International Bear News Quarterly Newsletter of the International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) and the IUCN/SSC Bear Specialist Group February 2004 vol. 13, no. 1

In memory of Vitaly Nikolaenko: his photograph of the Kamchatka brown bear he named Dobrynya (see pages 5, 6-7).

IBA website: www.bearbiology.org/www.bearbiology.com Table of Contents Council News 3 From the President 5 IBA Grants Program, Newsletter 6 In Memory: Vitaly Nikolaenko Eurasia 8 “Even” and “Uneven” Families in Yar Population of Brown Bear 9 Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) Reproductive Success in Yakutia 10 China: Asiatic Black Bear 11 Sloth Bear Project in Sri Lanka 13 Sri Lanka Sloth Bear Expert Team Report Americas 14 Alaska: Tetracycline Biomarking Project on Kuiu Island, Southeast Alaska 15 Bear Habituation Conference 16 Whistler Bear Group Bans Rubber Slugs 17 Rubber Slug Use in Prudhoe Oilfield 18 Nature Conservancy of Canada and Tembec to Conserve Elk Valley North Cascades Grizzly Sighting Confirmed 19 North Cascades Ecosystem Residents Respond to Grizzly Bear Survey 20 Ontario Takes Action on Nuisance Bears Wyoming 2004 Memorial Bear Fund Grants New Jersey Bear Hunt 21 Southwest USA: New Mexico — Hunt Changes, Research, 9th Western Black Bear Workshop Southeast USA: Florida 22 Southeast USA: Joint Undercover Operation Links International Black Market to Virginia Student Forum 23 Student List Serve (Truman), Why Am I Doing This? Opportunity 24 Volunteers Needed for Grizzly and American Black Bear Habitat Research Bears in Culture 25 Hunting for Common Ground Communications 27 RISKMAN Population Model Freeware Educational Posters for Grizzly and American Black Bear Panda Cub on Web International Studbook for the Andean Bear (Tremarctos ornatus) 2000-2002 Events 28 Columbia Mountains Institute 2004 Spring Events 29 Carnivores 2004, AZA Eastern and Western Regional Workshops, Bayou Teche Bear Festival 30 16th Int’l IBA Conference, 9th Western Black Bear and 18th Eastern Black Bear Workshops IBA 31 IBA Officers and Council 32 Bear Specialist Group: About BSG, Expert Team Members 33 IBA Membership Application 35 IBA Publications Order Form Back About IBA & Mission Statement 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. Back issues are available at www.bearbiology.com. Editorial Policy International Bear News welcomes articles about biology, conservation and management of the world’s eight bear species. Submissions of 750-1500 words are preferred, and photos, drawings and charts are appreciated. Submissions to [email protected] are pre- ferred, otherwise mail or fax to the address above. IBA reserves the right to accept, reject and edit submissions. Deadline for the May 2004 issue is April 15, 2004. 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 33 to order or renew memberships, make donations, and update member information. 2 International Bear News February 2004 vol. 13, no. 1 Council News From the President

Harry Reynolds Challenge Grant Success Conservation Fund to provide a Alaska Department of Fish and Game Donations from IBA members and vehicle for individual donors, 1300 College Road others interested in bears more than corporations, and foundations to use Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA matched the $10,000 challenge grant IBA’s expertise and commitment and Phone (907) 459-7238 that an anonymous donor made to make a positive contribution to bear Fax (907) 451-9723 benefit the 2004 IBA Grants Pro- conservation. This can be done in Email gram. Very sincere thanks go to the two ways: for the short term, one-to- [email protected] individuals and organizations that four years, donors can make contri- made this possible; especially to the butions that are immediately dis- The votes for the IBA election will anonymous donor who provided the bursed to projects that pass scientific have been counted by the time this stimulus. and conservation need criteria. For newsletter arrives. Regardless of the Including funds from the challenge the longer term, 10-20+ years, election’s outcome, there is no doubt grant, and those provided by the John contributions can be made to an IBA that members and bear conservation Sheldon Bevins Memorial Foundation fund from which income and capital will be well served by the new IBA and other donors, at least $35,000 is can be disbursed annually to the Council. Please renew your efforts to available to benefit global bear Grants Program for support of global be involved. Contact members of conservation projects. This is the programs. The Bevins Foundation Council and ask them to address second year in which a matching has been exceptional in its use of the concerns or problems you have to challenge has helped fund the IBA latter model. A group committed to make bear conservation or IBA more Grants Program, resulting in an making a substantial contribution by effective. Look to the future. An increase of almost 70% over the this approach has come forward and organization is made successful by the previous three years. It is especially would welcome additional donations active involvement of its members. important because this was at a time to make it a truly effective force for when financial markets were low, and bear conservation. Accomplishments disbursal of funds from the Bevins Many entities are not aware of and Challenges Foundation were correspondingly low. IBA’s existence or our science-based At the end of my term, it seems approach. Neither are they aware natural to assess whether IBA has Bear Conservation Fund that funds we raise go directly to continued to evolve in achieving our IBA members are experts and bear conservation, education, and mission, to evaluate what we’ve done leaders in bear conservation across scientific interchange — unlike many right during the last three years, and the globe. But knowing the critical other organizations, we are volun- to identify how we can improve. issues is not enough. We need to teers and nothing we raise goes to We have made substantial stem the downward spiral faced by compensate officers or pay for their progress. It has truly been rewarding at-risk bear populations. We need to expenses. (Expenses can be allowed to work with those on the IBA turn around conservation problems under exceptional circumstances, but Council. This is truly a very dedi- faced in many regions of the globe. then only for limited amounts with cated, talented and engaged group. Knowledge is crucial, but useless strict accountability.) They are not afraid to address tough without the funding to achieve The EDC prepared a proposal to issues and to make decisions based actions that are clearly necessary. I fund 33 priority projects contributed on what is best for bear conserva- feel strongly that the steps taken to by the IUCN Bear Specialist Group’s tion. We all owe them our thanks for tackle this dilemma give the Bear Expert Teams (see page 32). The their commitment. Critical review Conservation Fund initiative the amount necessary to fund these 33 and debate on matters of principle is greatest potential to affect global cornerstone programs totals $1.5 fundamental to a healthy and bear conservation of any IBA action million for the initial three-year effective organization. By that of the last three years. effort. The proposal would fund measure, we must be very healthy IBA’s Economic Development projects in Asia for sun bears, sloth because we have had some spirited Committee (EDC), led by Karen bears, and Asiatic black bears where debates! We can do better, but to Noyce and including Bruce McLellan, population presence and status, and make improvements, your continued Bernie Peyton, Jiska van Dijk, me critical information needed for input is important and necessary. and others, established the Bear focusing conservation efforts, are

International Bear News February 2004 vol. 13, no. 1 3 Council News From the President, cont’d.

often not known throughout these important polar bear treaty and better serve bear conservation. bears’ ranges. Other projects identi- provided written testimony that International Bear News provides an fied include holding scientific strenuously objected to the Bush excellent means to widely distribute training workshops in the five administration’s ruling to rescind a matters of common concern, but some countries with Andean bears, decision to reintroduce brown bears members have suggested that a list developing programs to reduce to Montana and Idaho. We provided serve might facilitate loans or dona- orphaning of brown bear cubs in science-based alternatives to the tion of needed equipment or solutions Europe, scientifically identifying governments of Slovenia and for specific problems that cannot wait factors that resulted in extirpation of Bulgaria concerning ill-advised for the quarterly newsletter. For issues bears in southern European Russia to proposed changes in estimates of of interest to all members, email enhance population recovery/ sustainable yield of brown bears and distribution is very useful as long as reintroduction efforts, and identify- in management approach. We urged member addresses are kept current. ing more effective measures for the U.S. Congress to rely on state We need better representation reducing international trade in bear management of hunting practices from bear conservationists from all parts. regarding baiting for American black regions occupied by bears. Perhaps The initiative to establish the Bear bears, and we urged the British this requires a change in the IBA Conservation Fund is presented in a Columbia provincial government of bylaws, but there are other obstacles prospectus available from Karen Canada to augment an at-risk that need to be overcome as well. For Noyce (contact information on page isolated brown bear population and those individuals working in regions 31) or any member of the Economic increase its habitat protection. where the cost of IBA membership is Development Committee. The IBA is far too expensive, a better system of currently presenting this prospectus to Ursus providing complimentary member- corporations, foundations and major Our professional journal has ships to individuals, groups, or donors. If you know of a donor who grown and has been published on an conservation institutions must be could be an effective partner in this annual basis since 2001, primarily devised. Let Council know where effort, please contact me. due to the efforts and constant Ursus and International Bear News prodding of our outstanding editor, need to be distributed. Student Forum Rich Harris. In 2003, Rich made Despite the excellence of our A Student Forum that maintains a publishing and printing arrange- conferences and our system of list serve to discuss common con- ments with Allen Press, which serves providing travel grants, we should be cerns and questions of students a number of other professional able to make helpful improvements studying bears was established under journals, including Journal of Mam- to the conference guidelines. Both the leadership of Diana Doan-Crider malogy and Journal of Wildlife the Steinkjer and San Diego confer- (see page 23). It is supported by an Diseases. We now enjoy biannual ences have raised substantial funding international cast of very active issues containing the latest scientific to support international attendance, students who are exploring ways to papers on bear conservation. but we can still benefit from an serve IBA and make it a stronger improved protocol that serves both organization. A student gathering How IBA Can Improve diversity at the conference and the was initiated at the 14th conference This topic would best be served by needs of those who attend. in Norway, a practice that will each member writing his or her own continue in San Diego and into the list of five suggestions and providing All in All future. it to me or to a Council member All in all, the last three years have (contact information on page 31). been good. It’s been very busy but Conservation Advice I’ve heard from some of you, and rewarding to get to know more of to Governments appreciate being reminded if you you and have the opportunity to We’ve provided testimony to don’t hear back. Lacking such a list work with an outstanding group of governments to provide guidance or from members, I’ll provide one that dedicated bear conservationists. voiced scientific concern about is short but substantial in breadth. Thanks. If you come through pending management decisions. We We need to further improve Fairbanks, and I’m here, call me and urged the U.S. Senate to adopt an communication among members to I’ll show you around.

4 International Bear News February 2004 vol. 13, no. 1 Council News Grants Program Status Report

In Memory: Frederick C. Dean, Chair Vitaly Nikolaenko IBA Grants Program Committee 810 Ballaine Road Fairbanks, AK 99709, USA Email [email protected]

The Grants Program Committee received 28 proposals for the 2003- 2004 review cycle. The projects involve seven species of bears in at least 16 countries. The proposed work includes: basic status and distribution surveys, genetic mapping of populations, studies of the influence of human activity on bear populations and activity, habitat relationships and use, socio- cultural aspects of conservation, behavior, preparing orphaned cubs for release, and assessment of trade in bear parts. The total requested from IBA exceeded $149,000. The committee © Vladimir Zykov has not received final word about Vitaly Nikolaenko the sum available for grants. Grant Request Deadline I first met Vitaly Nikolaenko at the 10th international IBA conference in December 31, 2004 Fairbanks. He was a compact man with lots of energy and a desire to share his Start planning your grant love of bears in photographic and video form. Vitaly was dedicated to bears requests to fund projects in 2005. and to living amongst them in one of the world’s most spectacular bear • Proposals must be received no sanctuaries in Kamchatka, Russia. He was killed by a bear in the Kronotsky later than December 31, 2004. Reserve on December 26, 2003. IBA extends our sympathy to his loved ones • Follow the guidelines on the IBA for their loss (see pages 6-7). website www.bearbiology.com. • If you have questions, please contact me at the address above.

