacked several sheep and is causing Expert Team Co-chairs some alarm because it is quite John Paczkowski Polar Bear Specialist Group fearless. Email [email protected] Andrew Derocher We are now working on a com- & Email [email protected] mon strategy among the three Tsutomu Mano countries to capture and radiocollar Email [email protected] Committee Member the animal in order to improve our John Seidensticker ability to prevent damage, and Email [email protected] respond to possible risks to people.

22 International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 Eurasia Asian Bear Symposium and Workshop in Japan

Koji Yamazaki most densely human populated The workshop included three Ibaraki Nature Museum/ region in the world, Asia still sup- sessions with the following presenters: Japan Bear Network ports five species of bears, including 1. Co-existence of bears with 700 Osaki, Bando-city, Ibaraki the brown bear, the Asian black bear, humans in Russia 306-0622 Japan the Malayan sun bear, the sloth bear Alexander Kostin, Sakhalin Oblast Email [email protected] and the giant panda. Conservation Government, Russia (read by Larry & of bears in the 21st century in Asia Van Daele, Alaska). Toru Oi will depend on both sound ecologi- Tatiana Gordienko, Kamchatka Kansai Research Center, Forestry and cal information and the creative Government, Russia. Forest Products Research Institute resolution and prevention of con- Fedor Yakovlev, Sakha Govern- Momoyama, Fushimi, Kyoto flicts between bears and people. In ment, Russia. 612-0855 Japan this symposium, we discussed the 2. Co-existence of bears with Email [email protected] current status and conservation humans in the Far East & needs of brown bears and Asian black Ying Wang, Asiatic Black Bear Expert Tsutomu Mano bears, two species distributed widely Team, National Taiwan Normal Nature Conservation Department in the temperate zones of Asia. University, Taiwan. Hokkaido Institute of Presentations included: Han San-Hoon, Black Bear Expert Environmental Sciences Toshiki Aoi, Iwate University, Team, National Park Authority, Kita-19 Nishi-12 Kita-ku, Sapporo Japan, Present status and conservation South Korea. 060-0819 Japan priorities of Asian black and Ezo brown Toshihiro Hazumi, Wildlife Manage- Email [email protected] bears in Japan. ment Office, Japan. Hang Lee, Seoul National Univer- 3. Sun bear in Southeast Asia During July 31-August 5, 2005, the sity, South Korea, Prioritization of Gabriella Fredriksson, Sun Bear Ninth International Mammalogical conservation actions for Asian black Expert Team Co-chair, University Congress was held in Sapporo-city, bears in South Korea. of Amsterdam, Netherlands/ Hokkaido, Japan with more than Ying Wang, National Taiwan Indonesia. 1,000 participants. At the meeting, Normal University, Taiwan, Conserva- Siew Te Wong, Sun Bear Expert Team 53 symposiums were held on a tion status of Formosan black bears in Co-chair, University of Montana, variety of topics. Taiwan. Malaysia/USA. A symposium and a workshop Alexander Kostin, Sakhalin Oblast Following the sessions, there was about Asian bears were presented at Government, Russia (read by Larry time for discussion and an exchange the congress. The aim was to share Van Daele, Alaska), The brown bears of opinions on conservation priori- recent bear status in each Asian (Ursus arctos) of Sakhalin and the ties for Asian bears and plans for the country, to discuss the biggest issues Kuril Islands: Population monitoring 2006 17th IBA conference in Japan affecting bear populations, and to issues (pages 48-50). We also exchanged consider conservation priorities. Badamjav Lhagvasuren, Mongo- ideas about a report on the status lian Academy of Sciences, Mongolia, and conservation of bears in Asia Asian Bear Symposium Current status and conservation scheduled to be published for the The Japan Bear Network (JBN: priorities for brown bears in Mongolia. 17th IBA conference. http://www.japanbear.org/index- We would like to thank all the e.html) hosted the symposium: Asian Bear Workshop speakers and participants who made Conservation Priorities for Brown At the same conference, the JBN both events possible and successful! and Black Bears in East Asia. About and the Northern Forum (http:// The symposium and workshop were 80 participants from many countries www.northernforum.org/) organized good preliminary events for the attended the symposium. the Asian Bear Workshop about the upcoming conference in Japan. Recent economic growth in East co-existence of bears with humans. The symposium and workshop Asia has contributed to both conver- Fifty people from 10 countries were financially supported by the sion of bear habitats and increased attended, including IBA council Japan Fund for Global Environment harvest of bears, two major threats to president Harry Reynolds, and vice and the WWFJapan-Nikko Investors bear populations. Despite being the president for Eurasia Jon Swenson. Fund.

International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 23 Eurasia Bornean Sun Bear and Bearded Pig Research and Conservation Project

Siew Te Wong in 1999-2000. In the first week, we and have Plasmodium spp. parasites Danum Valley Field Center caught and radio-collared three adult in their blood. This is the first PO Box 60282 sun bears, one female and two males. documentation of wild sun bears 91112 Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia The female, Bear 101 was captured infected with malaria. This finding Email [email protected] on September 21st and weighed 28 has immense implications for human kg; and the two males, Bear 102 and wildlife health in these forests. A new field study on Malayan sun (cover photo) and Bear 103 were Further investigation on this bear (Helarctos malayanus) and both captured on September 25th zoonotic disease is in progress. bearded pig (Sus barbatus) began in and weighed 56 kg and 45 kg, This project has grown into not March 2005 at Ulu Segama Forest respectively. Bear 102 had several just pure research, but also incorpo- Reserve and Danum Valley Conserva- bite wounds and was captured at rates many conservation elements on tion Area, with a field station in INFAPRO nursery, a big camp within sun bears, bearded pigs, and tropical Danum Valley Field Center, Sabah, the study area with about 80 resi- rainforests. Many public talks on the Malaysian Borneo. The project dents. He is well known at the camp project and conservation of sun bear investigates the effects of selective where he frequently feeds on gar- and bearded pigs have been delivered logging on Malayan sun bears and bage. We released him about 8 km during the past few months, and bearded pigs by comparing ecological west of the camp, but he has re- more are planned. Two full-scale parameters of bears and pigs in turned to the vicinity although has Master’s degree studies are also logged and primary forests. These not visited the camp after three planned under the umbrella of this parameters include home ranges, weeks of close monitoring. Tracking project: one study will focus on the activity and movement patterns, and locating the radio-collared bears comparison of the ecology of wild population densities, habitat selec- is a daily routine. Trapping is con- and reintroduced bears, and the tion, physical condition, food habits, tinuing for sun bears and bearded other will study the impacts of and food qualities. Research methods pigs until sufficient numbers of each bearded pigs on oil palm plantations. include radio-tracking, camera species are captured and radio- We will launch the official website of trapping, scat analysis, and collecting collared. the project at the end of the year, basic information on fruit and There are already some interesting with general information, interesting invertebrate production in both findings: First, all of the bears findings and regular project updates, forest types for 24 months. During captured were in great physical and conservation facts about sun the first phase of the project (March- condition, a contrast to the skinny, bears and bearded pigs, for the public August 2005), three focal areas in emaciated bears we caught in 1999- and scientific communities. primary and logged forests have been 2000. Their unusually heavy weights, The project also seeks hard- identified, and 2-km transect lines especially the two males, are prob- working volunteers who are willing have been established in each. Since ably related to the high fruiting to work long-hours in a harsh March 2005 we have collected fruit activity this year. Unlike other tropical rainforest environment. The production information using fruit tropical forest ecosystems, the project not only will provide an traps, fruit-on-trail, and monthly rainforests of Borneo, Sumatra, and opportunity for volunteers to help monitoring of tree phenology. We Peninsula Malaysia display a supra- on field data collection, but also monitor invertebrate abundance by annual fruiting cycle, where almost provide a rare opportunity for setting nightly pitfall traps and all members of the tree family volunteers to learn about techniques recording the abundance of two Dipterocarpaceae and up to 88% of to study tropical bears and other species of beetle. We collect informa- the canopy trees fruit almost simulta- related conservation skills. Please feel tion on animal signs, such as feeding neously after many years of low free to contact us if you are inter- sites, bear claw marks on trees, trees fruiting activity. This observation fits ested in volunteering or have with pig rubbing signs, mud wallows, an earlier hypothesis that sun bears questions regarding our project. We and microhabitat features to investi- may store fat during the fruiting year hope this project will encourage gate habitat preference. Animal and deplete this energy reserve in more studies and conservation trapping started on September 17. low fruiting years. The second projects on these two little-known The trapping operation has been interesting discovery was that all species that play important roles in very successful compared with efforts three bears are infected with malaria the rainforest ecosystem of Borneo.

24 International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 gp

Eurasia Biogeographic Ecology of the Malayan Sun Bear

Dave M. Augeri study for population density and all bear signs observed in undis- Department of Conservation Biology abundance estimates and to test sign turbed forest. As the level, intensity, Denver Zoological Foundation survey efficacy. I tested site occu- and extent of disturbance increased, Denver, CO 80205, USA pancy probabilities and the frequen- significantly less bear activity was Phone 303-376-4944 cies, densities, encounter rates, and observed. A total of 6.8% of signs Email [email protected] detection probabilities of distinct sun were observed near post-disturbed bear sign and photographic events as areas (0-30 years old) and 86% of Both natural and anthropogenic relative indices of habitat use. these were >500 m and 74% were factors can influence bear ecology We conducted a total of 335 km of >1,000 m from any form of distur- and habitat use. The character, size, transects, 512 km2 of camera trap- bance. Only 2.3% of all signs were distribution, and availability of ping, and 64.2 ha of fruit and tree observed within 50 m of disturbed suitable habitat will either facilitate stand surveys across the 16 study areas <1 year old. No photographs or or limit a bear’s use of critical sites as well as an additional ca. genetic samples were recorded in resources, ultimately affecting its 1,200 km of pre- and post-transect secondary forests of any age, or in persistence and evolutionary surveying. We recorded 4,886 sun conventionally logged forests, potential. This study compared bear sign events via sign census agricultural areas, roads, edge natural patterns of Malayan sun transects and 10,804 photographs habitats, or other disturbed areas. bear (Helarctos [Ursus] malayanus) were taken over 15,897 trap nights, Disturbance also created a form of habitat selection, ecology and 107 of which were distinct sun bear habitat compression that may be landscape use with the effects of photos. We encountered only one inducing density-dependent spatial disturbance. We conducted two bear (adult male) during 13,902 patterning among bears and subse- phases of field work during 2000– transect survey hours. The bear quently aggregating bear activity in 2004 at 16 study sites grouped observed us calmly at a distance of those sites. Human activities also had among three focal areas in the 10 m for about 5 seconds and walked significant effects on bear habitat use Leuser Ecosystem (ca. 24,000 km2) away slowly at a 90 degree angle and a form of virtual fragmentation in northern Sumatra and three focal from our position. (i.e. avoidance of areas without areas in the Kayan Mentarang/ The direct and interactive effects habitat disturbance or hunting) may Bulungan ecosystems (ca. 18,226 of habitat disturbance on sun bear be occurring. Overall, results showed km2) in East Kalimantan, Borneo. A ecology and landscape use were that sun bears in these sites were representative sample of 50 habitat consistently the most significant choosing security over food, which types (e.g., swamp, montane, heath, influences across all other variables has implications for their persistence. and lowland forest types, etc.) and and tests, regardless of habitat type, In these sites the sun bear is biogeographic conditions, 44 ecosystem, biogeographic condition, primarily an interior forest-depen- disturbance types, and 60 human habitat productivity, site, area, or dent species with a strong affinity for activity types were surveyed. region. The type, intensity, age, and mature, diverse, and heterogeneously Habitat types and biogeographic geographic extent of disturbances structured primary forests. Tests of conditions in undisturbed primary accounted for the significant major- biogeographic influences in undis- forests similar to those examined in ity of variance in sun bear sign and turbed forests revealed that mature disturbed areas within the same photo capture events. The most tree stand characteristics were ecosystems were used as control significant effect was the interaction prominent variables in micro-site treatments. between the age of, and distance to, and habitat-type selection by sun Phase I consisted of bear sign intensive habitat disturbance (i.e. bears. Tree densities were low to censuses using distance- and fixed- forest clearing) relative to where and moderate, while tree species diver- width transect sampling, primary when bears were active. Logging, sity, maturity, girth (dbh), height, sun bear forage productivity and agriculture, and persistent human number of emergents, and canopy diversity surveys, tree stand and activity by trails, hunting, non- cover were all significantly higher in micro-habitat surveys, and genetic timber forest product harvesting, and those stands with significantly more sampling of scat and hair. Phase II so forth, were the most statistically- bear activity and indicated a strong entailed a remote camera capture- significant factors associated with preference for older and more recapture and presence-absence habitat use by bears, with 92.7% of complex primary forest character.