Newsletter Teresa DeLorenzo, Editor Back Issues A reminder that back issues of the newsletter are available on the IBA website www.bearbiology.com. News from China Welcome to new correspondent Matthew Durnin who will be provid- ing news about bears in China. See his first column on page 10.

International Bear News February 2004 vol. 13, no. 1 5 Council News In Memory: Vitaly Nikolaenko

Life Devoted to Brown Bears more than 10 years ago that his time this project, annually creating new By Igor Revenko was fast running out. He wondered if methods for investigating bear Former Kamchatka Brown Bear Biologist in ten more years he would be able behavior in Kronotsky Reserve. Vitaly to go out in the field and spend as studied bears by spending hundreds of Famous Russian bear researcher and much time with bears as he wanted. hours with them chronicling their photographer Vitaly Nikolaenko was Did he know? He had many plans for lives. For 10 years he studied a domi- killed by a brown bear on December future studies. He did not know if it nant male bear he named Karnaykhy 26, 2003. He was 66 years old. The would be a bear that would stop him (“bear with one broken ear”). Vitaly Kronotsky State Reserve staff bear from accomplishing his goals. wrote, “This bear made me a photogra- biologist was found mauled less than a Vitaly has left his lovely family, pher.” Many pictures of Karnaykhy, mile from one of his research cabins. his friends and his enemies. He has standing with a background of geysers, Tracks in the snow indicated that he left this world. But the memory of helped Vitaly develop a worldwide followed the bear into the bush and that strange and outstanding bear reputation. During 18 field seasons came within 10 feet of it when it man will be with us — living and Vitaly observed another huge male he charged. Traces of pepper spray on the loving bears and nature. named Dobrynya (Kind Bear). He even snow indicated the spray did not work accompanied this male to his den. at such close quarters or perhaps with Most periods of the year Vitaly and such a furious attack. His 33rd Field Season Dobrynya lived in the same area and Vitaly’s personality was written on By Vladimir Mosolov closely studied each other. Dobrynya that Kamchatka snow. His passion Kronotsky State Reserve probably died in 2002. toward bears developed over 30 years & Near two small, shallow lakes on a of unprecedented work in the last Tatiana Gordienko Tikhaya River tributary, Vitaly hidden Eden of the Kamchatka Kamchatka Natural Resources and Nikolaenko built one of his cabins, peninsula. For the last 20 years, he Environmental Protection Department located 300 meters from the first lake, on spent six-to-seven-months a year in the shore of Orlany Creek. The lakes the field observing the most intimate Vitaly Nikolaenko died during his provide late-fall spawning silver salmon moments of bear life. Walking up to 33rd field season and winter wildlife and large brown bear males always fish 700 miles along bear trails each year, survey in the remote, pristine the lakes, sometimes until the middle of he kept notes about everything he saw Kronotsky State Reserve, Russia. January. The best hibernation sites are or heard. He took thousands of photos Vitaly arrived on the Kamchatka also nearby. and hundreds of hours of video peninsula in 1965, and since 1969 had Vitaly’s records report that a big male footage of bears and their habitat. His worked in Kronotsky Reserve as a brown bear arrived at this fishing spot in annual field reports to Kronotsky forest ranger and tourist guide in the mid-November. Vitaly called him Reserve were like an annual volume of Valley of the Geysers. Established in Jeltoshey (Yellow Neck). This male was a wildlife encyclopedia he had been 1934, Kronotsky State Reserve pres- alone, fishing in the lake and resting in writing for many years. His photo- ently covers 1,142,000 hectares. It was the nearby alder brush. Vitaly had graphic close-ups of bears were the first designated a UNESCO Biosphere several encounters with this bear. pictures to dispel the myth that the Reserve in 1984 for its biological and Beginning December 14, Vitaly began to brown bear is Ursus horribilus (see cover volcanic significance. carry a shotgun, because the male photo). Vitaly devoted his life to Vitaly had no formal biological attacked him twice while Vitaly was shorten the distance between brown education, but he constantly pursued trying to approach. Once, to save his life, bears and humans. self-education. By persistently observ- Vitaly threw his backpack at the bear. This time he came too close. He ing and filming, he became a world- On December 22, Vitaly saw the bear always tested life by either fighting renowned photographer and specialist resting on the snow. When he was about with officials, spooking poachers, on brown bear ecology. Vitaly was 25 meters from the bear, it stood up and standing his ground to strengthen rewarded for his hard work in 1991 by looked directly at Vitaly. His field notes bear hunting rules, arguing with being formally recognized as a scien- report that Vitaly slowly went around official science or by bothering bears. tist. He then initiated The Brown Bear the bear, and the bear displayed aggres- He knew an attack could happen any Behavior Study Using Photography and sive behavior, seeming to indicate a high time. I remember him telling me Video Records. He worked 12 years on level of stress. Vitaly wrote in his field

6 International Bear News February 2004 vol. 13, no. 1 Council News

diary: “I followed his track. Each time this case was that the bear gave many him. For some reason, Vitaly was very the male displayed strong and loud jaw warnings that he was dangerous. tenacious. His records tell us that the popping and lunged at me. He is vicious Vitaly had been waiting many days for bear was uncomfortable. Everything and dangerous. I could shoot him to a helicopter to take him home to looks as if Vitaly lost his good sense and defend my life, using pepper spray first celebrate the New Year with his wife, believed that nothing bad could happen in the case of attack, and by shotgun if and perhaps he was bored and to him, even though he said in his notes pepper spray was not effective.” This impatient. Perhaps he was looking for that he knew the bear was dangerous. statement indicates that Vitaly knew he a substitute for his wonderful friend, In his last interview with a local was creating a stressful situation for the Dobrynya, who many people world- newspaper Vitaly said, “A Lord still bear. wide knew from Vitaly’s photographs. protects me.” And, “Nobody is able to Vitaly followed this bear for several Two years before, he had celebrated predict his future. When you are with days in December. (There is much the New Year with Dobrynya by a bear you are in his home range area. documentation that he followed other making a video of himself toasting his Man is the invader. When you get bears in previous years as well.) On friend near his winter den. close to him you are coming to him December 26, Vitaly’s tracks clearly We can only guess what happened and perhaps he gets aggressive. Why? showed that he was following the bear. next, but what we do know is that the A bear fears man. This fear is another By this time, there were only 30-40 bear seemed to act defensively. Perhaps side of aggression. A bear has two salmon in the nearby lake. the pepper spray gave Vitaly a false alternatives — either to run away or to The snow was nearly one meter deep sense of security. Vitaly trod in the charge you. Most often the bear runs and friable, making it quite difficult for bear’s deep footprints and had to bend away. Bears prefer to avoid each other. the bear to move through it, especially in under alder branches while struggling If they choose to fight they destroy the thick alder brush. The bear was in deep snow without skis. The bear each other. All bears, including sinking almost to the ground, plowing a could hear Vitaly’s approach. In the dominant ones, avoid humans.” From deep channel with his body. Vitaly was thick bush maybe Vitaly’s attention his vast experience, Vitaly strongly using wide hunter skis. While he was briefly distracted when the bear suggested that if a bear charges, you followed the bear, the animal displayed made his rush from only four steps should run away, because, “A bear aggressive behavior twice, lunging at away, because the bear jumped at does not see man as his victim, so Vitaly in three big jumps in the deep Vitaly in a very fast defensive attack. there is no reason for a bear to chase a snow. In each case, Vitaly took steps Perhaps Vitaly was able to spray him, man.” Vitaly believed that only the backward while continuing to observe or perhaps the spray missed the bear. It human was responsible or guilty in photograph the bear from a distance of would only be effective if it hit the any human-bear accident. A generous 30-40 m. Then the bear must have bear in the face. Whatever happened, a way to look at what happened is to disappeared in the bush. Vitaly had the swath of orange pepper spray on the understand that Vitaly most likely had option to move into open terrain, but he snow indicated Vitaly tried to defend more experience living in the wild decided to follow the bear tracks into the himself. The flare gun was lying near with bears than anyone in the world. thick alders. Vitaly had to remove his the body, unfired. His camera was Perhaps Vitaly simply ran out of luck. skis and backpack to allow him free found broken and bloody nearby. After If he were able to tell us, he would movement among the stiff alder killing Vitaly, the bear immediately ran probably admit he made a mistake. branches to get very close to the bear, away and did not return. He didn’t eat During his years of studying bears, which had now bedded down in a deep any human remains, but he did strike Vitaly collected unique scientific depression in the snow. Vitaly seemed to Vitaly’s chest and head. The bear’s research-based data on brown bear take precautions in case the bear charged tracks indicated that he ran directly to biology and ecology, especially on him — his small camera was found set the mountains without stopping, dominant males. Bear managers and on automatic and it was probably in his where he is probably hibernating. wildlife biologists need to analyze and left hand, pepper spray in the right There are many unanswered ques- study Vitaly’s legacy. He had a bright hand. He also took a flare gun with him. tions, but primarily, why did Vitaly do long life among bears, and many of his Over a period of 30 years, thousands what he did. This male bear gave Vitaly friends will remember him as a person of photographs show that Vitaly had many warnings that he was agitated and who devoted his life to protect the gone into alder bush to get this type of was at a dangerous stage of fear and Kamchatka brown bear — the amazing bear photograph. The difference in stress — jaw popping and lunging at predator (see cover and page 5).

International Bear News February 2004 vol. 13, no. 1 7 Eurasia “Even” and “Uneven” Families in Yar Population of Brown Bear

Stanislav Puchkovskiy It is accepted that female bears Udmurtia State University usually breed every two years in the Geography Faculty south taiga (Puchkovskiy, 1993). Universitetskaya, 1, Izhevsk, 426034 According to our data, one family Russia averages 1.60 newborn cubs or 1.72 Phone 7 (3412) 52-64-00 yearlings. Certainly the number of Fax 7 (3412) 75-58-66 cubs must exceed the yearling Email [email protected] number to account for mortality. The data may be explained by the smaller The brown bear (Ursus arctos) home ranges of bear families with population in the Yar district, at the cubs, the smaller activity radius of Arrow shows Yar district study area. headwaters of the Viatka River, bear cubs, and females’ with cubs is not clear to me why there is such a Udmurtia Republic, Russia (see map), avoidance of places visited by adult difference between “even” and was studied for ten years (1985- males. As a result, newborn cubs are “uneven” family sizes. 1994). The study area is 178 km2, counted less often (25 families and One possibility is that the field including 120 km2 of woodland 40 cubs) than yearlings (32 families research methods employed are limited. (south taiga with vast logged areas and 55 cubs). I don’t know if there are published and young forests). Udmurtia State On average 5.7 adult females from results that could be compared with our University students worked with me bear families and 5.5 adult males results. Does anyone have or know of at the Yar forest such data? station. Field The number and composition of brown bear family This study was methods included groups on Yar station. originally published in: walking designated Families Puchkovsky, S.V. routes (79.15 km per Year "Even" "Uneven" “Even” and “uneven” round), mapping, # families/ # families/ # families/ # families/ families in Yar popula- # cubs # yearlings # cubs # yearlings tracking, measuring tion of brown bear Ursus 1985 4/8 1/1 footprints and 1986 3/7 2/3 arctos (Carnivora, describing bear trees 1987 4/6 2/2 Ursidae). Theriofauna (Puchkovskiy, 1988 3/8 3/5 state in Russia and Borisov, 2001). Every 1989 4/7 3/5 nearby foreign countries. year at least three 1990 2/3 3/6 Proc. International conf. censuses were 1991 4/7 2/2 1-3 February 1995, 1992 3/3 1/1 conducted in May, Moscow. M. 1993 4/6 2/3 June and July. 1994 4/6 3/6 Theriological Society of Census work in RAS, 1996. P. 286-288. other months from Total 15/27 20/34 10/13 12/21 April to October was Literature cited less regular. The bear Mean 3.0/1.80 4.0/1.70 2.0/1.30 2.4/1.75 Puchkovskiy S.V. family groups were Biological basis and counted by footprints and tracking were recorded in one snowless season method of brown bear counting in the along the designated routes. The bear at the study site. The number of spring-summer period and monitoring families which included cubs in the “even” families and the cubs in them the population status in plain forests. first year of life were called “even,” exceeds the “uneven” families. The Bears of Russia and adjacent countries – in even numbered years. The “even” mean number of “even” females was state of populations. Vol. 1. Moscow. families contain the yearlings in 3.5 and “uneven” was 2.2 in one 1993. P. 42-62. (Rus., Engl. abstract). uneven (odd) years. The other year. During the ten year study, the Puchkovskiy S.V., Borisov A.V. families were named “uneven.” The “even” bear families generated 34 Comparison of results of census of results of the ten year spring-summer yearlings, i.e. 6.8 yearlings every two brown bear and intensity of marking monitoring of brown bear families years. The “uneven” females had 21 bear trees. Sib. Ecol. J. 2001. No. 1. P. are summarized in the table. yearlings, i.e. 4.2 every two years. It 93-98. (Rus., Engl. abstract).

8 International Bear News February 2004 vol. 13, no. 1 Eurasia Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) Reproductive Success in Yakutia

I. I. Mordosov Females reach sexual maturity in had two cubs each, and seven Yakutsk State University four years. The adult females do not females had one cub each. Such Yakutsk, Russia breed every year. Because cubs are variation in productivity in the Email [email protected] subject to attack by adult males, Yakutia brown bear appears to females with cubs avoid males. depend on annual food availability. Brown bear reproductive success Rarely do females with cubs of the Cub mortality in the first two in Siberia and Yakutia, Russia, is not year take part in breeding. In only years is estimated to reach 85% well understood. There are varying one questionnaire did a respondent, (Yurgenson, 1988). A.I. Krivokhizhin opinions on the times of rut, length from the Olekminsky district, report and Y.M. Dunischenko (1987) of pregnancy, fecundity and time of on a female with two cubs and one estimate mortality at 71.4% for the birth of this species (Voronov, 1974; yearling in the den. brown bear in Siberia and the Far Danilov, Tumanov, Rusakov, 1993; The duration of pregnancy and East. Cub mortality can be caused by Krivokhizhin, Dunishchenko, 1987; the time of birth of cubs are poorly many factors but sufficient food is Zavatsky, 1993; Lavov, 1993; studied. According to questionnaire necessary for successful hibernation. Mordosov, 1993; Chernyavsky et al., respondents, bear cubs appear in On average, females with cubs leave 1993). In these works, the duration January-February. However, there is the den in mid-May. By this time the of rut is determined from climatic evidence of rather late pregnancy in snow is gone and, on well-warmed conditions. In the European part of females. The same respondent areas, green grass appears along with Russia and in western Siberia the describes a cub of the same size animal food sources such as ants, bear rut begins in May and lasts until appearing at the end of April. Cubs invertebrates and carrion. In a late July. The same rut duration was of different sizes have been seen spring the plant growth is retarded, recorded in Kamchatka. In Yakutia, leaving the same den. and after leaving their dens, the northeastern Siberia, the bear rut In 2003, at the Orto-Doydu Zoo in bears are forced to cover large duration was recorded as June Yakutia a female delivered a litter distances in search of food, which through July. Responding to a between February 1 and 10. Because increases the probability of cub questionnaire by P. V. Mordosov, a the den was not properly built, a cub mortality. Considerable cub mortal- hunter from the Lensky district of died. The dead cub’s measurements: ity also occurs in years with poor Yakutia indicated that the bear rut is weight 296.1 gr, body length 214 crops of foods used to gain winter from June through mid-August. A mm, length of forelegs 105 mm and fat. In such years, both cubs and post-graduate student, Ajyy uola length of backlegs 91 mm. The fur adults perish. A mass mortality of Ajan, recorded the rut beginning in was short, scanty, and brown-grey in bears took place in autumn 1958, May. In the tundra and adjacent color. The eyes were closed, ears were when a failure of the primary bear zones of northeastern Yakutia, we small, and barely visible. Its tongue foods was observed in the southwest- recorded tracks of pairs of large bears was strongly developed. ern spurs of the Verkhoyansky range July 20-25, 2003. We saw two adult According to our data, brown (Tavrovsky et al., 1971). A major male-female pairs. bears average 2.4 cubs (n=23): 11 factor in the survival of newborn During the rut, depending on the females had three cubs each, 11 had cubs is the fatness of females. Well- density of the bear population, two cubs and one female had one fed females produce more milk and females have been seen accompanied cub. These data considerably exceed they leave their dens later, thereby by up to five males. V.A Tavrovsky et those of V.A. Tavrovskiy et al. (1971) reducing the probability of cub al. (1971) reported that hunters for southern and northeastern mortality. Thinner females leave described one female pursued by Yakutia, where according to visual their dens when there is still snow eight-to-nine males, with fierce observations and tracking, females on the ground and search long fights taking place among them. We average 1.8 cubs (n=84). According distances for food thus causing the also observed fights between males to Y.V. Revin et al. (1988), in majority of their cubs to die. In resulting in a hierarchy with one Predverkhoyanye the number of cubs different regions of Yakutia the male being dominant and relatively per female was 1.5 (n=12): one collected data show that the quality weaker males standing aside. female had three cubs, four females and quantity of available food is important for reproductive success of bears and the survival of cubs.

International Bear News February 2004 vol. 13, no. 1 9 Eurasia Brown Bear in China Yakutia, cont’d.

References This past fall in China’s Tangjiahe Danilov, P.I.; Tumanov, I.L.; Nature Reserve, located in Sichuan and Rusakov, O.S. The North of Province a team consisting of myself, European Russia Bears. M., Nauka, Dave Garshelis (Minnesota DNR), Bill 1993. P. 21-37 McShea (Conservation and Research Chernyavskiy, F.B.; Krechmar, Center, Smithsonian), and Wang A.V.; and Krechmar, M.A. The North Dajun (Beijing University) and Zhu of Far East Bears. M., Nauka. 1993. Xiaojian (Beijing University) began a P. 318-348 research project on Asiatic black Krivokhizhim, A.I.; Dunischenko, bears. A brief synopsis of our work J.I. On use of resources of a brown follows:

© Denis Torres bear in Siberia and in the Far East. — China Wildlife Conservation Ecology of Bears. Novosibirsk, 1987. News from China is provided by: Association approved the teaching of P. 51-56. Matthew E. Durnin a course on carnivore research and Lavov, M.A. Belarus Bears. M., PhD Candidate monitoring techniques with an Nauka, 1993. P. 60-67. University of California Berkeley emphasis on bears, for the third year Mordosov, I.I. Yakutia Bears. M., Ecosystem Science, 151 Hilgard Hall in Tangjiahe (November 6-12, 2003). Nauka.1993. P. 301-318 Berkeley, CA 94010, USA — The course was designed to Revin, Y.V.; Safronov, V.M.; Phone (510) 643-2922 accompany an effort to live-trap Volpert Ja.L.; and Popov, A.L. Fax (510) 643-5098 bears and start a GPS-based study of Ecologe and dynamics mammal Email [email protected] habitat and movements. numbers of Predverkhoyanye. — Dan Guertin, an assistant of Bill Novosivirsk: Nauka,1988. 200 p. Four of the world’s eight bear McShea’s at NZ, and a prospective Tavrovsky, V.A.; Egorov. O.V.; species occur in China yet a review of grad student of Dave Garshelis’ at Krivosheev, V.G.; et al. The Mam- all of the IBA conference proceedings the University of Minnesota, started mals in Yakutia. M.: Nauka, 1971. since 1977 as well as newsletters since the live trapping along with Chen Ai, 660 p. 1995 revealed only 10 newsletter a graduate student of Pan Wenshi at Voronov, V.G. Ecology of Ursus contributions and eight Ursus/proceed- Beijing University. I assisted for a few actos (Carnivora) on islands of ings contributions. I find these low weeks. We were not successful at Sakhalin region in active period. numbers discouraging and think more catching any bears which was very First International Theriological discussion of and support for work on disappointing. It was clear that the Congress. M.: Nauka, 1974. Vol.1. bears in China needs to be encour- bears were very wary of people, and P. 125-126. aged. I would like to begin with regular had an excellent mast crop which Zabatzkiy, B.P. The Middle Siberia reporting about bears in China. probably sated their appetites, Bears. M., Nauka, 1993. P. 249-275 Please send ANY news — legislation, restricted their movements, and Yurgenson, P.P.B. Hunting beasts research updates, human-bear interac- reduced the likelihood of them and birds. Lesnaya promyshlennost, tions, traditional Asian medicine/bear exploring baited sets. 1983. P. 174. parts trade issues, socio-economic- — Efforts to catch bears will political issues related to bears in continue in 2004, led by Dave China to the address above. Garshelis and Bill McShea. — Interviews with local villagers Asiatic Black Bear indicated that poaching is still a major issue, with poisoning being Don Reid used in recent years. My sense, based Canadian Wildlife Service on the density of sign, was that the PO Box 4716 bear population in Tangjiahe was Smithers, B.C. V0J 2N0, Canada similar to that in the late 1980s. Phone (250) 847-7286 Email [email protected]

10 International Bear News February 2004 vol. 13, no. 1 Eurasia Sloth Bear Project in Sri Lanka

Shyamala Ratnayeke of Wildlife Dept. Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation. University of Tennessee Apart from Knoxville, TN 37901, USA me, the three Email [email protected] investigators include I first visited Wasgomuwa, a Kalinga national park in the central lowlands Padmalal, a of Sri Lanka (see map), in 1999 and cervid later in 2000 in search of the sloth biologist and bear. Wasgomuwa, according to local senior lecturer wisdom, is a derivation of the old at the Open name Walasgomuwa, which means University of Sri Lanka, and Frank village settlements occurred directly “Bear Country.” Most people fail to van Manen, research biologist at the outside all boundaries, poaching, realize that, and there is no one more University of Tennessee. Mike Pelton logging, and illicit cultivation have at fault than the sloth bears them- is senior advisor to the project. been common at Wasgomuwa for selves who are more secretive and The sloth bear, Sri Lanka’s only decades. Despite the establishment of elusive than any of the 14 species of ursid, is also found in the lowlands the national park in the mid-1980s carnivore in the park. To most of India, Nepal and Bhutan. Sloth and ensuing law-enforcement, visitors, Wasgomuwa was best known bear populations throughout their villagers still continue to enter the for its magnificent, temperamental range are vulnerable to decline because park to set trap-guns and snares, and sometimes dangerous elephants. of rapid habitat loss, conflicts with shoot game and log timber. The park’s abundant animal life, humans, and poaching. The subspecies Villagers consider the sloth bear a particularly the rich diversity of of the sloth bear (Melursus ursinus dangerous adversary, the nature of mammalian carnivores, is much less inornatus) is endemic to Sri Lanka and the bear’s horrifying mutilation of its obvious owing to the dense jungle very little is known about its distribu- victims’ heads or faces making it the which reduces visibility, and the tion, status and ecology. The sloth bear most feared animal in Sri Lanka’s secretive nocturnal tendencies of project will provide some of the first jungles. This contrasts with the shy, much of the carnivore life. information on the bear’s biology and retiring nature of the bear and its There is plenty of carnivore sign, behavior in Sri Lanka and update apparent preference for wild habitat, especially bear sign, at Wasgomuwa, information on its current status and relatively free of human activity. In a deciding factor in bringing me back distribution. fact, the sloth bear has disappeared here. Two years after that first visit, I Location of the Sloth Bear Study from most unprotected areas and pitched a tent at the Mahaweli beat Wasgomuwa National Park (33,765 some protected areas of its former working with any wildlife officer ha) is situated on the edge of the dry range in Sri Lanka, reputedly being willing to accompany me and my and intermediate zones in the the first species to retreat before the remote cameras, while I documented lowlands of Sri Lanka. The north, advancing tide of forest clearance the carnivora of Wasgomuwa and east, and west boundaries of the park and human settlement. One of the sorted out logistics for an impending are flanked by rivers easily crossed on goals of the study is to use telemetry capture and telemetry study on the foot during the dry months. The data in conjunction with a geo- sloth bear. Four months later, a small park was initially designated a strict graphic information system to study field crew — field assistant Rohan, nature reserve which barred any habitat selection and assess how field mechanic Bandara, wildlife human activity, including patrolling, natural and anthropogenic factors officer Karunaratne and I — were on before the mid-1980s. As a result, the influence the distribution of sloth the trail of the first radiocollared southern boundary of Wasgomuwa bears on a landscape scale. The sloth bears in Sri Lanka. was heavily encroached for cultiva- capture and telemetry study is The sloth bear study is a joint tion and settlement until the reserve located in the southern region of effort among the University of was declared a national park and a Wasgomuwa, close to the park’s Tennessee, the Open University of Sri wildlife law enforcement unit was south and southeast boundaries, Lanka, and the Sri Lanka Department established on the premises. Because partly because we thought better