International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 25 Eurasia Biogeographic Ecology of the Malayan Sun Bear, cont’d.

These mature stand traits, especially more extensive habitat loss, fragmen- validate and examine trends through a predominance of mature fruiting tation, and hunting. Although multi-year mark-recapture studies in trees, high tree species diversity, and hunting occurs in Kayan Mentarang representative habitat types and escape cover were the most statisti- National Park, where we found the conditions across the bear’s range. cally significant effects on bear highest densities and abundance, Hunting is affecting sun bear habitat use in 97% of undisturbed habitat disturbance is minimal. All populations in some areas, but in sites and were indicators of interior abundances accounted for the Indonesia the most immediate forest affinity for bears. proportion of consistently occupied threats to sun bear persistence are Consistently-occupied sun bear habitat, along with gaps between presently forest loss and disturbance. habitat in these sites is mainly in ranges, and are consistent with Sun bear survival depends on: remote and less accessible primary published densities for the sun bear’s (a) our ability to predict how forests at elevations of 400–1,000 closest phylogenetic relatives. biogeographic conditions, changing masl, most likely due to intense Results indicate that the IUCN Red landscape structures, environmental disturbance and human use in List (v. 3.1) for H. Malayanus can be stochasticity, and anthropogenic highly productive lowland habitats updated from Data Deficient (DD) to disturbances affect bear movement <500 masl. Such ranges are probably Vulnerable (VU C2ai) in Indonesia. and foraging patterns across time limited to specific areas within Considering the low abundances in and in increasingly patchy land- undisturbed primary forest and older Indonesia, which likely stewards the scapes; secondary forest (>25–30 years old) largest populations and protected (b) improving long-term bear and shift on a seasonal and annual areas in the sun bear’s range, the access to critical resources and basis. Due to loss of suitable habitat species is probably Endangered (EN, habitat; and and avoidance of highly disturbed based on criteria B1bi-v, C2ai and D) (c) implementing species and areas, young secondary forests, and or Critically Endangered (CR, based habitat-specific protective mecha- high-human use areas, sun bear on criteria B1a and B1bi-v) in regions nisms at landscape scales. ranges are patchy and fragmented where they are more isolated. These across the overall landscape and data also support the CITES Appen- Acknowledgements some smaller bears are likely com- dix 1 listing that H. malayanus This research would not have been pelled to forage occasionally in probably is in danger of extinction possible without the hard work and agricultural areas. and is or may be affected by interna- dedication of my Indonesian field Presence-absence modelling tional trade. The bear’s affinity for assistants. In particular, I am in- (McKenzie et al. 2002, 2003) of primary forest and the increasing debted and grateful to Tarmizi, camera-trapping data for all 16 study rate of forest loss suggest scientifi- Giman, Zul, Ijar, and Rusman in sites on Borneo and Sumatra were cally-based conservation measures Sumatra and to Oko Jangin, Dan valid and sufficient to estimate should be implemented without Udau, Lis Mayaidi, and Ahmad in population sizes in these sites. The delay. A time and space mosaic can Kalimantan. The IBA provided partial largest population estimate was 582- help planners create ecologically- funding for the preliminary field 873 bears in Kayan Mentarang sound reserve networks in these work as well as for genetic sample National Park (1.4 million ha) in East fragmented landscapes. analyses. Other supporting organiza- Kalimantan at a density of 0.042 This was the first study of its kind tions included The National Geo- bears/km2, while in the adjacent to generate empirically-based density graphic Society, the Denver Zoologi- unprotected lowland Bulungan and abundance estimates of sun cal Foundation, the Harriman Forest (4,226 ha) densities were lower bears, and this is the first study of Foundation, the Leuser Management (0.025 bears/km2) with an estimated bears using presence-absence model- Programme, the Great Bear Founda- population of 104-156 bears. In ling, such as that proposed by tion, WWF Indonesia, CIFOR, WCS, Sumatra’s Gunung Leuser National MacKenzie et al. (2002, 2003), to Institute of the Rockies, University of Park (800,000 ha) the population produce these estimates. Thus, these Cambridge, and Colorado State estimate was 186-280 bears at a estimates provide an initial baseline, University. density of 0.023 bears/km2. Lower for which further research should densities in Sumatra and the Bulungan region are likely due to

26 International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 Americas Dialogue Helps Andean Bear Conservation

Luz Eliana Bossa Quintero The species is also killed due to landscape conservation and manage- Email [email protected] false beliefs associated with the ment; management policies and & medicinal and aphrodisiac properties instruments; conservation and Julio Mario Fernandez of its organs. Bears are also sold as management of individuals and Email [email protected] pets or to circuses. populations ex situ; research and WWF Colombia Several months ago, hunters from monitoring; education and commu- the village of Las Mercedes (munici- nication. Early one morning, the crunch of pality of Sardinata, department of Some months ago, WWF Colom- leaves and a movement among the Norte de Santander) found a female bia developed a pilot communica- bushes unsettled Lelio Niño as he bear with three cubs. The mother tions strategy for the departments of checked on his sheep. Unnerved, and one cub were killed; a female Santander and Norte de Santander to Lelio decided to collect the flock, cub was caught by the hunters while establish links with local communi- when he noticed one animal was the third escaped alone into the ties and environmental authorities to missing. Down the mountainside forest. create opportunities for dialogue and were the remains of the sheep, and Fortunately, Isidro Lisarazo, an consensus for conservation of the footprints of an Andean bear leading employee of the Municipal Office for Andean bear. The initiative is away from the carcass. Agricultural Assistance (UMATA) supported by Universidad Pontificia Lelio has 19 sheep which pasture rescued the female cub from her de Bucaramanga and the National on a small piece of rented land captors. Weighing only 3.5 kg, Parks Unit. cooled by the nearby mountains of Juanita (as she was named) was taken The project implements educa- the Guanentá Alto Río Fonce Na- to a wildlife recovery unit of the tion, information and communica- tional Park in the department of regional environmental authority tion initiatives and workshops with Santander, Colombia. “We are poor where she is being held. It is hoped rural communities in Andean bear people, we just have a few animals that she will begin a rehabilitation areas. Initiatives are also directed at and this is how we take care of our process allowing her to return to the employees of municipal institutions, families, but we don’t want to kill wild. However, the cub has already such as UMATA and regional envi- the bear, we want to protect it.” This spent much time with humans and is ronmental authorities with jurisdic- portrays Lelio’s attitude and that of getting used to them. As the months tion in the two regions. other families living in the village of go by, the probability of Juanita’s “The communications initiative Patios Bajos. In the last few months rehabilitation being successful represents an opportunity to tran- there have been two other Andean decreases and the possibility in- scend planning exercises and arrive bear attacks against livestock in the creases that she will be placed in a at specific and strategic actions,” area. zoo, as have other Andean bears. stated Juan Carlos Troncoso, from Fortunately in this case, the the National Parks Unit. “Working residents decided to give the bear A step forward through education towards the Andean bear’s welfare, another chance and not hunt it. and communication. not only in protected areas, means However, there is not always a WWF Colombia published the conserving water sources and happy ending for the bear in these Northern Andes Ecoregional Strategy for recovering paramo and forest areas. situations. the Conservation of the Spectacled Bear People should be aware of these According to the IUCN’s 1999 in 2003. The strategy was designed as actions.” Spectacled Bear Conservation Action part of WWF Colombia’s Northern Daniel Rodriguez, a biologist with Plan by Colombian bear researchers Andes Ecoregional Programme, in Fundación Wii, created the workshop Orejuela and Jorgensen, “the princi- collaboration with the Wildlife content for bear biology, manage- pal threats to the survival of bears in Conservation Society, Fundación ment and conservation importance. this country are related to destruc- Wii, EcoCiencia and Red Tremarctos, The workshops also cover legal tion and transformation of habitat among others. The strategy employs protection for the threatened bear, and hunting as a result of damage a holistic and interdisciplinary vision and legal implications of harming a caused to maize crops and predation to maintain viable populations of bear. Communities in several regions of domestic animals, mainly cattle in Andean bears in the long term are unaware of the bear’s presence paramo areas.” through five key areas for action: and its legal status.

International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 27 Americas Dialogue Helps Andean Bear Conservation, cont’d

“In our country the Andean bear in the private reserve of El Diviso in The success of a strategy is is protected by law, given that it is a the department of Santander. measured in changes of attitudes or species on the verge of extinction, in Using the communications in actions. It is still too early to see the same way as the Andean condor, strategy, opportunities were created radical changes at this initial stage. manatee, sea turtle and the Orinoco with government institutions and This experience may provide the crocodile, among others. It cannot be NGOs in the two regions to imple- basis for a communications process exploited or sold. Violation of this ment joint efforts towards the reaching other areas of the Colom- law is a crime, punishable under the conservation of the Andean bear. bian Andes. penal code,” explained Daniel As a result of these meetings, it is Members of some local commu- Rodriguez. hoped that actions will be coordi- nities had to walk more than six The game “Wildlife Boxes” was nated among the different national, hours to attend the workshops, played during the workshops with regional and local institutions. which included women with the communities. It was designed to Progress has also been made at the children, as well as young people. convey the message of conserving international level with the Venezu- They will now return to their the Andean bear not as an isolated elan National Parks Authority villages with a positive vision of species, but in coexistence with other (INPARQUES) in its joint work with the Andean bear and its impor- important animal and plant species the National Parks Unit in Colombia tance in protecting their natural sharing the bear’s habitat. towards the definition of a bear resources. Environmental organiza- The educational material was conservation strategy for the Tamá tions should also contribute to created by Sonia Rodriguez, a biology Binational Park. Commitments have preserving this way of thinking by student at the Universidad Industrial also made by regional environmental means of their activities. de Santander. She was responsible for authorities such as CORPONOR to Communication made it possible the project’s environmental educa- include budgets and actions for local to bring the Andean bear to the tion activities and is currently bear conservation and management attention of communities and working on a community conserva- plans within their working areas. institutions. tion project with threatened species

Andean Bear-livestock Conflict: Applying the Landscape Species Conservation Model

Saskia Flores conducted. The study area was nity, the Ministry of Environment & Oyacachi, a small indigenous and EcoCiencia decided to conduct a Macarena Bustamante community inside Cayambe-Coca study on this conflict to look for & Ecological Reserve, a governmental possible management alternatives that Gioconda Remache protected area in the northern Andes could reduce the number of attacks & of Ecuador. Within the paramos and and the economic losses, and improve Isaac Goldstein cloud forests between 1,600 and people’s perceptions and attitudes. Email [email protected] 4,300 masl, the Andean bear feeds on The research objective was to & cattle and sheep. Between January understand the ecological and Jaime Camacho 2001 and October 2004, 41 predation geographical aspects that cause the Email [email protected] events occurred and 61 cattle were conflict in Oyacachi and analyze its EcoCiencia Wildlife lost in Oyacachi. Local livestock social and economic consequences. Conservation Society handlers started to develop negative The investigation gathered geo- Ecuador attitudes towards the Andean bear graphical, ecological, social and (their flagship species for conserva- economic information related to all For the first time in Ecuador an tion processes and ecotourism the depredation events that took integrated study on livestock depre- activities) and became worried about place between January 2001 and dation by Andean bear has been their economic losses. The commu- October 2004.

28 International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 Americas Andean Bear-livestock Conflict, cont’d.

The method used to integrate and fractionate the landscape by human that the meat of the 61 cattle killed analyze this information is the use and the biological need of the was a loss of US$31,516. The eco- conceptual model for landscape landscape species. The model of the nomic loss in milk production was species conservation developed by Andean bear presence probability US$42,534 and the loss of potential Eric Sanderson and collaborators in was combined with the grazing areas. calves reached US$3,747. These are 2002. Four of the five steps proposed This is the conservation landscape. the direct costs related to cattle loss. in this method were achieved: (1) the Finally, to determine the focal Only one indirect cost was evaluated, definition of the biological landscape landscape, a depredation probability the transfer of cattle from area to of the target species (the Andean model was developed based on the another which totaled US$829. bear), (2) the definition of the identification of areas where live- The combination of the cattle human landscape (the cattle land- stock depredation occurred. This landscape with the Andean bear scape), (3) the definition of the model permitted evaluation of the landscape created 12 new landscape conservation landscape through the contribution of every identified elements in which two variables of intersections of the first two land- landscape element to the focal habitat type (forest and paramo), scapes and (4) the identification of conservation landscape, recognition three variables of human use (no use, the focal landscape for conservation of threats and the interventions farming, hunting and timber har- actions. Within the human land- necessary to reduce them. vest) and three variables of Andean scape (step 2) two additional vari- Five habitat quality categories bear presence probability (high, ables were analyzed: social and were defined to evaluate the Andean medium, low) were combined. This economic aspects of the conflict. The bear probability presence (Andean is the conservation landscape, in fifth step is the reiteration of the bear landscape) in the study area, which 52.6% of the total available process once the conservation and two were used in the analysis (1) paramo area is used for open-range actions have been implemented. This 0

International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 29 Americas Andean Bear-Livestock Conflict, cont’d.

high bear presence probability have a viduals that cause massive attacks mented all together. We believe that medium or high (p>0.6) cattle near areas with human presence); (3) there is a profound need to begin depredation probability. Implementation of a compensation working with multidisciplinary Now the livestock handlers in mechanism (through insurance approaches in wildlife-human Oyacachi have valuable information schemes that compensate the loss of conflicts in order to address all the about the conflict so they can insured animals, and by generating aspects of the conflict (especially develop alternatives to manage the additional funds through people’s needs). Also, without the situation. These alternatives include ecotourism); and (4) Building local community members’ participation ecological/geographical variables, but capacities for managing the conflict these actions will not be successful. also include social and economic (communication activities to gener- People in Oyacachi have to accept components of the conflict. Some ate awareness in the population and responsibility for the problem even if management actions suggested in training efforts with key people). the process requires more time or the study include (1) Cattle land- Once these actions are imple- money. This is the only way to make scape management (defining grazing mented it will be possible to reiterate lasting changes and to capitalize on areas and “bear areas,” removing the process and evaluate the success local peoples’ capacities to manage cattle from areas with high predation or failure of the alternatives pro- their own territories and solve their probability, increasing surveillance posed to reduce the conflict. The own problems without depending frequency in grazing areas); (2) probability of success of this manage- upon external donors, NGOs or Andean bear population management proposal will be significantly governmental agencies. ment (removing problematic indi- higher if the actions are imple-

Reports of Andean Bears Salta Province Northwest Argentina (1999–2005). See article on next page.

• Bear sightings reported by settlers

* Bear tracks and feces reported by settlers Photograph of bear tracks, Santa Maria, Dept. of Oran

Bear sighting at Maiz Gordo, Dept. of Anta.

30 International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 Americas Evidence of Andean Bear in Northwest Argentina

Julio Fernando Del Moral 1995). Today many Andean bear The juco is considered dangerous School of Biology experts don’t believe the bear exists to humans because of the beliefs that Faculty of Natural Sciences in Argentina and the country has male bears have a sexual preference National University of Salta (4400) been removed from the distribution for human women, and female bears Salta, Argentina list of the species. But surely, the seek to enrapture people. There are Email [email protected] absence of precise data could be the no reports of predation on cattle by & result of lack of field studies. bears, but damage to corn (Zea mays) M.V. Andrés E. Bracho S. Eighteen recent sightings of the crops have been reported in areas of Graduated Students’ Program juco, ucumari, ucu or creole panda the department of Oran. Faculty of Veterinary Sciences (T. ornatus) have been reported by The new evidence of the juco in University of Zulia settlers in the Argentinean northwest. northwestern Argentina generates Venezuela In addition, tracks were photographed expectations of the possible occur- Email [email protected] on July 30, 2004 in the locality of rence of the species in the area. Santa Maria (Oran, Salta), which While most of the juco sightings Northwest Argentina is considered documents the bear’s presence (Del have been by made by settlers; the an important center of biodiversity, Moral, 2005). See map on page 30. photo of tracks confirms its presence speciation, endemism, and is a Recently, a sighting was made at in the Argentinean northwest. biological corridor for many verte- one of the most southern locations. brates and plants (Duellman, 1979; The report was considered reliable Literature Cited Fjeldsa and Krabbe, 1990; because the evidence was observed Brown, A. D. 1995. “Las selvas de Vuilleumier, 1993). It includes by the informant. The bear sighting Montaña del noroeste de Argentina: species of carnivores (Jayat et al., was communicated on May 10, 2005, problemas ambientales e importancia 1999), particularly in the ecosystem at the Maiz Gordo Mountains (Dept. de su conservación.” In: Investigación, of the Bolivian-Tucuman Forest or of Anta, Salta, 24°15’ S-64° 12’ W) Conservación y Desarrollo en Selvas Yungas (Cabrera, 1976; Brown and (Cuellar, com. per.). The geographical Subtropicales de Montaña (Brown, A. Grau, 1993); a region in Argentina coordinates were determined at the D. y H. R. Grau, Eds). Proyecto de with a high diversity of mammals Military Geographic Institute of Desarrollo Agroforestal/L.I.E.Y. including nine orders, 25 families, Argentina. As with other evidence, Tucumán, Argentina. Pp. 9-18 more than 90 genera, and 110 this sighting was in the Bolivian- Brown, A. D. and H. R. Grau. species (Jayat et al., 1999). Here Tucuman Forest. 1993. “La naturaleza y el hombre en carnivores remain little-studied In the past, timber was intensively las selvas de montaña.” Colección mammals (Olrog and Lucero, 1981; harvested in the Maiz Gordo Moun- Nuestros Ecosistemas. Proyecto GTZ, Heinonen Fortabat and Chébez, tains; nevertheless, its state of Salta, 143 pp. 1997; Mares et al., 1997). Most conservation is still acceptable. There Brown, A. D. And D. I. Rumiz. 1989. Argentinian species occur in the are other high conservation value “Habitat and distribution of the Bolivian-Tucuman Forest. Therefore carnivore species in the area includ- spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus) in it’s urgent to collect basic informa- ing jaguar (Panthera onca), ocelot the southern limit of its range.” In: tion to determine the presence and (Leopardus pardalis), and margay (L. Rosenthal, M (ed). Proceedings of the distribution of carnivores in the wiedii), etc. However, the lack of first internat. Symp. on the Spectacled zone. conservation policy in the area Bear: 93-103. Lincoln Park Zoological Perhaps, the most controversial represents an important threat for Society, Chicago. case is the Andean bear (Tremarctos the mountain ecosystem. A provin- Cabrera, A. 1976. “Regiones ornatus) whose presence has been cial reserve in the Maiz Gordo fitogeográficas argentinas.” Enciclopedia much discussed in the literature Mountains has been reclassified to Agricultura y Jardinería, 85 pp. (Olrog, 1979; Olrog and Lucero, develop intensive cattle activities, Del Moral, J. F. 2005. “Contribución al 1981; Brown and Rumiz, 1989; Peréz and has been promoted for conver- conocimiento de la distribución del oso Torres, 2001). It has been thought sion to agricultural uses by the andino (Tremarctos ornatus): un caso that bear presence was unlikely due provincial government. Human documentado de ocurrencia en Argen- to the lack of verified sightings activities in the area include agricul- tina.” Manuscrito no publicado. during the last 200 years (Brown, ture, cattle ranching and hunting.

International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 31 Americas Evidence of Andean Grizzlies in Final Report: Bear in Northwest British Columbia Eastern Slopes Argentina, cont’d. Grizzly Bear Project

Duellman, W. E. (ed.) 1979. “The Steve Herrero South American Herpetofauna: Its origin, Chair, ESGBP Steering Committee evolution, and dispersal.” Monograph of Email [email protected] the Museum of Natural History, The University of Kansas, 7: 1-485. The final report of the Eastern Fjeldsa, J. Y N. Krabbe. 1990. “Birds of Slopes Grizzly Bear Project (ESGBP) the high Andes.” Zoological Museum. was released in July, 2005. The report University of Copenhagen, 876 pp. culminates 11 years of research Heinonen Fortabat, S. and J. C. regarding the biology, demography, Chebez. 1997. “Los mamíferos de los ecology and management of grizzly parques nacionales de la Argentina.” bears in and around Banff National Monografía L.O.L.A., Buenos Aires, Park and Kananaskis Country, Alberta, 14:1-70. Canada. More than 225 individuals Jayat, J. P.; R. M. Bárquez; M. M. and 55 supporting organizations Diaz And P. G. Martinez. 1999. contributed to the study. Supporting “Aportes al conocimiento de la agencies included Parks Canada of the distribución de los carnívoros del Canadian federal government, various noroeste de Argentina.” Mastozoología agencies from the Provinces of Alberta Neotropical, Tucumán, 6 (1):15-30. and British Columbia, the University Mares, M. A.; R. A. Ojeda; J. K. Braun of Calgary, and groups representing And R. M. Bárquez. 1997. “Systematics, conservation, business and industry, distribution, and ecology of the mam- recreation and other interests. The mals of Catamarca Province, Argentina.” ESGBP’s mandate was to contribute Pp. 89-141. In: Life among the muses: scientific understanding regarding

papers in honor of James S. Findley © Elayne Barclay grizzly bear population status and the (Yates, T. L.; W. L. Gannon y D. E. cumulative influences of human Wilson, eds.). Albuquerque, The Matt Austin activities on it. The ESGBP had no University of New Mexico. British Columbia management authority. Despite this, Olrog, C. C. 1979. “Los mamíferos Ministry of Environment results have led to management de la selva hámeda, Cerro Calilegua, British Columbia, Canada actions and will provide the scientific Jujuy.” Acta Zoológica Lilloana, Email [email protected] basis to support future management Tucumán, 33 (2):9-14. actions. Olrog, C. C. y M. Lucero. 1980. The progress report from the The final report is composed of 30 “Guía de los mamíferos argentinos.” Grizzly Bear Scientific Panel on our individual contributions, including a Ministerio de Cultura y Educación, implementation of their recommen- detailed summary and management Fundación Miguel Lillo. Tucumán, dations as well as the Minister’s recommendations. The core paper is Argentina, 154 pp. response have been posted on the on grizzly bear demographics in the Perez Torres, J. 2001. “Guía para la Grizzly Bear Conservation Strategy Bow River Watershed. This was conservación del oso andino u oso de website: http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/ recently published in volume anteojos, Tremarctos ornatus (F. G. wld/grzz/index.htm. 69(1):277–299, of the Journal of Cuvier, 1825).” Convenio Andrés We have also recently posted five Wildlife Management. Twenty-nine Bello, Serie Ciencia y Tecnología, N° technical papers that describe our other papers are included in the final 93. Bogotá, Colombia. 51 pp. new population estimates and report, some previously published, Vuilleumier, F. 1993. harvest procedure on the same site. others not. Demographics, especially “Biogeografía de aves en el Finally, we have provided funding various mortality analyses, are a geotrópico: jerarquías conceptuales to 15 communities in British Colum- major focus of the report. The final y perspectivas para futuras bia to facilitate them in achieving report is available on the website of investigaciones.” Revista Chilena “Bear Smart” community status. Mike the ESGBP, www.canadianrockies.net/ de Historia Natural, 66:11-51. Badry ([email protected]) is Grizzly. A limited number of printed the contact for this initiative. and CD copies are also available.

32 International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 Americas Northcentral USA/ Bear Sightings in Southcentral Canada South Texas?

Pam Coy Another attack occurred on Charity A. Kraft Minnesota Department September 21, 2005 when a 22-year- Caesar Kleberg of Natural Resources old forestry worker was dragged from Wildlife Research Institute Forest Wildlife Populations and his tent while he slept by a black Texas A&M University Kingsville Research Group bear in the Pakwash Forest, about 700 University Blvd., MSC 218 1201 East Highway 2 150 km northeast of Kenora. Other Kingsville, TX 78363, USA Grand Rapids, MN 55744, USA employees were able to fight off the Phone (361) 593-4500 Phone (218) 327-4159 bear and the victim was taken to the Email [email protected] Email [email protected] hospital for treatment of puncture wounds and abrasions. Yes, it’s true. Whispers of Ameri- Ontario Black Bear Attacks can black bear sightings throughout Dr. Jacqueline Perry, 30, a family Minnesota South Texas have been stirring practitioner from Cambridge Non-fatal Bear Attack throughout the area for the last Ontario, and her husband Marc Mary Munn, 50, was attacked by a several years. However, most of the Jordan, also 30, were attacked by an black bear on July 29, 2005 as she bear movements through this American black bear in Missinaibi walked on a trail in the woods near mesquite-dominated brushland have Lake Provincial Park, about 80 km her home 30 miles south of Duluth. been transient in nature. The latest north of Chapleau, on September 6, She was walking with her dog when report came through Texas Parks and 2005. The attack occurred around 5 she encountered a bear. The bear Wildlife Department on September PM at a remote campsite. The bear charged and Mary turned and ran a 11, 2005 when a gas well worker first attacked Perry and tried to drag couple of steps but then stopped and spotted a female and her cub on a her into the woods then attacked turned because she didn’t want to be ranch southeast of Laredo, Texas. Jordan as he tried to save his wife. He tackled from behind. The bear veered This observation came the day after managed to stab the bear several off but then charged again, at which a subadult was spotted by a state times with a Swiss army knife. He time Mary punched it in the nose trooper, a sheriff’s officer, and a was eventually able to drag his several times with her fist. Her dog border patrol agent on a nearby severely injured wife away from the drew the bear away several times but highway no more than 200 yards bear and place her in their kayak but it kept returning to Mary. At one from the female and cub. All three she died of her injuries on the trip point the bear clawed her knee and bears were said to be in good out of the park. Jordan was airlifted she fell down. The bear then bit her condition. to a hospital in Sudbury, Ontario thigh and then began biting her with sever lacerations and puncture armpit and shaking her. The bear left wounds. for no apparent reason and she was On September 10th ministry staff able to walk home and call for help. shot and killed a black bear near Minnesota Department of where the fatal attack occurred. The Natural Resources conserva- animal fit the description of the bear tion officers set traps in that attacked the couple, including a the area but were wound in its neck like one that unable to catch any Jordan inflicted as he tried to fight bears. off the bear. The carcass was sent for testing. The last fatal bear attack in Ontario occurred in 1992, when a geologist in the Cochrane area was mauled.