International Bear News February 2004 vol. 13, no. 1 11 Eurasia Sloth Bear Project in Sri Lanka, cont’d road access would facilitate monitoring and partly because this would allow a better evaluation of human activity on habitat use by sloth bears. As a result, some of the radiocollared animals in our study occupy areas on or closely abutting park boundaries. Capture and Radiotracking Study We captured and radiocollared our first six sloth bears in late June 2002. We started with nine barrel Sloth bear photo take by a remote camera set by Shyamala Ratnayeke traps built on a design similar to one used by Anup Joshi and David once more we were able to capture mainland — males and females Garshelis in Nepal, initially putting and radiocollar the four new bears in average 75 kg and 58 kg respectively them where we saw fresh bear sign. a fairly short time. and are on the smaller end of the The park permit required the pres- Wasgomuwa’s poor road access weight range for sloth bears on the ence of a wildlife veterinarian during and dense habitat pose some chal- Indian subcontinent. The bears at capture. The only wildlife veterinar- lenges to radio tracking involving Wasgomuwa also have considerably ian lived nearly an hour away and frequent treks through thick thorny shorter hair than the Indian and was usually in another district jungle to obtain coordinates or to Nepalese sloth bears. Termites are the attending to wounded elephants, so approach the bears — with caution mainstay of the sloth bear diet at we had to schedule the trapping as — to determine the types of dens or Wasgomuwa, but the pods of a small efficiently as possible to stay within daybeds they use. We have been tree Cassia fistula, are a close second. the permit’s requirements. We did fairly successful at locating the bears The tree produces pods during this by prebaiting the traps and regularly, mostly because we initially February and March. By late March, called the veterinarian to attend only trapped them in areas that were the pods ripen and turn black and when we were fairly sure of getting a readily accessible, and the bears remain edible until October or even bear. We prebaited the traps with themselves have very small home November if the monsoon rains are honey, but had little response for the ranges. We also examine fresh scats late. During the peak of the drought, first few days although the bears on a regular basis to gather data on the bears may subsist solely on were walking by our traps. We food habits throughout the year. Cassia fistula. eventually hung little pots of honey Additionally, we conduct sampling In 2003, we lost a radiocollared closer to the road where the honey using remote cameras across a much adult male to poachers, raising an would practically hit the bear in the larger area of Wasgomuwa National important question about the future of face. This seemed to work. Within a Park and a second study area (Yala) the sloth bear in Sri Lanka. In the early week, we had a few bears going in to located in the south of Sri Lanka to 1900s, the sloth bear was apparently so take the honey hung at the back of detect the presence or absence of numerous and feared by settlers in the the trap. We were able to capture and bears in different habitat types and dry zone that rewards were paid for its radiocollar six adult bears in four relative abundance among areas. destruction. Despite legal protection, days of trapping using four active Sloth bear home ranges at this negative perception still persists traps each night. The following year, Wasgomuwa average a few square among rural populations and poachers we obtained permission to capture kilometers and are much smaller routinely kill sloth bears mostly and radiocollar four more adult sloth than those reported for sloth bears in because they fear them. Poachers tend bears. Frank volunteered to come Nepal or India. The Sri Lankan sloth to sit over waterholes during the dry down to help us in the field and bears are smaller than bears on the season, so bears seeking water are an

12 International Bear News February 2004 vol. 13, no. 1 Eurasia Sri Lanka Sloth Bear Expert Team Report

easy target. Since 2000, I have In 2002, the IBA invited Charles near future, large extents of forested found four sloth bear skulls, and Santiapillai to co-chair the Sloth Bear habitat will be divided among wildlife staff have shown or reported Expert Team of the Bear Specialist refugee families for homes and at least four more skulls or carcasses of Group that would identify conserva- agriculture. The team considered the bears close to waterholes, usually at tion issues pertaining to the sloth sloth bear survey, particularly in the rock outcrops. The skulls were recov- bear, in this case the subspecies of north and eastern areas that were ered within national parks, and one sloth bear peculiar to Sri Lanka. previously closed to the public, a skull contained a half-inch lead shot. Charles put together a small team of priority. Secondly, it was necessary to Bears routinely fall victim to trapguns seven individuals to serve as a Sri identify and recommend absolute throughout the island and, in the Lankan branch of the sloth bear protection of key areas in the north north and eastern areas, landmines are expert team. In mid-2003, on and east that would serve as sloth an additional source of injury and Charles’ request, I was asked to bear refuges. The team further mortality. replace him as co-chair. The team, identified a need to document During the first years of the sloth bear now consisting of 11 individuals, human-sloth bear conflict as part of project, support came from the Ameri- met for the first time in December the sloth bear survey. can Zoo and Aquarium Association, the 2003 to brainstorm conservation Finally, the team felt that U.S. National Science Foundation, and issues for the sloth bear and chart a grassroots-level educational outreach the University of Tennessee. Since then, plan for addressing those issues. We and community-based programs more support has come from the IBA, also discussed the Sri Lanka sloth were needed to address negative the Swedish Large Carnivore Center-Orsa bear survey now in its early stages. perceptions of the bear among rural Grönklitt and the Chicago Zoological The team identified the contrac- populations living in or adjacent to Society for 2004. tion of sloth bear habitat as a bear habitat. The team has already Several individuals helped launch consequence of deforestation, made progress in this direction by the project or keep it going in an increasing human disturbance in conducting workshops at rural unofficial capacity. David Garshelis both protected and unprotected campuses and at the Colombo zoo. provided much of the initial motiva- areas, and a negative public percep- We have also produced an informa- tion to begin the study, assisted with tion of the bear, as the principal tion brochure on the sloth bear for identifying funding sources, supplied threats facing the Sri Lankan sloth distribution in schools across the critical field-related information bear. Human disturbance was island. consistently as we needed it, and identified as honey-gathering, The idea of a locally-based team wrote the most incredibly insightful logging for timber or fuel, and for dealing with bear issues has been letter to Sri Lanka authorities in poaching. Although poaching of an excellent recommendation from support of the study when it faced a bears for the sale of bear fat or bear the Bear Specialist Group. I was political impasse in 2002. In Sri parts was not considered a significant pleasantly surprised and grateful for Lanka, Rohan Pethiyagoda, Malik issue at the time, since the meeting, the attitude and sense of ownership Fernando, Ajitha de Costa and Sarath one member of the team reported displayed by team members who Kotagama among others have farmers in the eastern region killing were clearly proud to be part of a provided crucial support for the bears for fat. The fat is used in native Sloth Bear Expert Team and eager to project from the political side. In the medicine, namely for stimulating contribute. Hopefully, this will U.S., my friends and collaborators, hair growth. spread awareness of conservation especially Frank van Manen and Sri Lanka’s largest extents of issues facing the sloth bear and Mike Pelton have kept me sane, been contiguous forest are found in the ensure a continued interest and voices of moderation, and main- north and northeastern regions of investment in its future survival and tained communication through the the island. These forests have welfare. sometimes difficult and often lonely historically supported healthy experience of being a field biologist. populations of sloth bear and reports (See article on page 32.) More information on the Sri Lanka of bear encounters are increasing carnivore/sloth bear project is on with the onset of the peace process Mark McAllister’s website and the current flood of refugees www.fieldtripearth.org. back to the north and east. In the

International Bear News February 2004 vol. 13, no. 1 13 Americas Alaska

Alaska

News from Alaska provided by: big game guiding and trans- Steven Kovach porter operations on their Innoko National Wildlife Refuge lands. As a result, both PO Box 69 agencies have a keen interest McGrath, AK 99627, USA in the long-term conservation Phone (907) 524-3251 of this high density black bear Fax (907) 524-3141 population to provide a variety Email [email protected] of public uses. In the early summer of 2000 Alaskans, please send your bear we marked 131 bears, after news to the address above. distributing 188 baits (see photo on page 15) over a 263 mi2 area — a baiting success of 70%. Our Tetracycline Biomarking recapture sample consisted of Project on Kuiu Island, toe bones from harvested bears Southeast Alaska submitted by hunters over the subsequent year. We used a Elizabeth Peacock microscope with a UV light to Kuiu Island Program in Ecology, Evolution and examine the bones for tetracy- Conservation Biology cline marks. We estimated the University of Nevada, Reno, USA proportion of the population & marked to be 12%. Using a Kim Titus Lincoln-Petersen estimator we Alaska Department of Fish and Game calculated the population Division of Wildlife Conservation density to nearly 4 bears/mi2, Juneau, Alaska, USA with a coefficient of variation of Kuiu Island is within the Tongass 31%. We used a different sampling Kuiu Island (see map) has long National Forest and the habitat is strategy along with more intensive been known by big game guides and temperate rainforest composed baiting efforts in 2002, and distrib- a few other bear enthusiasts as a largely of old growth Sitka spruce uted 263 baits over the same area. location where American black bear and western hemlock. Valleys in the With approximately the same baiting densities are very high and on any northern part of the island have success, we marked 191 bears. The given evening in the spring 10, 20 or been roaded as a result of logging in samples from the subsequent year’s more black bears might be seen the 1980s and 1990s. There are no harvest show we marked 17% of the feeding on a single estuarine grass towns or villages on the island. population. From this baiting effort, flat. Kuiu Island has only black bears, We worked with Dave Garshelis in we calculated the density of black even though Admiralty Island (and the design of a tetracycline bears on North Kuiu to again be all the ABC islands) and its very biomarking project on Kuiu Island to nearly the same as two years earlier. dense brown bear populations are estimate the number of black bears Again, the coefficient of variation just 10-20 km away over salt water. on the northern part of the island. was 31%. Hunting pressure, largely from Primary funding for the project came We chose to use tetracycline nonresident guided and transported from the Alaska Department of Fish biomarking in this population hunters has been intense on Kuiu and Game (ADF&G). In addition, the estimation effort, as the black bears Island over the last 10 years, mostly USDA Forest Service and Tongass on Kuiu Island are quite elusive. The the result of the well-publicized National Forest Service staff provided thick rainforest cover and the black reports in hunting magazines. significant logistic support and staff bear’s behavior precludes using Biologists and hunting guides that in aiding the project. Although capture-mark-resight. Genetic have worked on the island for many ADF&G is the primary bear harvest tagging would also be quite difficult years all say that they feel the manager, the Forest Service permits population size is decreasing.