International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 33 Americas During 2005 More People Killed By Bears in North America Than in Any Previous Year

Stephen Herrero Table 1: Fatal Attacks on People in North America by American Black Bear or Environmental Science Brown (Grizzly) Bear During 2005 University of Calgary Date and location Number of Species of Sex of bear Predatory, 2500 University Drive people bear defensive, or other Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4 killed motivation Phone (403) 220-7436 Fax (403) 243-5012 June 5, 2005 1 brown male Probably predatory Email [email protected] Canmore, Alberta (grizzly) Canada During 2005 through October 14, 2005, I know of seven people who June 14, 2005 1 Amer. male Predatory Nowacho Lake, NWT black have been killed by American black Canada bear (3), or brown (grizzly) bear (4) in North America (Table 1). This is June 25 or 26, 2005 2 brown male Probably predatory more recorded fatal injuries than Hulahula River, Alaska (grizzly) during any previous year since 1900. USA During the decade of the 1990s August 26, 2005 1 Amer. male Predatory American black bears are known to East Selkirk, Manitoba black have killed 11 people and brown Canada (grizzly) bears 18. From 2000 until September 6, 2005 1 Amer. male Predatory October 14, 2005, American black Missinaibi Provincial Park black bears are known to have killed 11 Ontario, Canada people and brown (grizzly) bears 8 (Table 2). September 20, 2005 1 brown probably Unknown: Possibly Bowron Lakes Road (grizzly) female defensive by female There are an estimated 900,000 British Columbia with cubs, then American black bears in North Canada becoming predatory America and 60,000 brown (grizzly) or scavenging bears. American black bears outnum- ber brown (grizzly) bears by approximately 15:1 and they have killed fewer people since 1990. This Table 2: Fatal Attacks on People in North suggests roughly how much more America by American Black Bear or Brown likely a person is to be killed by a (Grizzly) Bear, 2000-2005 brown (grizzly) bear versus an Year American brown Total black bear (grizzly) American black bear. bear Identification of a bear’s motiva- 2000 2 1 3 tion in such incidents requires interpretation and in some instances 2001 2 1 3 may not be possible. To aid interpretation, some classification guidelines 2002 3 0 3 have been developed (Herrero and 2003 1 2 3 Higgins 2003). Application of these guidelines characterizes all but one 2004 0 0 0 of the fatal attacks during 2005 as either predatory or probably preda- 2005 3 4 7 tory. The seventh fatal attack may Total 11 8 19 have been defensive or predatory or more complex than either of these simple categories. It is still under investigation. Each of the six fatal

34 International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 Americas East Texas Report

attacks classified as predatory or Thomas Eason Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi, probably predatory was inflicted by a Bureau of Wildlife and bears appear to be poised for a male bear. This is consistent with Diversity and Conservation slow return in east Texas,” said previous findings (Herrero and Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission Nathan Garner, TPWD wildlife Higgins 1995, 1999) and seems to Bryant Building, 620 S. Meridian St. division regional director in Tyler. reflect a dramatic behavioral differ- Tallahasse, FL 32399-1600, USA “Having a proactive plan to manage ence between the sexes of bears. Phone (850) 413-7379 the situation is good natural resource Bear attacks may have major costs. Fax (850) 921-1867 management.” Any serious or fatal bear attack has Email thomas.wason@fwc,state.fl.us The Plan has various strategies to tragic costs to the person(s) injured achieve specific goals. These include and to their families. Bear conserva- Ten public meetings were con- educating the public about bears to tion efforts may also be negatively ducted from November 30, 2004 to minimize potential conflicts and affected. For example, in Alaska, February 3, 2005 in east Texas to allow reasonable control of nuisance “defense of life or property kills” explain the draft East Texas Black bears, and encouraging farm and (DLP) of bears, “appear to increase Bear Conservation and Management forest management that provides following newspaper accounts of Plan (Plan). Over 500 people at- bear habitat as part of a naturally attacks by bears and deaths caused by tended and approximately 70% were diverse system. The Plan suggests a bears” (Miller and Tutterow 1999). in favor of the conservation and determination of the survivability Some fatal attacks that occurred management of bears in east Texas. and reproductive capacity of reintro- during 2005 could have been The Plan was presented to the Texas duced bears in east Texas. First, avoided. I believe that it is our Parks and Wildlife Department public support for this research must responsibility, as bear research and (TPWD) Commission for final review be documented. If strong support management professionals and and comment in May 2005 and it is exists, several adult females with supporters of bear conservation, to now ready for release. The Plan may cubs could be relocated in winter work toward educating interested be viewed at http:// from out-of-state to forests in deep people regarding how to be as safe as www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/ east Texas. Bears would be fitted with possible around bears at the same huntwild/ and click on Wildlife radio collars to monitor their time as working to conserve bear Publications or request a hard copy movements. populations and habitat. from: Black bears are already in east Nathan Garner Texas to a limited extent, mainly Literature Cited Texas Parks and Wildlife Department solitary males wandering in from Herrero, S. and A. Higgins. 1995. 11942 FM 848 adjacent states. TPWD has docu- Fatal injuries inflicted to people by Tyler, TX 75707, USA mented 47 reliable bear sightings in black bear. Pages 75-82 in J. Auger Email [email protected] east Texas since 1977, about two- and H.L. Black, editors. Proceedings A dedicated team of private thirds of those were between 1991 of the Fifth Western Black Bear landowners, government agencies, and 2004. There is occupied bear Workshop, Brigham Young University timber companies, university habitat adjacent to east Texas in Press, Provo, Utah, USA. researchers, conservation groups and Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana, _____, and _____. 1999. Human others have been working on the where wildlife agencies are experi- injuries inflicted by bears in British Plan since 2002. The Plan is sup- menting with reintroducing bears in Columbia: 1960-97. Ursus 11:209-218. ported by more than 30 diverse some areas. No nuisance bear actions _____, and _____. 2003. Human groups from the public and private have occurred to date in east Texas. injuries inflicted by bears in Alberta: sector, and was created for several The PhD study titled “Integrating 1960-98. Ursus 14:44-54. reasons. Ecology and Socioeconomics for Miller, S.D. and V.L. Tutterow. “The American black bear is a Species Restoration Feasibility of a 1999. Characteristics of nonsport part of Texas’ natural heritage and Louisiana Black Bear Reintroduction mortalities to brown and black bears forest ecology. The Louisiana black In and Around Big Thicket National and human injuries from bears in bear is on the federal threatened Preserve, Texas” was completed in Alaska. Ursus 11:239-252. species list and is thus the focus of the summer of 2005 by Anita ongoing restoration efforts in Morzillo from Michigan State

International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 35 Americas East Texas Report, Louisiana Bear Repatriation Project cont’d Documents Cub Adoption

University. As part of that study, a Dave Telesco Since 2001, a total of 23 adult survey was completed of 3,000 Black Bear Conservation Committee females and 55 cubs have been households in southeast Texas to PO Box 80442 moved to the repatriation complex determine human attitudes about Baton Rouge, LA 70898, USA in east-central Louisiana. The black bears. A great deal of informa- Phone (225) 763-5457 complex includes Three Rivers WMA, tion useful to bear conservation and Email [email protected] Red River WMA, Grassy Lake WMA, management was collected. A few of and Lake Ophelia National Wildlife the highlights included that the As researchers and agency person- Refuge. If success continues, spring majority of respondents said bears nel continue to learn from previous 2006 will likely be the last year for should exist in east Texas and that efforts, the Louisiana repatriation moving bears into this complex. the presence of bears indicates a project has improved and become a As if the repatriation effort has not healthy environment. Roughly 50% genuine success. The project involves been successful and rewarding were aware that bears were histori- moving adult female American black enough, the repatriation team cally in east Texas, bears in east Texas bears with their cubs from winter documented a rare and significant are protected, and that bears are dens in an existing population to event in 2005. In early April, LSU mainly vegetarian. Approximately artificial dens at a release site where graduate students and technicians 50% felt that bears are not a poten- few, if any, bears are present. The were monitoring post-release bear tial danger or a nuisance and support goal of the project is to establish bear movements. Bears typically leave restocking bears into east Texas. Of subpopulations in areas that will their den boxes within a week or two the respondents who hunt, slightly encourage movement and genetic following relocation and occupy less than 50% were interested in exchange between isolated subpopu- ground nests as the cubs grow and hunting bears. Slightly over 50% felt lations. The cooperative effort of the are better able to move about with the bear population in east Texas Black Bear Conservation Committee, their mother. About two weeks after should be increased if a management Louisiana Department of Wildlife the moves, bear D21 moved an strategy was in place to minimize and Fisheries, Louisiana State unusually long distance from her human-bear conflicts. University (LSU), USDA Wildlife den and did not return. An effort to Services, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife locate her two cubs was unsuccessful, Service was joined by Arkansas Game but it was noted that another of the and Fish Commission (AGFC) and relocated adult female bears (bear T5) the University of Tennessee (UT) in had moved to a ground nest near 2005. AGFC and UT personnel D21’s artificial den box. When LSU shared their extensive experience graduate student Jarod Raithel moved gained from their own repatriation in to observe cubs, he found that bear project in Arkansas, and in March T5, who was relocated with only one 2005, the Louisiana team was able to cub, now had three cubs with her. move seven adult female bears and The exact chain of events that led their 15 cubs in five days! All the to the adoption of the cubs is open animals were moved to the Three for speculation. D21 could have Rivers Wildlife Management Area moved because of a confrontation (WMA) in lower Concordia Parish, with T5, or perhaps after the female Louisiana. abandoned her cubs, T5 heard their cries and went to their rescue. We will never know exactly what happened, but we do know that the cubs were adopted by the second bear. D21 has crossed the Mississippi River and was last located in the hills in Wilkinson County, Mississippi, while T5 remains in the repatriation complex in Louisiana.