14 International Bear News February 2004 vol. 13, no. 1 Americas Bear Habituation Conference

Reprinted from Missoulian, Missoula, educate people not to feed or make Montana, USA, October 24, 2003, by food available to bears. Of course, Sherry Devlin. Herrero said, every grizzly bear that fed at a dump did not attack hu- A two-day workshop in October mans. “But a huge percentage of 2003 on the management of habitu- those that ripped into tents were ated grizzly bears was sponsored by food-conditioned,” he said. Food- Yellowstone National Park and the conditioned bears are much rarer Rocky Mountains Cooperative nowadays, and so are the attacks on Ecosystem Studies Unit in Missoula. people. However, there is a new type Its mission: for researchers and of bear behavior that causes concern park, forest and wildlife managers to for both grizzlies and humans. compare the strategies they use to Some brown and grizzly bears are manage habituated populations of habituated to — or tolerant of — grizzly and brown bears, especially human visitors to their world. Those those frequenting areas of high bears may continue feeding on a public use. roadside berry patch, even though People can, need to and are dozens of people stop their cars to successfully coexisting with habitu- watch and snap photographs. ated populations of brown and Habituated bears go about their daily Kuiu Island Bait Box grizzly bears, according to one of the lives sometimes in the presence of on this island, as accessibility and world’s leading authorities on bear- human beings. costs would prohibit accessing the human interactions. But successful At McNeil River State Game stations multiple times. With coexistence isn’t possible everywhere Sanctuary in Alaska, bears feed on tetracycline biomarking, these and always requires the active salmon while visitors watch from a stations must only be visited twice, management of both people and distance — and from locations and the hunters do the rest of the bears, Stephen Herrero told a meet- known to the bears. At a number of work! ing of bear biologists from the backcountry lodges in Canada, Our estimates of the population United States and Canada. visitors watch bears from towers and density are quite high — though not By allowing visitors to be close — raised platforms. surprisingly — given the quality of but not too close — to bears, park But are habituated grizzlies less habitat we have seen on the island. and refuge managers can expand the dangerous to humans? Herrero These results and others from the public’s understanding, enjoyment asked. And does the habituation put PhD program undertaken by Lily and love of the species, said Herrero, the bears themselves at greater risk? Peacock will provide important a professor at the University of “Even if a bear doesn’t react to a information for the long-term Calgary in Alberta. And some bear human’s presence, it may still be management of Kuiu black bears. Her populations may actually have to expending more energy,” he said. “We results will also provide biologists become habituated to survive as don’t know. We haven’t explored what with basic information about the humans increasingly move into their habituation means for bears.” genetic structure, relatedness, and territory, he said. Barrie Gilbert, a bear researcher movement of black bears across the The 1970s and 1980s were “ter- from Utah State University, won- Alexander Archipelago. We would rible eras,” Herrero told the group. dered if non-habituated bears don’t like to talk with other biologists to “Bears were ripping into tents and spend more energy running away compare notes on regions with pulling people out.” Almost always, from people, especially on public similar high density black bear the bears were food-conditioned; lands where access is easy and use is populations. they were accustomed to human increasing. “A micro-evolution is foods and would do anything to get going on in bears,” Gilbert said. “A them, he said. The fix was obvious: new, learned behavior is being passed close the dumps in places like on from parents to offspring.” And Yellowstone National Park and it’s likely to become more wide

International Bear News February 2004 vol. 13, no. 1 15 Americas Bear Habituation Conference, cont’d. Whistler Bear Group Bans Rubber Slugs

spread, as bear watching grows into had other experiences with hu- Sylvia Dolson, Executive Director an ever-larger, ever-more-lucrative mans? Are they genetically predis- J.J. Whistler Bear Society industry, he said. On Knight Inlet on posed to tolerate human activity? Canadian Bear Alliance the coast of British Columbia, a And there are places, including 204-3300 Ptarmigan Place lodge known for its bear-watching Canada’s Banff National Park and Whistler, B.C. V0N 1B3, Canada potential grossed $1.8 million in one Montana’s Glacier National Park, Phone (604) 905-4209 season, Gilbert said, “Just from where habituation would most Fax (604) 935-4009 bringing people in to watch bears.” assuredly lead to more dead bears, Email [email protected] Already, bear-viewing has eclipsed Herrero said. Website www.bearsmart.com bear-hunting in its economic impact, said Colleen Matt of the Alaska Depart- ment of Fish and Game, “It’s huge, and growing every year.” Not all bear biologists are enthused by the trend, though, including Chuck Jonkel of Missoula’s Great Bear Founda- tion. “It bothers me to hear talk of the benefits of habitua- tion,” Jonkel told the workshop-goers. “It’s like touting the benefits of serial killing. You get to meet new people and travel.”

© Larry Aumiller, Alaska Department of Fish and Game © Larry Aumiller, Gilbert said, “We need to let bears be wild. We don’t Habituated bears in the presence The Whistler Bear Working Group have to get up next to them. The of highways are at great risk of (Jennifer Jones Whistler Bear Society; more bear-viewing that can be done being hit and killed by a car, he British Columbia Ministry of Water, at a distance, the better.” said. They’re also more likely to be Land and Air Protection; Resort In fact, Herrero said he and a pair fed by people — and food-condi- Municipality of Whistler; Royal of co-authors are working to define tioning remains a death sentence Canadian Mounted Police; Whistler/ the “overt reaction distance” of for bears. Blackcomb Mountain; Association of grizzly and brown bears. There is Also a no-no, Gilbert added, is Whistler Area Residents for the such a thing as “too close.” An habituating bears to photo-taking Environment (AWARE); Whistler individual bear’s response to humans tourists, then giving hunters access Black Bear Project; Squamish Nation; is influenced by many factors. Are to the same population. “I would LilÇwat and Nation) has decided to they adults or young bears? What is close all the big salmon streams to remove rubber slugs from officers’ the season? What are the humans hunting,” he said. “It’s just not doing? How much natural food is ethical.” available to the bear? Has the bear

16 International Bear News February 2004 vol. 13, no. 1 Americas Rubber Slug Use in Prudhoe Oilfield

non-lethal bear management kits. Dick Shideler Institute. I’ve summarized some of our The decision was made to minimize Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game recommendations below: physical injury to the animals. When 1300 College Road Round Selection: Although the rubber slugs are used on a young Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA State of Alaska does not allow us to animal, or at a distance closer than Phone (907) 459-7283 endorse specific products, the ONLY 25 m, there is a strong possibility of Fax (907) 456-3091 rubber slug we use is the “Strike penetration. This has happened on Email Two” sold by Margo Supplies. We more than one occasion that we are [email protected] have found this round to be rela- aware of. As a result, bean bag tively accurate, to remain soft when rounds will be used when a pain The Whistler Bear Working Group cold, and safe at much shorter ranges deterrent is warranted. Bean bags are recently discontinued use of rubber slugs than other rubber or plastic slugs. much safer, not only for the bear, but as a bear repellent in their ongoing non- Target Area: We aim primarily for the for bystanders as well. lethal problem American black bear rump although occasionally the only If the officer effectively communi- management program. Other venues target is the shoulder. There is still some cates his dominance to the bear, that are or will be involved in bear potential for injury with rubber slugs if then no tools would be necessary. deterrence programs may benefit from they hit the bear in the eye, but that We have decided to place more our experience in the Prudhoe Oilfield would also apply to beanbags or any emphasis on understanding bear Grizzly Project, Alaska. Since 1991, we other projectile. If the bear is moving postures and vocalizations and using have used projectiles such as rubber laterally, we aim for the rear portion of human dominance to disarm bullets, beanbags, and paintballs (the the rump so there is no chance of hitting threatening bear behavior. This will latter on cubs and yearlings only) as tools the soft tissue of the flank, where ensure public safety and officer to reinforce the message that bears bruising internal organs is unlikely but safety and provide a more effective should avoid approaching oilfield possible. The simple rule is that if there’s and more humane method of workers at active work sites and around a question, don’t shoot. managing bears. Anecdotally, the the camps. We’ve fired several hundred Range: We use the Strike Two at longest lasting primary deterrents rounds at grizzly and polar bears over the distances as close as 20 m — e.g. have been using human dominance years with no bears injured. We have also overlapping with the range of the (or the use of a dog) in mitigating a trained over 100 oilfield security officers, beanbags we use — and out to 40 m. conflict situation. Bears that have local police, and environmental staff in Beyond 40 m, accuracy, especially in been persistently pursued by a bear deterrence, and their record is a cross-wind, drops dramatically. person and walked out of town have similar with the exception that two Most aversive conditioning programs not returned. Using a well-trained young grizzly bears were injured when a pair a stimulus with an aversive event so dog to track and follow the bear, security officer mistakenly fired obsolete that eventually the animal will recognize slightly beyond the edge of human model rubber slugs at too close range the stimulus and exhibit avoidance territory, has also been extremely and the slugs penetrated the bears’ behavior. With that in mind, we useful. rumps. This type of slug, the BD-100 or recommend yelling at the bear before The J.J. Whistler Bear Society fully Bear Deterrent Round — a white, firing a projectile. Yelling is a common supports this move and asks that all torpedo-shaped plastic round — was response of people when a bear ap- bear managers consider removing supposed to have been removed from proaches, so by yelling we are not only rubber bullets from their kits. the officer’s active deterrent kit and was focusing the bear’s attention on us, but to have been used only for training. also “teaching” the bear that when it Early in the project we recognized hears someone yelling it’s time to leave. that there was the potential for injury, Like the Whistler program, we also and developed guidelines for projectile use vehicles, Karelian bear dogs, and use. These include selection of the numerous types of noisemakers. specific round, target area, appropriate However, we believe that properly range, and when to use them. Our used rubber slugs are an effective tool guidelines are in line with the Whistler in the non-lethal tool kit. Non-lethal Guidebook and recommen- Anyone wanting a copy of our two dations by the Wind River Bear page guidelines is welcome to contact me. International Bear News February 2004 vol. 13, no. 1 17 Americas Nature Conservancy of Canada and North Cascades Tembec Agree to Conserve Elk Valley Grizzly Sighting Confirmed