36 International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 Americas Washington Manuals for Managing Bear Conflicts and Investigating Wildlife Attacks

Rich Beausoleil Negative Bear Interactions. Section 2 Washington Dept. of Fish & Wildlife includes: Trapping and Immobilizing 3515 State Highway 97A Bears, Culvert Trap Safety (for bears Wenatchee, WA 98801, USA and people), and What To Do With Email [email protected] Captured Bears. The manual is mostly in a bulleted format for quick and Washington Department of Fish easy retrieval of information. Along and Wildlife (WDFW) has completed with first-hand professional experi- drafts of two important manuals for ences, many other information field personnel: sources were used in developing this Managing Black Bear Conflict and manual including: Staying Safe in Procedure for Investigation of Wildlife Bear Country, A Behavioral Approach to Attacks on Humans. Reducing Risk (page 45, order form Managing Black Bear Conflict is page 55) and Bear Shepherding intended to be a guide for WDFW Guidelines For Safe and Effective and video recorders; these dynamics field personnel (wildlife and enforce- Treatment of Human/Bear Conflicts can affect the overall process. The ment programs) responding to (Wind River Bear Institute, Missoula, purpose of this manual is to guaran- American black bear conflicts. It was Montana). The manual covers tee the integrity of all the evidence, created to: (1) convey an accurate immobilizations but does not discuss much like a crime scene investiga- and consistent message about bears drug types and dosages as all WDFW tion. The manual was designed to be to the public; and, (2) increase personnel using immobilizing drugs a step-by-step guide to assist wildlife WDFW’s consistency and profession- are required to attend a yearly course officers and others with their investi- alism when addressing bear conflict taught by WDFW veterinarians. The gation. The intent is that all WDFW issues in the field. The manual has manual also covers: (1) possible personnel that may use this manual two sections: actions for resolving black bear- would review it and be familiar with Section 1: Bear Behavior and human conflicts based on the level it prior to its need. Personnel from Avoiding Conflict; and Section 2: of risk; (2) bear behavior and public British Columbia Ministry of Envi- Trapping Bears and Trap Safety. Section safety risks to consider when trap- ronment, Lands and Parks provided 1 includes: Understanding Bears, Types ping and relocating black bears; and, the template for this manual after a of Bear Encounters, What To Do if You (3) site factors to consider when fatal human attack and subsequent Encounter a Bear, and Tips To Avoid capturing black bears for on-site lawsuit several years ago. We drew on release, relocation, or aversive their experience, and customized the conditioning. manual for use in Washington. We Procedure for Investigation of also added track identification plates Wildlife Attacks on Humans was and travel patterns to help identify developed to assist WDFW officers carnivores (American black bear, with the investigation of wildlife grizzly bear, cougar, bobcat, wolf, attacks. We hope we will never need coyote, dog) that could be involved to use the manual, but feel it is in a human attack in Washington. necessary to have it in place consid- After several revisions, the manual is ering the potential litigious ramifica- in the process of becoming part of a tions. In the event of a wildlife formal regulation and is being attack and a human fatality, it is incorporated into statewide wildlife imperative to remain focused and be officer training programs. Upon mindful of the investigative process completion of those tasks, the to insure an effective and complete manual will become part of the list of investigation. Numerous people required field equipment carried by from many agencies may be re- all wildlife officers and biologists sponding to the scene, potentially who may respond to a wildlife attack. followed by the media with cameras

International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 37 Captive Bears Semen Collection in Captive Andean Bears

Marco A. Enciso, DVM Student (Eletrojet®, Eletrovet, Sao Paulo, References Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Brazil) consists of a 50 cm x 2 cm Enciso, M.A., Bermúdez, L., Faculty of Veterinary Medicine rectal probe (length by diameter), Evangelista S. and Rojas, G. 2004. San Marcos University, Lima, Peru three longitudinal electrodes and a First essay of semen collection in an Correspondence address: maximum 12 volts. Andean bear in Peru. International Jr. San Miguel 257, 2° piso, Urb. The work was done with two Bear News 13(4):26. Cahuache, San Luis, Lima 30 adult Andean bears at the Huachipa Howard, JG. 1993. Semen collec- Lima, Peru Zoological Park, Lima, Peru. Both tion and analysis in carnivores. In: Phone 51-1-97060016 animals were anesthetized and the Zoo & Wild Animal Medicine. Current Email [email protected] same electroejaculation protocol Therapy 3. Fowler, ME (ed). WB was used for both. They received Saunders. USA. pp:392. Peru has the biggest population of progressive electrical discharges Ishikawa, A., Matsui, M., Tsuruga, Andean bears (Tremarctos ornatus) in from 2 volts to 12 volts, generating H., Sakamoto, H., Takahashi, Y. and South America (Peyton, 1999), variable responses and ejaculation: Kanagawa, H. 1998. Electroejaculation however several factors are causing in the first case the seminal volume and semen characteristics of the reduction of wild Andean bear and quality were regular, and in the captive Hokkaido brown bear (Ursus populations. Therefore it is necessary second one, good, in relation to the arctos yesoensis). J. Vet. Med. Sci. 60(8): to study the species for its preserva- previous sample. Using general 965-968. tion, and understanding reproduc- anesthesia during semen collection Malev, A.V., Saghirov, R.G., Pavlov, tion is one of the most important limited the time to evaluate differ- U.I., Christyakov, R.E., Mirolyuvob, goals. ent ways of applying electrical M.G. and Eremeev, AM. 1991. Our work focuses on Andean bear stimuli. In addition each animal’s Obtaining sperm from a Spectacled semen collection and cryopreservation. physiological state and stress level bear at the Kazan Zoological Gar- Andean bear semen collection by from capture was different. Also, dens. In: International Studbook for the electroejaculation is not well-docu- the captive bears’ stereotypical Spectacled Bear. Wheinhardt, D. (ed). mented. Howard (1993) mentions behavior may have significantly Lincoln Park Zoological Gardens. semen analysis from samples collected affected semen collection. The Chicago, Ill, USA. pp:83-85. using 2 volts, without providing bears masturbated several times a Peyton, B. 1999. Spectacled Bear details of the process. Platz et al. day in their rest area, and it is very conservation action plan. In: Bears: (1983) also mentions Andean bear likely that this reduced the quan- Status survey and conservation action sperm morphometric measures tity and quality of the ejaculation. plan. Servheen, C.; Herrero, S. and without describing the method of Semen collection protocols can be Peyton, B. (eds). IUCN/SCC Bear semen collection. A report by Malev et developed, but will always be partly Specialist Group. Switzerland and al. (1991) says that work with an adult dependent for success on the indi- Cambridge. U.K. p:157-198. bear used 25 volts, and a sample was vidual bear. The samples obtained by Platz, C.C. Jr., Wildt, D.E., not obtained because of the absence of the electroejaculation procedure Howard, J.G. and Bush, M. 1983. testes, a diagnosis corroborated post– allowed a semen analysis that Electroejaculation and semen mortem. included measurement of parameters analysis and freezing in the Giant A preliminary study (Enciso et like volume, PH, motility, concentra- Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). J. al., 2004) discusses semen collection and spermatic morphology. Reprod. Fertil. 67:9-12. tion using an electroejaculator for Ongoing studies will improve our Renner, M.J. and Lussier, J.P. 2002. small ruminants applying 6 volts, protocol to increase sample quality in Environment enrichment for the which resulted in a sample with a semen collection for Andean bears. It captive Spectacled bear (Tremarctos 50% motility. Because a significant is important to continue trying to ornatus). Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav. sample was not obtained using this standardize a collection protocol for 73:279-283. method, equipment was designed semen cryopreservation as a tool for for Andean bear requirements, Andean bear conservation. using the electroejaculator model for Ursos arctos yesoensis (Ishikawa et al., 1998). The electroejaculator

38 International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 Captive Bears Mucous Stools in Andean Bears

Wendy Gardner A 28-question survey was sent to bears has more simple sugar and less Woodland Park Zoo facilities housing a total of 81 fiber than fruits eaten by wild Andean Seattle, Washington, USA Andean bears. Fifty-three surveys bears (Dierenfeld, 1989). The similarity Phone (360) 363-1052 were returned from 32 facilities, of diets and food enrichment offered Email [email protected] providing data for 32 males and 21 to bears in this survey could explain & females, ages 4-25 years. All were the lack of affect on mucous stools. Rebecca J. Snyder captive born. Keepers recorded size, Sex was not a significant factor in Zoo Atlanta quantity and timing of any mucous producing mucous stools. Only 11 Atlanta, Georgia, USA stools, and diet, enrichment, health, bears (6 males and 5 females) surveyed behavior changes, age, and sex of passed mucous stools and they had While caring for two captive bears. similar diets, browse and enrichment. Andean bears (Tremarctos ornatus) I To analyze the effect of diet on The effect of age class was not ana- noticed they periodically passed mucous stools, bears were classified lyzed due to insufficient data. mucous stools, which seemed to according to the frequency and type Some bears may pass mucous stools coincide with decreased appetite. of diet and food enrichment. We due to differences in behavior, health The bears showed no obvious measured the effect of different foods or environment, or multiple causes. changes in health or behavior, and (browse, meat, omnivore biscuit, dog Determining if wild Andean bears pass fecal/mucous tests revealed nothing food, eggs) on the rate of mucous mucous stools, analyzing their diet, unusual. Other institutions reported stools (Sheskin, 2000). behavior, health risks and environ- similar observations. No significant sex differences were mental pressures would be helpful and Experience with giant pandas found in the yearly rate of mucous might also identify factors for mucous (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) and discus- stools. No significant relationship stool production in giant pandas. sions with other keepers indicate that was found between any of the foods most captive giant pandas also pass tested and mucous stools. References mucous stools with varying frequency. Bamboo is 98% of the giant panda’s Dierenfeld, E.S. (1989). Nutritional They tend to show simultaneous wild diet, (Schaller et al., 1985) as well considerations in feeding the captive behavioral changes, including de- as some captive animals. A decrease in spectacled bears. Proceedings of the creased appetite, restlessness (e.g., bamboo consumption seems to First International Symposium on the increase in locomotion/pacing), and contribute to giant pandas’ creating Spectacled Bear. pp.114-130. curling up and honking (a distress mucous stools (unpublished data). Mainka, S.A., Zhao G.L., and Mao, vocalization). Once the mucous stool Plants, especially bromeliads can be L. (1989). Utilization of a bamboo, passes, their appetite and behavior 92% of wild Andean bear diet sugarcane, and gruel diet by two usually return to normal. (Dierenfeld, 1989). Could captive juvenile giant pandas (Ailuropoda Giant pandas have a high density Andean bears not offered the equiva- melanoleuca). Journal of Zoo Wildlife of mucous producing cells in the lent plant material experience mucous Medicine, 20(1), 39-44. lining of their gut that presumably stools? Sources of fiber and roughage Schaller, G.B., Hu, J., Pan, W., and aid in digesting bamboo (Schaller et fed captive Andean bears in this study Zhu, J. (1985). The giant pandas of al., 1985). Sloughing excess mucous included, browse (bamboo, willow, Wolong. Chicago: University of periodically may be a normal etc.), omnivore biscuits and dog food. Chicago Press. function or the result of decreased However, lack of or minimal amounts Sheskin, D.J. (2000). Parametric and bamboo consumption. of these foods did not affect mucous nonparametric statistical procedures. New Andean bears and giant pandas are production. Eggs, sugarcane and bread York: Chapman & Hall/CRC. closely related (Talbot and Shields, were evaluated because they were not Siegel, S., and Castellan, N.J. (1988). 1996) which might facilitate under- fed to all bears. They were not signifi- Nonparametric statistics for the behav- standing mucous stools in both cant in producing mucous stools, ioral sciences. New York: McGraw-Hill. species. Our goal was to determine though two bears passed mucous after Zhang, Y.P., and Ryder, O.A. the frequency of mucous stools in eating sugar cane. Fruits and veg- (1993). Mitochondrial DNA sequence captive North American Andean etables were offered to all bears in the evolution in the Arctoidea. Proceed- bears and evaluate the effects of sex, survey, but were not analyzed. It may ings of the National Academy Science. age, and diet on their frequency. be that fruit fed to captive Andean USA, 90, 9557-9561.

International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 39 Student Forum Truman Takes Italy by Storm(s)!

Diana Doan-Crider IBA Student Coordinator King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management MSC 137 Texas A&M University-Kingsville Kingsville, TX 78363-8202, USA Phone (361) 593-5407 Email [email protected]

Some storms were good, and some storms were very, very bad. One bad storm had already left about 140 of our Louisiana neighbors sleeping on cots in our Kingsville rodeo arena. Another bad storm left me all dressed up with nowhere to go when my flight to Italy was abruptly cancelled due to a somewhat exaggerated hurricane evacuation in Houston. I would have been dreadfully disap- pointed if it were not for being reminded that I could have been sleeping on a cot in a rodeo arena, so I muffled my complaints and just asked for a refund from the frazzled airline desk attendant. It all turned out quite well, given that the IBA has some student superheroes that IBA students Ximena Velez (Bolivia), Alexandros Karamanlidis (Greece) and stormed Italy (in a very good way), Andreas Zedrosser (Austria) at the 16th IBA conference in Italy. and were supernaturally able to carry out Truman’s mission at the confer- rescue and attended with high All of this was done over a wonderful ence in Riva del Garda with great numbers and interest. Truman Italian luncheon that was sponsored success. would like to thank everyone! by the IBA. The student session was First of all, I need to take the time Ximena reports that approxi- also honored by the presence of Julia to thank our wonderful Italian hosts, mately 50 students attended, along Bevins who founded the John Claudio Groff, Piero Genovesi, and with IBA professionals Frank van Sheldon Bevins Memorial Founda- Lorenza Negri, for going the extra Manen, Lisette Waits, Brian Scheick, tion which has contributed substan- mile to make the student session a Kate Kendall, John Hechtel, Jon tially to student research. success. Because of the distance Swenson, Harry Reynolds, Andy Students felt that the discussions factor, they made all of the arrange- Derocher, Mike Vaughan, Karen were helpful in developing new ideas ments for the location and meal, and Noyce and Djuro Huber. Group for their research, but above all, it turned out fabulous! IBA students discussions were broken down into benefitted from the interaction and Ximena Velez, Andreas Zedrosser, six categories based on student networking with IBA professionals and Alexandros Karamanlidis requests: genetics, GIS and ecological who will be valuable ongoing literally took over the entire event modelling, ecology, diet studies, contacts. All of this input will help with the help of Brian Scheick, who trapping methods, and conservation us to develop future student sessions, has been a great friend to the IBA and hunting. Each discussion was in particular, our upcoming event at students from the beginning. IBA then led by individual IBA profes- the 17th IBA conference in Japan professionals also came to the sionals who specialize in those areas. next year. We hope to see you there!