identified wildlife corridors that cross From Washington State Department of Highway 3. Conservation of these Fish and Wildlife, USA, press releases. corridors is helping to protect key movement opportunities for wide- A DNA analysis by Wildlife ranging carnivores such as grizzly Genetics International, Nelson, bear, gray wolf and Canada lynx that British Columbia, Canada, has rely on them for maintaining confirmed two hair samples collected healthy and viable population levels. in May 2003 from a barbed-wire The Elk River also provides critical fence east of Chesaw, Washington, habitat for many other species, USA, (northeast Okanogan County) including populations of bull trout were left by a grizzly. and east-slope cutthroat trout, both It may be the first verified grizzly species at risk. In September 2003, a sighting in the Okanagan Highlands large grove of giant black cottonwood since one was shot in the 1950s. “It trees, the oldest known cottonwood is unusual for grizzlies to be sighted trees in the world, were discovered in almost anywhere within their the area to be conserved. historic range in the upper half of NCC and Tembec have a history of Washington, particularly from the cooperating on conservation efforts North Cascades to the Selkirk © Larry Aumiller, Alaska Department of Fish and Game © Larry Aumiller, in the Elk Valley through their co- Mountains,” said Scott Fitkin, a Nature Conservancy of Canada press management of NCC’s 8,947-hectare biologist with Washington Depart- release, December 12, 2003. (22,100-acre) Mount Broadwood ment of Fish and Wildlife. Heritage Conservation Area, located A landowner told Fitkin that he A landmark agreement was immediately south of Tembec’s watched the bear wander across his announced between the Nature private property. Tembec holds property at a distance of 200 to 500 Conservancy of Canada (NCC timber rights on that land from a feet, passing near an enclosure with (www.natureconservancy.ca)) and grandfathered agreement with Shell two domestic sheep without incident. Tembec (www.tembec.com), one of Canada, which donated Mount The bear removed a screen from a Canada’s largest softwood lumber Broadwood to NCC in 1992. In 1997, water collection barrel but no further producers, to permanently conserve after several scientific studies identi- nuisance activity was reported. The significant wildlife corridors in the fied the significance of the major landowner took several photos of the Elk Valley near Fernie, British wildlife movement corridors across bear before it wandered off. The bear Columbia, Canada, while at the same Highway 3, NCC and Tembec began has not been seen since this sighting. time facilitating continued forest working on a plan to ensure the “Chances are the bear was just passing utilization and accommodating the conservation of the entire area. through in its normal course of needs of local communities. The The agreement also restricts foraging,” said Fitkin. agreement is the largest of its kind another 35,034 hectares (86,570 Fitkin and another biologist negotiated by NCC. It will result in acres) against subdivision and documented by photo, measure- NCC’s acquisition of 1,565 hectares residential development for a period ment, and plaster cast several bear (3,867 acres) of land, the permanent of 10 years, giving both parties the tracks found in mud near a spring on conservation of an additional 3,000 opportunity to investigate possibili- the property. They collected hair hectares (7,413 acres) of land ties for more permanent conserva- samples from a barbed wire fence through conservation covenants, and tion. The agreement fits in well with through which the landowner the restriction of another 35,034 objectives of the British Columbia reported the bear had passed, and hectares (86,570 acres) against Ministry of Sustainable Resource bear droppings found near the tracks subdivision and residential develop- Management’s Southern Rocky and hair. The biologists also found ment for a period of 10 years. Mountain Management Plan, which and photographed a small dig site The 4,565 hectares (11,280 acres) aims to provide increased certainty where a large animal had excavated a of conservation lands are concen- for both resource development and ground squirrel burrow, a common trated around three scientifically conservation. foraging behavior for grizzlies.

18 International Bear News February 2004 vol. 13, no. 1 Americas North Cascades Ecosystem Residents Respond to Grizzly Bear Survey

Jim Davis A total of 508 adults age eighteen The survey looked at local atti- Conservation Partnership Center/ and older completed the survey. The tudes toward grizzly bear interactions Grizzly Bear Outreach Project results are accurate to within plus or with people. Almost everyone (91%) Email [email protected] minus 4%. The large number of agreed that residents and visitors to Phone (360) 705-1549 people completing the survey the North Cascades could prevent & provide confidence that the results almost all problems with grizzly Chris Morgan accurately represent the opinions of bears by taking a few simple precau- Insight Wildlife Management/ rural residents in Skagit and tions and avoiding areas where Grizzly Bear Outreach Project Whatcom Counties. grizzly bears are known to be Email Wildlife agencies have not present. [email protected] determined whether grizzly bears Most rural residents of Skagit and Phone (360) 734-6060 will need to be added to the North Whatcom Counties think grizzly Website www.bearinfo.org. Cascades to recover the population. bears should be preserved in the Adding bears can be controversial. North Cascades for future genera- A survey of rural residents from However, 33% of the respondents tions. More than two-thirds of the Skagit and Whatcom Counties in in the survey reported that they people participating in the survey Washington State, USA, has revealed would be more supportive of grizzly believed that local citizens in and widespread support for grizzly bear bear recovery in the North Cascades near the North Cascades would be recovery in the North Cascades. A if 5-10 bears had to be added, while willing to work with wildlife agencies majority of respondents (52%) only 15% said they would be less to determine the best way to recover reported strong support for recovery supportive. grizzly bears. and 24% reported moderate support The survey showed that Skagit and The GBOP is a community-based for recovery. Very few (11%) said that Whatcom County residents need education project providing accurate they strongly oppose grizzly bear more information on grizzly bears. information on grizzly bears, the recovery and only 5% said that they Few people knew that meat and fish grizzly bear recovery process, and moderately oppose recovery. Support comprise only 10% of the grizzly ways to make homes and communi- for grizzly bear recovery was about bear’s diet in the North Cascades. ties bear safe. the same in Skagit and Whatcom Very few realize that full recovery of Counties. the grizzly bear population in the The telephone survey was spon- North Cascades will take around 100 sored by the Grizzly Bear Outreach years. Fortunately, nearly everyone Project (GBOP) and funded by the knew that it is legal to kill a grizzly Skagit Wildlife Research Grant bear in self-defense or defense of Program managed by Seattle City other people. However, almost a Light. The survey was conducted by third did not know that it is illegal to Responsive Management, a nation- kill a grizzly bear if it were to attack ally recognized survey firm based in livestock. Virginia. All participants in the survey lived in or adjacent to the recovery ecosystem (east of Highway 9) in Skagit and Whatcom Counties. Adults were selected at random from the area to participate in the survey. Survey telephone calls were con- ducted during September and October 2003.

International Bear News February 2004 vol. 13, no. 1 19 Americas Ontario Takes Action on Nuisance Bears Wyoming 2004 Memorial Bear Fund Grants

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, of canceling the spring bear hunt The Wyoming Chapter of the press release, December 17, 2003. and will work as a team with the Wildlife Society will be accepting Ministries of Tourism and Recreation applications for grants for the 2004 Toronto — The McGuinty govern- and Northern Development and field season. This is the seventh year ment will move to manage nuisance Mines to help develop real and we have awarded grants and we hope bears and protect Ontario, Canada, lasting jobs for the northern to award up to $4,000. To qualify, communities and the natural economy. projects must relate to bear manage- environment, Natural Resources The Natural Resources Ministry ment, research, law enforcement or Minister David Ramsay announced. will have a nuisance bear manage- habitat. To obtain application For years, governments have not ment strategy in place by spring materials contact: acted on this complex issue, which 2004, after discussions with munici- Bill Rudd has frustrated communities, espe- palities, police and other stakehold- 320 Evans cially in the north. The McGuinty ers. The strategy will include such Green River, WY 82935, USA government is ending years of buck- actions as: Email [email protected] passing by taking the lead in the • a nuisance bear response system Applications are due by March 1, management of nuisance bears, said operating round the clock — with a 2004 and awards will be made by Ramsay. Our nuisance bear strategy toll-free number for reporting April 15. will be a real, positive change for nuisance bear incidents and person- The above address can be used to people who are looking for a clear nel dispatched to the scene if obtain more information about the solution to this long-standing necessary; fund or to make a contribution. The problem. • assistance to municipalities to Memorial Bear Fund is a lasting The government is taking action help prevent bear problems; memorial to Ray Austin, Kirk Inberg, on key recommendations from the • increased public education on Kevin Roy and Fred Reed who were Nuisance Bear Review Committee bear management; killed in two separate airplane report, released last month. The • and, an improved bear popula- crashes in Wyoming, USA. government will not reinstate the tion management system to better spring bear hunt. The committee’s track the bear population and report found no scientific connec- manage the harvest. New Jersey tion between the cancellation of the Together with municipalities, spring bear hunt and increases in police and citizens, the government Bear Hunt nuisance bear activity. Instead, the is moving in a new direction to help report concluded that nuisance bear protect the people of Ontario, their Kelcey Burguess activity is linked to the availability of communities and the natural Black Bear Project Leader food and climate conditions. environment, said Ramsay. New Jersey Division of Ramsay said he shares northerners Contacts: Fish and Wildlife concerns about the economic impact Kevin McGuire New Jersey, USA Ontario Ministers Office Phone (908) 735-8793 Phone (416) 314-2210 Email [email protected] & Jolanta Kowalski Here is an update on the first New Ontario Ministry of Jersey hunt since 1970: Natural Resources We made it through the full six Phone (416) 314-2198 day season, December 13-18, 2003, without incident We harvested 328 bears. Sussex county was the top county for harvest. We are compiling data.

(See article on page 25.)

20 International Bear News February 2004 vol. 13, no. 1 Americas Southwest USA Southeast USA

Southwest USA/Mexico news human-caused mortality, season News from the Southeast USA is provided by: lengths and start dates, historic provided by: Diana Doan-Crider harvest from pelt tag records, and Thomas Eason, Chief Caesar Kleberg migration rates. Bureau of Wildlife Wildlife Research Institute Diversity and Conservation MSC 218 Research Florida Fish and Wildlife Texas A&M University-Kingsville There is ongoing research of Conservation Commission Kingsville, TX 78363-8202, USA nuisance American black bears in the Bryant Building Email [email protected] Albuquerque, New Mexico area. 620 S. Meridian Street Each summer Albuquerque and its Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600, USA New Mexico bedroom communities are subject to Phone (850) 413-7379 nuisance excursions by black bears Fax (850) 921-1847 Rick Winslow from the nearby Sandia and Email [email protected] Large Carnivore Biologist Manzano mountain complex. These New Mexico Department of bears are popular with many area Florida Game and Fish residents and long-term conservation PO Box 25112, #1 Wildlife Way of this population is a priority for The Bear Management Section Santa Fe, NM 87505, USA our department. We are capturing, continues to operate with the Phone (505) 268-6347 or radiocollaring and tracking these Section Leader’s position vacant. The (505) 476-8046 nuisance bears in order to determine application period is closed, and Email [email protected] effective methods of limiting damage applicants will be interviewed soon. by the bears and alternative methods Fieldwork has ended for the Ocala Changes to Hunt Structure of nuisance bear management Bear Study and Statewide Bear Study. In October 2003 the New Mexico besides relocation. A control popula- Data analysis has begun for both State Game Commission approved a tion of bears from the much less projects, and final reports will be proposal by the New Mexico Depart- urbanized Manzano Mountains will completed in March (Ocala) and ment of Game and Fish to dramati- also be radiocollared and tracked for September (Statewide) 2004. Two cally change the structure of Ameri- comparison. We will test if there are masters students whose projects grew can black bear hunting in New differences in the physical condition from the Ocala Bear Study will Mexico. Prior to this rule change, and habitat use of nuisance and non- graduate at the end of this semester, season length had been the main nuisance bears. a third will graduate next year. control of harvest. The new hunt Staff members continue monitor- structure divides the state into six 9th Western ing bear hair snares along U.S. management zones based upon Black Bear Workshop Highway 98 in the Aucilla Wildlife biogeographic boundaries of bear Instead of holding the Ninth Management Area, the last stages of populations. Each zone has two Western Black Bear Workshop in the fieldwork for this project, through harvest limits, one for the total spring of 2005 as previously an- the end of February. Hair samples number of bears that may be har- nounced, we have decided to hold it will be genetically analyzed to vested, and one for the total number during the spring of 2006 in order to examine bear population numbers of female bears that may be har- avoid conflicts with other scheduled and road crossings. The first semi- vested. Whichever limit is reached events. The New Mexico Department annual report is due this month, first will close that zone for the of Game and Fish and the Philmont with the final analysis and report remainder of the bear hunt. Harvest Scout Ranch will still be the hosts, as due in July. limits to maintain stable populations will other local organizations. were determined with a computer model developed during the department’s eight-year bear study. Parameters include natality, recruit- ment, mast quality, natural and

International Bear News February 2004 vol. 13, no. 1 21 Americas Southeast USA, cont’d.: Joint Undercover Operation Links International Black Market to Virginia Mountains