40 International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 Information Please Bear Trust Looking for Good Bear Stories

IBA Student? A.C. Smid you scratch a bear biologist, you find The List Serve is for You! Bear Trust International a storyteller. Recently, it seems as if PO Box 4006 many stories appearing in the media Missoula, MT 59806, USA have provided the public with Phone (406) 523-7779 significantly distorted views of bears Email [email protected] and their relationship to humans. While The Bear Book does not have Bear Trust International has received any type of agenda behind it other funding to compile a book of bear than good conservation expressed stories, with the working title The through good stories, we believe the Bear Book: The Stories Behind the book can nonetheless attract a wide Science as Told to Bear Trust. The audience without resorting to initial idea for the book came about sensationalism. over breakfast during the San Diego If you have a story to share, IBA meeting in February 2003. The please email Bear Trust at idea further took shape after the [email protected]. We will dinner hour, when bear stories can send you a packet explaining how to be at their best. Conference attend- submit information about your story Sign up for the Student List Serve ees from Bear Trust, a nonprofit and the story compilation process. As (Truman) organization headquartered in the book’s title states, the compila- • For students only Missoula, Montana, thought the idea tion will be “as told to Bear Trust.” • Discussions pertaining to bear for the book was so interesting that We will be using a professional writer biology, management, or study the organization began looking for a to compile the stories, so contribu- design challenges funding source. Now that the tors will not be burdened with the • Assistance with proposals and funding has been secured from a task of providing a finished product study design through IBA profes- generous donor, Bear Trust is looking for the book. However, contributors sionals for nonfiction stories. will be credited as the source for the • Job searches, announcements, The purpose of the book is to give story. Additionally, each story will be information regarding the IBA the general public a look at bears accompanied by information on the and student membership that is accurate, but that is told from contributor, including any details on • Planning for IBA student activities a personal point of view. While the the research being done relative to and meetings tone of the stories will be more lively the story, as well as contact informa- • IBA membership is encouraged, but and intimate than scientific fare tion. We believe the book will be a not required for initial sign-up tends to be, each story will be good vehicle for connecting research- Instructions accompanied by information on the ers with readers who are interested in • Email Diana Doan-Crider at research or other type of project that learning more about bears and bear [email protected] to enroll was underway when the story took research. • After enrollment, go to: place. Bear Trust has recruited an So if you have a good bear story http://aristotle.tamuk.edu editorial board of wildlife profession- you’d like to see published in a • Click on Agricultural Lists als to guide us in making decisions compilation, please contact Bear • Click on Truman about which stories to use based Trust. Or if you know someone with • Enter your email address and the upon each story’s merits. a good bear story, please pass along password “Bears01” As we learned in San Diego, this information about the book and • Go to Create Message having good stories to tell is a encourage them to contribute. Do NOT reply to list serve mes- beneficial byproduct of working with sages using your “reply” button. You bears. Or to put it another way, when must return to Truman and respond within the list serve or else other members will not receive your response.

International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 41 Bears in Culture Exit, pursued by a bear

Anne Ruggles a transition from winter to spring, theater started at a penny and there Bear Canyon Consulting, LLC from death to rebirth, and the divide are records showing thousands of Phone (303) 938-0490 between a tragedy of jealousy and a people crossing the Thames at Paris Email [email protected] pastoral romance. Landing from London to the South Mucedorus, the play on which Bank on Tuesday and Thursday A Winter’s Tale is one of Shakespeare is supposed to have afternoons. In 1570, the bulls were Shakespeare’s last plays, written in based A Winter’s Tale and a popular moved from the baiting arena at the 1611. The first half is a tragedy replete Elizabethan play, was staged in 1610 Paris Garden to an adjoining field, with jealousy, dead children, broken and involved a “live bear.” leaving the Paris Garden (subse- friendships and marriages, and Shakespeare refers to bears and bear- quently known as the Beare Garden) banished babies. The second half is a baiting in others plays. In Julius Caesar, to specialize in bear-baiting. romance of young love, courtship, when Octavius Caesar and Antony are marriage, and repentance. In the surrounded by the forces of Brutus and At Beare-Garden, (a sweet Rotuntious center of the play, dividing the tragedy Cassius, Octavius cries, “We are at the Colledge) from the comedy—comes a bear. After stake/And bayed about by many Hee’s taught the Rudiments of Art the character Antigonus ends his enemies.” When Macbeth is cornered and knowledge. soliloquy with, “This is the chase! I am in Dunsinane Castle he uses similar There doth he learne to dance, and gone forever!” Shakespeare’s stage terms: “They have tied me to the stake; (gravely grumbling) directions say: “Exit, pursued by a I cannot fly/But bear-like I must fight To fight and to be Active (bravely bear.” Nothing more, but far more the course.” And in King Lear, tumbling) than the more typical lack of direction Gloucester realizes that he is to be To practise wards, and postures, to or simple exeunt when a character tormented by Lear’s daughters, and and fro, leaves the stage. Why was it necessary identifies himself with a bear: “I am To guard himselfe, and to offend his to have Antigonus pursued and tied to th’stake, and I must stand the foe... consumed by a bear? course.” One of the bears used in John Taylor (1638): This is perhaps the most famous of baiting was so well known that it Bull, Beare, and Horse, &c., p. 56 stage directions. A later character appears in The Merry Wives of Windsor announces Antigonus’ death, “I’ll go see by name when Slender boasts to Anne Queen Elizabeth entertained if the bear be gone from the gentleman, Page that, “I have seen Sackerson loose visiting dignitaries and ambassadors and how much he hath eaten…If there twenty times; and have taken him by at the baitings and there were official be any of him left, I’ll bury it.” the chain: but, I warrant you, the court offices devoted to the games: Among theater and Shakespeare women have so cried and shrieked at Master of the Queen’s Game in Paris scholars, there is little consensus about it, that it passed.” Garden, and Master, Guyder and why this direction is given. Antigonus In 16th century England, the Ruler of our Beares and Apes. Baiting could just as easily have died when his Puritans controlled the London city was so esteemed by royalty that in ship and crew sank soon afterwards in council and resented the royal 1591, at the beginning of a storm. There has been enormous patronage of decadent entertain- Shakespeare’s career, the growing discussion on this bear as theatrical ments. In 1574, the Puritan council popularity of the theaters resulted in device, as a symbol, and as an allegory; banished the theaters, stews (broth- a royal edict closing theaters on centering on the symbolic nature of els), and bear-baiting arenas. Thursdays, so that bull and bear the bear as a stand-in for corrupt They reappeared across the baiting would not be neglected. Bears officials, or politicians; and on the use Thames. Baitings, the theater, and were not killed but were honored for of the bear as a trope for the juxtaposi- the brothels thrived side-by-side for their skill, and known by name: Ned tion of the grotesque with the hu- years and were common diversions of Canterbury, George of Cambridge, mane, the primitive with the refined. for the public. There were 16 theaters Don John, Beefe of Ipswich, Robin The appearance of this bear, along and many baiting arenas for a Hood, Blind Robin, Judith of Cam- with the change from verse to prose, population of only about 200,000. bridge, Kate of Kent, Nell of Holland, does signal several things: the death One arena for baitings could hold a Sackerson, Will Tookey and Besse of Antigonus, the severing of an thousand spectators. The fee for Runner (two white bears) and Tom abandoned baby from her royal past, admittance to the baitings and the Dogged.

42 International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 Bears in Culture

Many theaters were owned by Ile write of baiting of the Bulls and More heads, or legs, or necks, are Philip Heslow and his son-in-law Beares. broake each day, actor, Edward Allyn. Henslowe was a It is a Game so ancient, that I wot At Cards, Dice, Tables, Bowles, or renowned theater manager, but he Records can scarce shew when we foot-ball-play. spent an equal amount of time usde it not. The Game hath been maintain’d, organizing baiting in the Paris Except now, in these sad infectious and will, we hope Garden. Henslowe and Allyn bought times, Be so againe (now favour gives it the lucrative office of Master of the That heav’ns just hand doth plague scope) Royal Game of Bears, Bulls, and us for our crimes, For Kings, for Princes, for Ambassa- Mastiff Dogs, thereby controlling the The Game is by authority supprest; dors, sport for several years. In 1610, they And Beares, and Bulls, and Dogs, Both for our Countrymen, and were paid for the upkeep of two have too much rest, forreigners. white bears and a young lion. Through want of baiting growne to Which hath been held, a Royalty and In 1613-1614 Henslowe and such a straine, Game, Alleyn built the Hope Theatre to (Hard to be tam’d, or brought in And (though ecclips’d) will be againe replace the Bear Garden. The Bear frame againe) the same. Garden provided only baiting with Almost all mad for want of exercise, John Taylor (1638): jigs as interludes whereas the Hope Filling, the Aire with roaring and Bull, Beare, and Horse, &c. p. 59-60 combined bear-baiting and theater. with cries, Henslowe and Allyne and the That those who neer the Bear-Garden References acting companies using their theaters are dwelling Biggins, Dennis. 1962. “‘Exit Pursued had access to bears; bears were Do heare such bellowing, bawling, by a Beare’: A Problem in The Winter’s common in entertainments of the yawling, yelling, Tale.” Shakespeare Quarterly 13: 3-13. period; and bears were trained to As if Hell were broake loose, or (truth Browner, J. 1994. Wrong Side of the perform. Henslowe and Allyne’s to speake) River: London’s disreputable South Bank theater inventory included: one The Devils at foot ball were on in the 16th and 17th century. Essays in bear’s head, one bear’s skin, one Barley-breake. History Vol. 36. Corcoran Dept. of bull’s head, two lions’ heads, one There’s three couragious Bulls, as History at the Univ/ of Virginia. lion’s skin, and the head of a ever plaid, Evans, G.B. ed. 1997. The River- Cerberus (a mythical three-headed Twenty good Beares, as er’e to stake side Shakespeare. Second Edition, dog, perhaps one of the dogs used in was taid. Houghton Mifflin. the baitings). Gurr, A. 1992. The Shakespearean Shakespeare went to London in As for the Game I boldly dare relate, stage:1574-1642. Third Edition. 1594 to join one of the great theatri- ’Tis not for Boyes, or fooles effemi- Cambridge Press. cal companies of the day as actor, nate, Kay, D. 1992. Shakespeare: His manager, and playwright. Beginning For whoso’ere comes thither, most Life, Work, and Era. Great Britain: in 1599 his troupe put on plays at and least, Sidgwick & Jackson Ltd. New York: the Globe and he worked in Henslow May see and learne some courage William Morrow, Quill Editions. and Allyne’s Fortune Theatre. So, did from a Beast: Taylor, J. 1638. Bull, Beare, and his stage direction intend that a well- And ’tis not only a base Rabble Crew, Horse, Cut, Curtaile, and Longtaile. With known bear of the time be used in a That thither comes, It may be proved Tales, and Tales of Buls, Clenches, and popular entertainment; was a live true, Flashes. As also here and there a touch of bear used; or was a costume, derived That to the Beare-Garden comes now our Beare-Garden-sport; with the second from a bear who fought in the and than, part of the Merry conceits of Wit and baitings, employed? Some Gamesters worth ten thousand Mirth. Together with the Names of all In 1642, the Puritans won out and pounds a man. the Bulls and Beares. M. Parsons. both theater and baitings were For rough behaviour that’s no great London. http://www.jsu.edu/depart/ banned. disgrace, english/gates/shak/bearjtay.htm There’s more hors-play us’d at each Thomson, L. 2000. Shakespeare and deere hors-race, the art of making an exit. University of Toronto Quarterly. Vol 69:2. International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 43 Publications Book Review Into Brown Bear Country