Submitted by Denny Martin. violations (99 felonies and 105 commercial black market commonly misdemeanors) have been docu- associated with wildlife and endan- Virginia Department of Game and mented against over 100 individuals gered plants. Operation VIPER has Inland Fisheries news release. in seven states, the District of uncovered evidence that whole Contact: Claire Comer Columbia and one foreign country. bears, gall bladders, bear paws, and Shenandoah National Park, Operation VIPER (Virginia Inter- other bear parts originating in Phone (540) 999-3183, agency Effort to Protect Environmen- Virginia are being trafficked to Email [email protected] tal Resources) is the latest in a series Washington, D.C., Maryland, West & of cooperative interagency investiga- Virginia, North Carolina, New Jersey, Julia Dixon tions. The operation built upon New York, and California, as well as Virginia Department of Game and previous state/federal undercover overseas. Operation VIPER has Inland Fisheries investigations, including Operation established a direct connection Phone (804) 367-0991 SOUP (Special Operation to Uncover between Virginia and South Korea, Email [email protected]. Poaching), which was concluded in and has obtained evidence of links to January 1999. Evidence obtained other foreign countries. Shenandoah Richmond, Virginia — At a joint from Operation SOUP revealed the National Park Superintendent press conference, the Virginia existence of extensive illegal taking Douglas K. Morris commented, Department of Game and Inland and trade in black bear parts that “Commercialization of protected Fisheries (VDGIF) and the National originated in Virginia, including natural resources is a nationwide, Park Service announced the results of Shenandoah National Park, which worldwide problem, and some of it a multi-year, joint, undercover, were being trafficked primarily to starts right here in Shenandoah investigation that has produced Asian markets in the Mid-Atlantic National Park as well as other numerous wildlife violation charges states as well as overseas. Operation National Park sites.” To be successful and directly linked the communities SOUP also revealed that many of the long-term investigations like SOUP surrounding Shenandoah National entities involved in the illegal bear and VIPER require extensive coopera- Park with the multi-million dollar trade were also involved in the illegal tion and combined efforts of state international black market trade in commercial trade of wild American and federal law enforcement. Bill American black bears and American ginseng roots, some of which Woodfin, director of VDGIF added, ginseng plants. originated from within Shenandoah “These ongoing investigations State and federal officials have National Park where the digging of indicate an extensive black market become increasingly concerned ginseng roots is prohibited. Based on trade that can only be addressed by about the commercialization and this knowledge, the recently com- working closely with all our federal, exploitation of natural resources and pleted Operation VIPER specifically state, and local partners as well as the results of this investigation targeted the illegal commercializa- with wildlife conservation groups confirm the existence of an active tion and black market sales of both committed to protecting our natural black market demand for products black bear and American ginseng. resources.” from the Virginia mountains. The During the past three years, the Exploitation of natural resources extent of this international demand investigation has analyzed the illegal like ginseng and bear parts has threatens the viability of the species market flow of ginseng and black driven these species to near extinc- involved. Additional investigative bear parts and their interrelationship tion in Asia. The international void, support was provided by the FBI, the with each other, as well as other coupled with increased demand for Maryland Department of Natural commodities within the black these products by mainstream Resources, the National Fish and market, including other federally American markets, raises concern for Wildlife Forensic Laboratory, the protected species. Utilizing a store- the protection and conservation of United States Attorney’s Office, and front operation, an undercover agent our treasured natural resources. the Rockingham County/ operated a sporting goods business Resource protection agencies like the Harrisonburg, Virginia Common- near Elkton, Virginia, that bought Virginia Department of Game and wealth Attorney’s Office. A total of and sold black bears and ginseng Inland Fisheries and the National 487 state violations (193 felonies and roots. The storefront operation Park Service will continue to monitor 294 misdemeanors) and 204 federal allowed investigators to infiltrate the and investigate this threat.

22 International Bear News February 2004 vol. 13, no. 1 Student Forum Why Am I Doing This?

Diana Doan-Crider I remember one particular day, as I and oversight in developing the IBA Student Coordinator was counting the 325th acorn on oak goals and objectives for our past Caesar Kleberg tree No. 546 on Transect No. 36, I research projects. In my case, Wildlife Research Institute asked myself, “Why am I doing especially early in my research, I MSC 218 this?” Day after day, week after week, simply didn’t take enough time to Texas A&M University-Kingsville acorn after acorn, the same question ask the right questions. Kingsville, TX 78363-8202, USA bounced around my mind. I finally What distracts us from asking the Email [email protected] finished my bear movements/acorn right questions? Sometimes funding data collection after three years, and deadlines force us into hastily Are you an IBA student? stumbled back to my home base to designed studies, because if we Then you need to belong begin the analysis. Bear location data don’t come up with a study before to the Student Forum! point after bear location data point, next week, someone else may get Excel file after Excel file, t-test after t- the money. Like those cartoon SIGN UP NOW! test, the question still lingered. GIS lemmings, some of us simply pile STUDENT LIST SERVE (TRUMAN) map after GIS map, layer after off into the world of high-tech • For students only. layer...the dissertation…paragraph studies to do what everyone else is • Discussions pertaining to bear after paragraph. Then one fateful doing because that’s what’s in the biology, management, or study day, the advisors on my PhD Com- literature and on the Discovery design challenges. mittee asked me, “Why did you do Channel. Worse yet, some of us • Assistance with proposals and this?” Good question. Thank God I (namely me) try to write the book study design through IBA profes- had produced some sort of answer in on “how to save bears on $5/day” sionals. the way of a dissertation, and and end up unable to answer the • Job searches, announcements, actually felt somewhat redeemed by huge questions we posed at the information regarding the IBA the fact that the results were kind of beginning of our studies. You can’t and student membership. interesting. If they had not been, I get to the moon on a pogo-stick, • Planning for IBA student activities would have resented acorns for the and low sample sizes and a two- and meetings. rest of my life. year study period simply won’t • IBA membership is encouraged, but One of the most important answer huge questions about not required for initial sign-up. questions you can ask yourself is population trends. You can hop “Why am I doing this?” While this across the road on a pogo-stick, INSTRUCTIONS phrase is more frequently known to however, and you might be able to • Contact Diana Doan-Crider at d- graduate students as a reminder that answer some small questions under [email protected] to enroll. we are confused or simply searching those conditions. It’s not necessar- • After enrollment, go to: for the meaning of life, it can also be ily the scale of the question; it’s http://aristotle.tamuk.edu. your best friend when it comes to whether or not you can answer it. • Click on Agricultural Lists. making good decisions in bear What makes a good scientist? I • Click on Truman. research. I know I’ve covered this think it is someone who can really • Enter your email address and the before, but I’d like to make sure you ask a good question, and find a password “Bears01.” really get it. practical and realistic way to answer • Go to Create Message. The other day, my good friend that question. What makes a good John Hechtel and I were philosophiz- conservationist? I think that it is Do NOT reply to list serve mes- ing about the direction, or lack someone who is able to ask a perti- sages using your “reply” button. You thereof, of some recent research nent question, and then incorporate must return to Truman and respond proposals we were asked to review. that answer into a functional within the list serve or else other Some of the proposals had great conservation strategy. Did you ever members will not receive your goals, but the objectives to achieve hear the joke about why the chicken response. these goals were unrealistic and crossed the road (Answer: to get to somewhat irrelevant. We weren’t the other side)? How many of us being critical, but were simply have done a bear study just to do a reflecting on some of our own haste bear study? Whether you want to go

International Bear News February 2004 vol. 13, no. 1 23 Student Forum Why Am I Doing This? cont’d.

to the moon or simply cross the tedly, it’s more glamorous and drew a schematic plan on a piece of road, take some time to ask yourself exciting to count cubs in dens or paper that would help me address “Why?” appear in magazines with radio- the basic questions upon which As bear biologists, most of us strive collared bears, but some pretty other, more specific questions could to be both scientist and conserva- important answers have come from be built. Now I have a prioritized “to tionist. Whatever your resources — a collecting bear scat, counting acorns do” list for my research projects, and billion dollars and 20 years or $500 and conducting public attitude am ready to develop the third phase and two years to study bears — there surveys. On the other hand, perhaps of my work. Eventually, this plan is just as much chance to blow the your time and efforts might be better should lead to a Mexican black bear opportunity or come up with some spent raising money for the next two conservation strategy that will be useful answers. Either case deserves years to buy 50 radiocollars instead based on some solid scientific the same effort in planning, so invest of 5 and do a good telemetry study if information, and yet still be practical your time and money well. Maybe it will address the question you are and useful to the Mexican govern- you don’t need to actually handle asking. The most important issue, ment, and landowners. Develop your bears or use expensive tools such as however, is to determine what own plan, whether it is for long-term telemetry to answer the question you question you are trying to answer, bear conservation, or just for the are asking. It’s important to under- and which study design and tools are duration of your MS or PhD. And stand that tools like telemetry and sufficient to help you do the job. remember, when you hear the words DNA-hair sampling are not magic, After 10 years of field work and “Why am I doing this?” it may not be and come with their own set of some frustration with the holes in such a bad thing. problems. Maybe the more relevant my database, I took time to re- and simple questions need to be evaluate my goals and organize my asked first, and then the bigger thoughts. I actually sat down and questions can come later. Admit-

Opportunity

Volunteers Needed for Grizzly and American Black Bear Habitat Research

The U.S. Geological Survey and grizzly bear inhabited areas. Previous For more information, or to send a the National Park Service are initiat- outdoor and orienteering experience resume and references, contact: ing a comparative study of food is a plus. Field work will be per- Dr. Charles C. Schwartz habits and habitat use of American formed June-November 2004. We’re Team Leader black and grizzly bears in Grand looking for dedicated budding Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA. wildlife biologists who are willing to USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Volunteers are needed to assist commit three or more months to this Science Center ground crews in visiting GPS collar project. The work is hard, the hours PO Box 172780 locations, performing habitat use are long, the pay is almost non- Forestry Sciences Lab - MSU reconnaissance and scat collection existent (per diem allowance), and Bozeman, MT 59717, USA for DNA and food habits analysis. the housing is primitive, but this is Phone (406) 994-5043 The work involves extensive hiking an incomparable opportunity to gain Email [email protected] and backpacking in very remote, experience doing wildlife research.