By Will Troyer Troyer accomplished his goal of University of Alaska Press, taking scientific information and 2005, 130 pages, US$24.95 making it palatable to the public. ISBN IO: 1-889963-72-0 There are only a few statements he makes that I would question. For Will Troyer condenses a wealth of example, when writing about females brown bear knowledge and experience rearing young he states that a into an easy-to-read and richly mother’s most difficult time is during illustrated publication. Troyer worked salmon season. I’m not sure data are as both refuge manager and bear adequate to make that judgment and researcher on the Kodiak National I suspect that the period immediately Wildlife Refuge, conducted brown bear after den emergence is an equally studies in Katmai National Park and, difficult time. He also indicates that after retirement, guided bear viewers brown bears generally wean cubs in and photographers on the Alaska the third spring whereas my work on establishment of the Kodiak National Peninsula. In the introduction he Kodiak Island indicated nearly half of Wildlife Refuge. states that the major goal of the book the litters were weaned in the fourth Chapter 12 on Troyer’s pioneering is “to provide biological information spring. But, these are minor points. bear research on Kodiak Island and without losing readers in scientific Some of the information Troyer relates Katmai National Park is a must read jargon.” He works toward that goal in can be found in the many popular for anyone who has been involved in the first nine chapters, drawing on his bear books now available but his the capture and handling of bears. experience as well as research reported accounts seem to have more clout Try to imagine the adrenaline rushes by others. In the next two chapters he because of his background. My only involved in lassoing a snared bear pursues a second goal—to document concern in the chapters on bear and anesthetizing it with an ether- attitudes and conflicts between bears biology is that, in a few instances, saturated bucket placed over the and people in the early years of Alaska. Troyer tended to assign human bear’s head. After I had finished His thought is that we should not thoughts and emotions to the bears. reading this chapter my only wish is forget that historical perspective as Hopefully, this won’t convey the that he had included more stories. human encroachment on bear habitat wrong message to some readers. While In the final chapter Troyer relates gives rise to new conflicts. His next it is important to dispel, in Troyer’s some of the important conservation chapter, my favorite, recounts his words, “the ferocious killer image so efforts on behalf of coastal brown hands-on adventures while conduct- often depicted in popular literature,” it bears in Alaska. However, the tone is ing research on Kodiak Island and the is also important that people under- somewhat pessimistic and suggests Katmai coast. In Chapters 13 and 14 stand and respect bears as wild that in the future bears may be greatly he provides advice, reinforced by animals. reduced or exterminated in many personal experience, on how to travel In Chapter 10 Troyer writes about areas. My view is more optimistic. in bear country, how to recognize bear predation on ungulates, marine Brown bears on the Alaska Peninsula, dangerous situations and handle close mammals, bird eggs and salmon, but Kodiak Island and Admiralty Islands encounters, proper behavior of people a good portion of the chapter deals are healthy, well managed, and their at bear viewing sites, and how to safely with the conflict between bears and future seems bright. view and photograph brown bears. In salmon on Kodiak Island. This was Into Brown Bear County has good the final chapter (15) Troyer makes a an important conflict and I think the information, captivating stories and plea for enlightened conservation of lessons would have been conveyed great photos. I enjoyed the book. brown bears. more effectively in a separate and Throughout the book Troyer begins perhaps expanded chapter. Another Reviewed by each chapter with a short story to minor quibble on my part. The next Vic Barnes highlight the chapter theme. Some are chapter, on the Kodiak bear-cattle U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service & actual experiences while others are war, provides many insights into the U.S. Geological Service (retired) fictional accounts based on known politics of the cattle-bear controversy Email [email protected] biology or behavior. All are entertaining. and how the conflict is linked to

44 International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 Publications Bear Habitat Living in Bear Country Video/DVD Management Guide Online

Dave Telesco Grant MacHutchon Living in Bear Country is presented Black Bear Conservation Committee Safety in Bear Country Society by the Safety in Bear Country Society PO Box 80442 Phone (250) 339-5260 in cooperation with the Interna- Baton Rouge, LA 70898, USA Email [email protected] tional Association for Bear Research Phone (225) 763-5457 and Management and was produced Email [email protected] On behalf of the Safety in Bear by Wild Eye Productions, Atlin, B.C. Country Society, I’d like to thank IBA Living in Bear Country is available The third edition of the Black Bear for its continued cooperation and in VHF or DVD formats from Distri- Management Handbook is now help with the Safety in Bear Country bution Access at: toll-free 1-888-440- available online at the Black Bear video series. 4640, Fax 1-780-440-8899, Conservation Committee’s (BBCC) The Safety in Bear Country Society www.distributionaccess.com, or updated website www.bbcc.org. The is pleased to announce the release of [email protected] Handbook is a resource for private their third program in the Safety in The Safety in Bear Country landowners interested in managing Bear Country video series: Living in Society’s other two programs, Staying their property in a way that benefits Bear Country. Safe in Bear Country and Working in the federally threatened Louisiana Living in Bear Country portrays the Bear Country, also are available in black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus). consensus opinion of leading experts VHF or DVD formats from Distribu- It promotes good land stewardship on living safely in bear country. It tion Access (They are no longer and encourages the use of incentive provides practical advice on ways to distributed by Magic Lantern Com- programs for wildlife habitat restora- minimize problems with bears in the munications). tion and enhancement. The Hand- places that people live. This program For more information, please book also contains the most up-to- shows how making a few simple contact myself (above) or one of the date information on Louisiana black adjustments to our daily routine can other members of the Safety in Bear bear ecology, research, and nuisance reduce property damage and increase Country Society: behavior. Since 1992, the BBCC has human safety. If bears start frequent- John Hechtel distributed over 16,000 copies of the ing places where people live, then it’s Email [email protected] Handbook. The third edition has time for the entire community to & been completely updated with 62 acknowledge the problem and work Stephen Herrero additional pages, including new in- together. By living responsibly in Email [email protected] depth sections on how to avoid bear country both individuals and & nuisance bear behavior, descriptions communities can help prevent Andy McMullen of habitat improvement incentive conflicts with bears; making things Email [email protected] programs for Arkansas, Louisiana, safer for themselves and bears. & Mississippi, and Texas, and many full Phil Timpany color maps and pictures. The Hand- Email [email protected] book can be downloaded from the website or a bound copy can be requested directly from the BBCC.

International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 45 Events First European 42nd North American Zoo and Congress of American Moose Aquarium Assn. Conservation Biology Conference Regionals August 23-27, 2006 June 12-16, 2006 Eastern Regional Meeting Eger, Hungary Baddeck, Nova Scotia March 29–April 1, 2006 Canada Jacksonville Zoo Owen T. Nevin, Secretary Jacksonville, Florida, USA European Section Management Challenges of Society for Conservation Biology Extremes in Population Email [email protected] Density Western Regional Meeting April 25–28, 2006 The European Section of the Nova Scotia Department of Vancouver Aquarium Society for Conservation Biology is Natural Resources is pleased to host Vancouver pleased to announce the First the North American Moose Confer- British Columbia European Congress of Conservation ence and Workshop which will be Canada Biology (ECCB). We are determined held at the Inverary Resort in the to promote the development and use scenic community of Baddeck, Nova of science for the conservation of Scotia. The conference will facilitate Call for Proposals for the European species and ecosystems, the exchange of scientific and 2006 Regional Meetings and to make sure that conservation experimental knowledge among The Regional Program Conference policy is firmly supported by the best moose biologists throughout North Committee invites your proposals. available scientific evidence. For this America and beyond. You can submit your proposals reason, and because of the multi- As conference plans develop, more online at AZA’s website. http:// disciplinary nature of conservation detailed information will be posted www.aza.org/ProposalsRegional/. The biology, we aim to attract a wide at: http://gov.ns.ca/natr/ deadline is December 16, 2005. array of academics, students, policy mooseconference. If you are interested in attending, makers, stakeholders, natural details on each meeting are at AZA’s resource managers, and media and website http://www.aza.org on the NGO representatives from all over Conferences/Meetings page. Europe. We hope to establish a multi-disciplinary network of conservationists across Europe drawing on global expertise in conservation biology. The ECCB will also be hosting a meeting of the Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe enabling you to gain the greatest benefit from your travel budget! Deadline for submission of abstracts is February 2006. For current information, visit the ECCB web page (www.eccb2006.org).

46 International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 Events Ninth Western Black Bear Workshop: Human Dimensions in Black Bear Management

April 19-22, 2006 Please prepare abstracts using Raton, New Mexico, USA Microsoft Word software in Journal of Wildlife Management format (includ- First Call for Papers ing email or telephone at the end of Human Dimensions in Black Bear the contact information). Indicate Management will be one of the whether the abstract is for an oral or workshop sessions in addition to: poster presentation. For oral presen- science and research, population tations, please identify the present- monitoring, and food habits. Ac- ing author by printing “presenter” cepted papers will not be limited to on the abstract at the end of the these topics. We will also have a author’s contact information. panel discussion on bear manage- If you do not have access to ment in human-dominated land- email, submit your abstract on a scapes. floppy disk or CD with a hard copy, Oral Presentations and clearly label your submission You are invited to submit abstracts with the name of the lead author for 20-minute oral presentations (15 and abstract title. Faxes will not be minute presentation and 5 minutes accepted. Authors will be notified for questions). about the selection of their presen- Poster Presentations tation by February 15, 2006. You are invited to submit abstracts The deadline for oral and for poster presentations about poster presentation abstracts is ongoing studies, new technology or January 31, 2006 to: Costs are: methods, management results, etc. New Mexico Dept. of Game and Fish 26$/single bed; Maximum size: 4 x 4 ft. Attn: Rick Winslow 44$/double in Founder’s Cabins State/Province Status Reports PO Box 25112 and Competitor housing; State and province wildlife Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504, USA 14$/bed bunkhouses; biologists and managers are invited Phone (505) 268-6347 18$/night RV space. to submit status reports for American Email [email protected] 150+ rooms (250+ beds) are black bears in their jurisdiction for available; room sharing is encour- publication in the proceedings Workshop aged. This is not a hotel, bring your (please send a report even if you are Registration own towels and soap! Raton (15 not able attend the workshop). Registration is US$120 (US$65 minute drive) also has ample lodging. Emphasis should be placed on new students) and attendees are respon- Meals research results, management sible for lodging and meals. To be arranged on site. Dinners milestones, and information gath- Lodging and Facility Information provided chuckwagon style as part of ered since the 2003 workshop. The workshop is at: the registration fee. Raton (15- Abstracts Deadline January 31, 2006 National Rifle Association minute drive) has many restaurants. Abstracts submitted will be Whittington Center Travel printed in the conference booklet, Raton, New Mexico, USA The nearest large airports are which will be part of the confer- Reservations will be accepted Albuquerque International and ence registration packet. We beginning February 1, 2006. Denver International. Colorado encourage oral presentations to be Contact: Springs, a smaller airport, is closer. submitted as full manuscripts for Wayne Armacost There will be shuttle service from the publication in the proceedings. NRA Whittington Center Albuquerque airport. Poster presentations will be limited phone (505) 445-3615 More Information to abstract publication. The abstract Websitewww.nrawc.org. A workshop website is being submission deadline for oral and developed. Contact Rick Winslow poster sessions is January 31, 2006. phone (505) 268-6347 or email [email protected].

International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 47 Events 17th International Conference on Bear Research and Management October 2-6, 2006 Karuizawa Town, Nagano, Japan Toshiki Aoi Conference Venue Conference Program Planning Committee Chair Karuizawa is a popular resort town The conference will begin on Faculty of Agriculture located in the central part of Japan. Monday morning October 2nd and Iwate University Half of the town is within the will end Friday afternoon October 3-18-8 Ueda, Morioka-city Jyoshin-etsu Plateau National Park 6th. The tentative schedule is: Iwate 020-8550, Japan which has 2000 m mountains, Phone & Fax +81 19 621 6136 several volcanoes, and many hot Sunday October 1 Email [email protected] springs. A rich natural environment Registration & in the park includes healthy popula- IBA Council Meeting Koji Yamazaki tions of large mammals, such as Ice Breaker Planning Committee Secretary General Japanese black bears (Ursus Zoological Laboratory thibetanus), wild boars (Sus scrofa), Monday October 2 Ibaraki Nature Museum sika deer (Cervus nippon), Japanese Registration 700 Osaki, Bando-city serows (Capricornis crispus), and Welcome Ibaraki 306-0622, Japan Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata). Opening remarks Phone +81 297 38 2000 Since the 1990s, bear-human Oral session 1, 2 Fax +81 297 38 1999 conflicts have become a major Special Workshop: Email [email protected] concern in Karuizawa. Food-condi- Status and Conservation tioned bears repeatedly visit garbage of Asian bears The 17th IBA conference will be stations in residential areas. In 1998, Public Event: the first IBA conference held in Asia. efforts to manage garbage bears were History of Human-bear The planning committee has been begun by a private institute, estab- Interaction in Japan coordinating with government lished by a resort company. agencies, NGOs, and local organiza- The conference site, Hotel Bleston Tuesday October 3 tions to arrange a successful meeting. Court of Hoshino Resort, has sophis- Oral session 3, 4, 5 We hope that the conference will ticated facilities. There are many IBA Council Meeting inspire more research and effective lodging facilities nearby. Leisure Poster session management plans for bears in Asia. activities available in the area Student Session (with dinner) include hiking and bicycle trails, Websites and Updates tennis courts, golf courses, shopping Wednesday October 4 More information for the confer- malls, art museums, and historic Field Trip ence will be announced in upcoming sites. Public Event: issues of this newsletter and on our Using the super-express rail from Education Program About Bears conference website http:// Narita international Airport, it takes for Japanese Students www.japanbear.org/iba/. about 2.5 hours to reach Karuizawa. Banquet For more details on Karuizawa town, visit http:// Thursday October 5 www.town.karuizawa.nagano.jp/ Oral session 6, 7 html/English/index.html. Workshops A, B

Friday October 6 Oral session 8, 9 Closing paper for Asian bears Awards ceremony Closing remarks

48 International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 Events

Call for Papers and Posters The conference will cover all aspects of bear biology and conservation. Topics covering biology, conservation, culture, and conflicts with humans of the six bear species distributed in Asian countries (polar, brown, Asian black, sloth, sun, giant panda) are especially encouraged.

Presentation Types In addition to invited presentations, three types of presentations are open for submissions: oral, poster A, and poster B. (1) Invited presentations (20 minutes and five minutes for questions) (2) Oral presentations (15 minutes and five minutes for questions) intended for publication in Ursus. (3) Poster presentation A: intended for publication in Ursus. (4) Poster presentation B: not intended for publication in Ursus. The program committee will select presentations and determine if they are oral or poster.

Abstract Deadline March 31, 2006 Abstracts for oral and poster presentations can be submitted from October 10, 2005 until March 31, 2006 via the conference Ursus website: http://www.japanbear.org/ Submission of a full manuscript to Authors submitting manuscripts iba/. The deadline for all abstracts Ursus (the peer-reviewed journal of to Ursus are reminded that page is March 31, 2006. Any questions the International Association for charges ($90US/printed page) are on presentations should be sent to Bear Research and Management) is their responsibility, and are encour- the program committee email encouraged and will be taken into aged to budget accordingly. A good [email protected]. account in selecting presentation rule of thumb is that 2.5 pages of types. Consult the journal website double-spaced manuscript text (www.ursusjournal.com) for In- equals one page of final printed text. structions to Authors and other information. continued...

International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 49 Events 17th International Conference on Bear Research and Management October 2-6, 2006 Karuizawa Town, Nagano, Japan, cont’d. Schedule Workshops and Meetings by December 31 Six workshops are planned during the conference. Two workshops have been scheduled: 1. Conflicts Between Humans and Bears, 2. Trade of Bears and Bear Parts. We invite suggestions for the remaining four workshops. Please contact the program committee ([email protected]) to schedule workshops and meetings. Requests should include an abstract, outline, and expected size of the workshop or meeting. Deadline for requests is December 31, 2005.

Tentative Proposal: Conflicts Between Humans and Bears Workshop In Japan, there are many human- bear conflicts every year and many bears are being killed as a result. These conflicts occur because human residential areas share borders with bear habitats, and there Conference Fees is no system for managing human- bear conflicts. This situation seems Early Standard to be unique to Japan. In this Registration Registration workshop, we hope that participants (on or before (on or after March 31, 2006) April 1, 2005) share their views about the situation Regular JP/19,000 JP/24,000 in Japan, discuss similarities and Student JP/10,000 JP/15,000 dissimilarities in other countries, and Banquet JP/5,000 develop solutions for the problem. US$1=~JP/110 (as of October 2005) Post Conference Excursions Fees will automatically change at 00:01, April 1, 2006 Japan Standard After the conference, we will offer Time (GMT+9). a choice of several enjoyable, Field trip, post conference excursion, and accommodation fees are not reasonably priced excursions. Some included. trips will visit bear habitat guided by Students must provide evidence of university registration at the on-site Japanese researchers. Please plan registration desk. your schedule for the conference The deadline for application through this site is 12:00 noon, September now! We look forward to seeing you 20, 2006 Japan Standard Time (GMT+9). After that only on-site registra- in Japan! tion is possible. Banquet, field trip and/or post conference excursion application will not be accepted after September 21, 2006.

50 International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 Events 18th International Conference on Bear Research and Management Fall 2007 Monterrey, Mexico

Diana Doan-Crider direct flights from major cities. The Monterrey’s two distinguished King Ranch Inst. for Ranch Management Monterrey Office of Conventions universities are assisting so student MSC 137 and Visitors (OCV) has coordinated participation should be high. Direct Texas A&M University-Kingsville UN meetings at the CINTERMEX communication with the Mexican Kingsville, TX 78363-8202, USA Conference Facility, and will help Consulate will ensure smooth travel Phone (361) 593-5407 organize the IBA conference at the for non-North Americans. Canadian Fax (361) 593-5404 same venue (www.cintermex.com.mx/ and USA visitors need a Tourist Visa Email [email protected] and www.parquefundidora.org/) on entry which requires a passport or & including translation services birth-certificate (2004 regulations). David G. Hewitt (Spanish, Russian, Japanese, et al.), Nearby are the historic downtown, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Inst. field trips, travel permits, and natural, and scenic areas. Field trips MSC 218 logistics. Five-star lodging (US$80/ will include Chipinque, Sierra los Texas A&M University-Kingsville night/2004) is connected to the 350- Picachos, and Cumbres National Kingsville, TX 78363-8202, USA acre enclosed site, which includes an Parks (American black bear study Phone (361) 593-3963 eco-park, museums, banks, restau- areas), Garcia Caves, Horsetail Falls Fax (361) 593-3924 rants, family areas and an immacu- and Mina Archeological Area. Nature Email [email protected] late, newly renovated international watching includes red-fronted & hostel (225 beds, US$6/night/2004). parrots, migratory songbirds and Rodrigo Medellin L. Cheaper hotels (US$30-45/night) are monarch butterflies. The OCV will Centro de Ecologia within a five-minute metro-ride. also coordinate discount travel for Universidad Autonoma de Mexico Corporate sponsorship should those wishing to visit more of Apartado Postal 70-275 support conference meals, field trips, Mexico. 04510 Mexico, DF, Mexico and special events, keeping registra- Email tion costs at a minimum. The OCV is [email protected] funding organization and printing. Phone +52-5-5622-9042 Fax +52-5-5622-8995

Monterrey, Mexico’s third largest city (two hours south of the USA), is beautifully situated in the Tamaulipan thornscrub/Chihuahuan desert at 800 masl next to the Sierra Madre Oriental Mountains which rise dramatically 2,000 m to pine/oak forests. Autumn promises bear activity and pleasant weather. Nearby increasing bear-human conflicts make interest in bears high. Bear research and management has state and federal attention, but there is no active conservation strategy. This conference will focus attention on bear conservation at a critical point, and will encourage biologists to seek bear research and management training. Monterrey is very progressive, and conference facilities are ideal. An international airport has 250 daily

International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 51 IBA Officers & Council

Harry Reynolds, President* Andrew Derocher* Michael R. Vaughan^ PO Box 80843 Department of Biological Science Virginia Cooperative Fairbanks, AK 99708, USA University of Alberta Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Phone (907) 479-5169 Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E9, Canada 148 Cheatham Hall, Virginia Tech Email [email protected] Phone (780) 492-5570 Blacksburg, VA 24061-0321, USA Fax (780) 492-9234 Phone (540) 231-5046 Piero Genovesi Email [email protected] Fax (540) 231-7580 Vice President for Eurasia^ Email [email protected] INFS-National Wildlife Institute Isaac Goldstein^ Via Ca’ Fornacetta 9 Wildlife Conservation Society Koji Yamazaki* I-40064 Ozzano Emilia BO, Italy PO Box 833 Zoological Laboratory Phone +39 051 6512228 IPOSTEL Merida Ibaraki Nature Museum Fax +39 051 796628 Estado Merida, Venezuela 700 Osaki Email [email protected] Phone 58-414-7176792 Iwai-city, Ibaraki 306-0622, Japan Email [email protected] Phone +81 297 38 2000 Karen Noyce Fax +81 297 38 1999 Vice President for Americas* John Hechtel* Email [email protected] Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources Alaska Department of Fish and Game 1201 East Highway 2 1800 Glenn Highway, Suite 4 Teresa DeLorenzo (non-voting) Grand Rapids, MN 55744, USA Palmer, AK 99645, USA International Bear News Editor Phone (218) 327-4432 Phone (907) 746-6331 10907 N.W. Copeland St. Fax (218) 327-4181 Fax (907) 746-6305 Portland, OR 97229, USA Email [email protected] Email [email protected] Phone (503) 643-4008 Fax (503) 643-4072 Joseph Clark, Secretary* Djuro Huber^ Email [email protected] U.S. Geological Survey University of Zagreb Southern Appalachian Field Laboratory Biology Department, Veterinary Faculty Diana Doan-Crider (non-voting) University of Tennessee Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb IBA Student Affairs Coordinator 274 Ellington Hall Republic of Croatia King Ranch Institute Knoxville, TN 37996, USA Phone 385 1 2390 141 for Ranch Management Phone (865) 974-4790 Fax 385 1 244 1390 MSC 137 Fax (865) 974-3555 Email [email protected] Texas A&M University-Kingsville Email [email protected] Kingsville, TX 78363-8202, USA Ole Jakob Sørensen* Phone (361) 593-5407 Frank van Manen, Treasurer* Nord-trondelag University College (361) 593-5401 KRIRM Office U.S. Geological Survey Faculty of Social Sciences and Fax (361) 593-5404 Southern Appalachian Field Laboratory Natural Resources Email [email protected] University of Tennessee Box 2501 274 Ellington Hall N-7729 Steinkjer, Norway Richard B. Harris (non-voting) Knoxville, TN 37996, USA Phone +4774112052 Ursus Editor Phone (865) 974-0200 Fax +4774112101 218 Evans Fax (865) 974-3555 Email [email protected] Missoula, MT 59801, USA Email [email protected] Phone & Fax (406) 542-6399 Email [email protected]

^term expires 2008 *term expires 2007

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54 International Bear News November 2005 vol. 14, no. 4 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 $45.00 12th 2001 Ursus 12 $45.00 13th 2002 Ursus 13 $45.00 14th 2003 Ursus 14 Volumes 1 & 2 $45.00 15th 2004 Ursus 15 Volumes 1 & 2 $45.00 16th 2005 Ursus 16 inc.w/ Std. Membership $45.00 *40% discount for 3 or more volumes, except Ursus 13, 14, 15 & 16. Less 40% Discount (-$) Eastern Black Bear Workshop Proceedings, USA 10th 1991 Arkansas 1990 $15.00 11th 1992 New Hampshire 1992 $15.00 13th 1996 Vermont 1996 $15.00 14th 1997 Mississippi 1997 $15.00 15th 2002 Massachusetts 1999 $15.00 16th 2001 South Carolina 2001 $15.00 Western Black Bear Workshop Proceedings, USA 4th 1993 California 1991 $15.00 5th 1995 Utah $15.00 6th 2003 Washington 1997 $15.00 7th 2001 Oregon 2000 $15.00 Safety in Bear Country Videos 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

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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 (USA tax # 94-3102570) organization open to professional biologists, wildlife managers and others dedicated to the conservation of all bear species. The organization has over 550 members from over 50 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 journal Ursus. 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. 9. Encourage full international participation in the IBA through the siting of conferences, active recruitment of international members and officers, and through financial support for international research, travel to meetings, member ships, and journal subscriptions. 10. Through its integrated relationship with the Bear Specialist Group of the World Conservation Union (IUCN)/Species Survival Commission, identify priorities in bear research and management and recruit project proposals to the IBA Grants Program that address these priorities. 11. Build an endowment and a future funding base to provide ongoing support for IBA core functions and for the IBA Grants Program. 12. Support innovative solutions to bear conservation dilemmas that involve local communities as well as national or regional governments and, to the extent possible, address their needs without compromising bear conservation, recognizing that conservation is most successful where human communities are stable and can see the benefits of conservation efforts. 13. Form partnerships with other institutions to achieve conservation goals, where partnerships could provide additional funding, knowledge of geographical areas, or expertise in scientific or non-scientific sectors.

Deadline for the February 2006 issue is January 15, 2006 printed with soy-based ink on Vanguard Recycled Plus chlorine-free, acid-free, 10% hemp or flax, 90% post-consumer waste paper