24 International Bear News February 2004 vol. 13, no. 1 Bears in Culture Hunting for Common Ground

Christine Clarke Division of Fish and Wildlife of problem bears, it was becoming 11345 40th Avenue NE (NJDFW) to close the season in 1971. clear to the NJDFW that these Seattle, WA 98125, USA As forests gradually matured and methods alone were not going to Email [email protected] suitable habitat recovered, so did the reduce conflicts to an acceptable population of bears. In 2001, the level to the people whose property Imagine you’ve moved into a population was estimated at 1,146 and safety were at risk. quiet, rural neighborhood, perhaps bears in their primary range in Citing public safety concerns, New not too far from a large metropolitan northwestern New Jersey. By 2003, Jersey Department of Environmental area. There are plenty of woods, the estimate was 3,200 bears in over Protection Commissioner Bradley streams and farms. If you live in 16 counties, with complaints increas- Campbell announced in mid-2003 northwestern New Jersey, American ing as well. Whereas bear complaints that there would be a six-day bear black bears may be your closest numbered 285 in 1995, the number hunting season December 8-13, neighbors. In one of the most 2003, in northwestern New Jersey. densely populated states in the Opposition was voiced immedi- United States, humans and ately. Protesters, many clutching bears are living in close teddy bears, rallied in Trenton and proximity to each other. As over 82,000 signed an anti-hunt more people across the nation petition. In a public opinion poll move into rural areas and cited by the Humane Society, 58% of previously deforested regions registered New Jersey voters believed mature to provide suitable the hunt should be stopped, while wildlife habitat, the line 67% believed that non-lethal between urban and rural methods should be used to reduce habitat has blurred. This bear-related incidents. Then, on encroachment into each December 1, a lawsuit was filed in other’s territory does not rest U.S. District Court by the Fund for comfortably with either bear or Animals, the Center for Animal human. Additionally, human Protection, and the Humane Society attitudes toward bear manage- of the United States (HSUS) against ment are increasingly disparate the National Park Service (NPS) and

and finding common ground © Catherine Norkin the U.S. Department of seems remote or nearly Interior. The plaintiffs impossible. claimed that bear Historically, people’s hunting in the Delaware attitude towards the bear (and other soared above 1,400 in 2002. The Water Gap National Recreation Area potential predators) was predomi- seriousness of complaints also violated the NPS’s Organic Act and nantly the same: hunt it to eat, or escalated from relatively minor National Environmental Protection eliminate it as an unwanted pest. garbage can or bird feeder raids to Act, as well as causing the Fund for With increased settlement in New more major problems: house break- Animals members’ irreparable harm Jersey in the early 1900s, nearly all ins (58 in 2003), vehicular accidents and that it was against the public its forests were cleared for lumber, (50), livestock kills, domestic pet interest. A preliminary injunction fuel and agricultural purposes. attacks, and personal injury (hiker was issued on December 5, putting American black bears were viewed as knocked down, homeowner mauled the hunt on hold in the Recreation vermin and their population plum- while attempting to rescue pet, Area only. meted. Although bears were desig- young child sitting on porch swatted On the second day of the hunt, nated as game animals in 1953, and by bear). U.S. District Court Judge Reggie B. limited hunting seasons took place Despite a national award-winning Walton lifted the prohibition in in 1958 and in 1962-1970, only 46 black bear education program, on- Delaware Water Gap, stating that bears were killed over a 10 year going aversive conditioning, trap- “[c]ontrary to the plaintiffs’ alarmist period, leading the New Jersey ping and removal or euthanization predictions, the black bear popula-

International Bear News February 2004 vol. 13, no. 1 25 Bears in Culture Hunting for Common Ground, cont’d.

tion at the [Recreation Area] is not advocacy groups will join them in Bibliography going to be decimated, or even picking up the tab. Even something Associated Press. 12/9/03. New significantly impacted, by this bear as seemingly simple as providing Jersey Opens First Bear Hunt in 33 hunt.” The court was also concerned bear-proof garbage cans — when it is years. . and it concluded that “the public ing fingers and placing blame, we Burguess, K. 1/12/04. New Jersey interest favors permitting the State of should all be clear on what we are Division of Fish and Wildlife. New Jersey to conduct its limited willing to pay for when we share our Personal Interview. hunt in order to manage its wildlife backyards with wildlife. Guynup, S. 6/16/03. “New Jersey resources and hopefully promote a Plan to Lift Bear-Hunt Ban Spurs healthy and safe habitat for the Protests.” . After the six-day season closed, The Fund for Animals. 2003. roughly 5,200 licensed hunters had about a tenth of the estimated The Humane Society of the population. While it’s too soon to United States. “Lawsuit Filed know if this reduction will cause to Stop New Jersey Bear Hunt fewer bear/human conflict, it’s on Federal Land.” . hunting will remain. Despite New Jersey Division of being a cost-effective option Fish and Wildlife.2003 that offers a recreational ; that is inhumane. The alternatives, Shapiro, O. 2003. “New however, are fairly limited. NJDFW Jersey’s Bear Woes.” Outdoor Life. has a bear contraceptive trial (in partnership with HSUS) in prelimi- Siebert, C. 12/9/03. “The New nary stages, but the drug hasn’t Bear in Town.” The New York Times. been approved by the FDA for (See article on page 20.) use in bears and it carries with it a hefty price tag. Addi- tional bear habitat is being purchased and NJDFW is hopeful that animal

© Catherine Norkin

26 International Bear News February 2004 vol. 13, no. 1 Communications RISKMAN Educational Posters Population Model for Grizzly and American Black Bear Freeware

A Windows© compatible program Chris Morgan, Executive Director The Interagency Grizzly Bear Commit- named RISKMAN (RISK Insight Wildlife Management tee provided bear identification, and MANagement) for sustainability PO Box 28656 recovery ecosystem map graphics. assessment of harvested wildlife Bellingham, WA 98228-0656, USA The posters measure 16.5 x 23 inches. populations was developed over the Phone (360) 734-6060 Some are laminated for outdoor use past several years by the Nunavut Fax (360) 734-0800 (campgrounds, etc.). Unlaminated Department of Sustainable Develop- Email [email protected] posters have a tear-off section that ment and the Ontario Ministry of contains “Tips for living, hiking, and Natural Resources, Canada. This New educational posters are available camping in bear country” so that people population model specifically for use in Washington, Idaho, Wyoming can take that information with them. accounts for the extended parental and Montana. The posters were designed We’re a small outfit with limited labor care and multi-year reproductive and produced by Insight Wildlife resources so we’re looking for additional cycle of bears — options allow Management, with funding from the ways to distribute the posters efficiently selection of two or three year World Society for the Protection of throughout the four states. If you have breeding intervals for modeling black Animals. They can be provided for the ideas, please let me know. For example, if bears (two years) or brown bears and cost of shipping and handling. we could ship to central federal and state polar bears (three years). An annual The full color posters provide agency locations, or partner with other option is also available that is information on American black bears wildlife organizations for further suitable for species without extended and grizzly bears, including bear facts, distribution that would be very useful. parental care. The program may be bear identification, grizzly bear Small, low-resolution versions of the downloaded from the following recovery, and safety and sanitation posters can be viewed as pdf files: for the website hosted by Trent University, tips. One version is for use in Washing- Washington State poster — Peterborough, Ontario: ton State, while the other is for Idaho, www.insightwildlife.com/PosterWA.pdf; http://www.nrdpfc.ca/RISKMAN/. Wyoming and Montana. The Wash- and for the Idaho, Montana, Wyoming There is no charge for the software, ington poster has been approved by poster — www.insightwildlife.com/ but users are asked to register in Washington Department of Fish and PosterGeneric.pdf order to facilitate them being Wildlife and Washington State Parks. notified about updates. Information: Martyn Obbard International Studbook for the Andean Email [email protected] Bear (Tremarctos ornatus) 2000-2002 or Bruce Pond Mark A. Rosenthal and Moggridge Landscape Archi- Wildlife Research International Studbook Keeper tects) and Riva, C. (Architect), The and Development Section Lincoln Park Zoo design of First Impressions, a new Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources 2001 N. Clark Street multi-species enclosure at Jersey Zoo. 300 Water St. Chicago, IL 60614, USA Desbiez, Arnaud and Jardin, T., Peterborough, ON K9J 8M5, Canada. Published by The Lincoln Park Centre d’Etude et de Recherche Zoological Society. 365 pages. Parts in Zoologique Augeron (CERZA), The English, Spanish, German and Russian. Spectacled Bear Exhibit at CERZA. Contents: Kolter, Lydia (Kölner Zoo), Having a Panda Cub on Web • Changes in Andean Bear Popula- closer look at bears in zoos and in tion: births, deaths and transfers the wild— the spectacled bear The new panda cub at the San 2000-2002. project in Chaparri. Diego Zoo, San Diego, California, • Official Historical Registration of No author, Some ethological aspects USA, is on the web. View the panda all Andean bears. of Tremarctos ornatus “Andean cub at PandaCam at • Living Animals Collection. bear” in captivity. www.sandiegozoo.org. • Article Section: • Directory of Spectacled Bear Holding. Cowan, K. (Durrell Wildlife Conser- • Information of Bear Related vation Trust), Darwent, M. (Colvin Organizations and Internet Sites.

International Bear News February 2004 vol. 13, no. 1 27 Events

Announcing CMI’s Spring 2004 Events

CMI Annual Researchers’ Meeting and Annual General Meeting April 28, 2004 Cost: $45.00 + GST for CMI Members Senior’s Centre, Nakusp, British Columbia, Canada $55.00 + GST for non-members $35.00 + GST for students

Every year CMI members get together to hear about ecological research and related new initiatives in southeastern British Columbia. Members provide updates on their projects, catch up on the news, and identify areas for collaboration. It’s an informal atmosphere and non-CMI members are welcome. Call for Presenters Closes April 2.

Wildlife Chemical Immobilization and Post Mortem Course April 27-30, 2004 Cost: $600.00 + GST University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, B.C., Canada

The CMI is assisting the University of Northern British Columbia to host a three day course on wildlife chemical immo- bilization, followed by a one day session on how to perform a post mortem on wildlife under field conditions. Details will be posted at www.unbc.ca/conted.

Applying DNA Methods to the Study of Wildlife Distribution and Abundance May 3-6, 2004 Cost: $600.00 + GST New Grand Hotel, Nelson, British Columbia, Canada

DNA collection and analysis has become part of many ecological and taxonomic studies of mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish. Topics covered in this course include: modern advances in DNA technology; methods to identify species, sex, individuals, and populations; and use of DNA data in animal inventory, census, and monitoring projects.

Statistics for Biologists — A Refresher Course May 11-13, 2004 Cost: $500.00 + GST, plus $100 for software Coast Hillcrest Hotel, Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada

Been a long time since your last statistics course? This refresher course is for you! Includes: a review of the basic sam- pling and experimental designs used by ecologists; understanding what can and cannot be extracted from a set of data; and common pitfalls in the analysis of data. Learn how to use the highly recommended JMP-IN software (software cost is $100).

For more details and to register, visit www.cmiae.org or call the CMI office in Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada at (250) 837-9311.

28 International Bear News February 2004 vol. 13, no. 1 Events Carnivores 2004 AZA Regional Workshops Eastern Regional Workshop Western Regional Workshop

Expanding Partnerships in Unlimited Potential — Under Construction: Carnivore Conservation Limited Resources Conservation in Progress Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA Louisville Zoo, Santa Barbara Zoo, November 14-17, 2004 Louisville, Kentucky, USA Santa Barbara, CA, USA May 12-15, 2004 March 17-20, 2004 Call for Papers Defenders of Wildlife is pleased to Papers, workshops and panel The Western Regional Workshop at announce our fifth biennial carni- discussions will focus on doing a lot the Santa Barbara Zoo is quickly vore conservation conference. with tight budgets, limited time and approaching. Deadline for early Defenders is accepting oral (15 personnel. Share the “what” and registration is February 16, 2004. minute talk) and poster presentation “how” from conservation projects to After February 16, a late fee of $25 submissions. Abstract submissions exhibits to events and marketing per person will apply. must be received by 1 June 2004. campaigns. Topics include: Register While the conference focus is on • Animal Health and Management Download a registration form at partnerships in conservation, we will • Orangutan Training Workshop www.aza.org under conferences/ consider any papers covering topics • Strategic Preparedness workshops. such as biology, behavior, taxonomy, • Strategic Philanthropy Questions? general ecology, recovery, manage- • Education and Theater Partnerships Please contact Sue McCue, Santa ment, and economic impacts of • Conservation Partnerships Barbara Zoo, email [email protected]. terrestrial, avian and marine carnivore For developing or moderating a Room Reservation species (canids, bears, cats, session, presenting a paper, hosting a Make your reservation today and mesocarnivores, raptors, whales, workshop or leading a panel discussion, mention AZA to receive the group dolphins, sharks, etc.). contact: John Walczak ((502) 238-5335, rate! Rooms will be released on Visit the conference website [email protected]) or February 10th! www.carnivoreconference.org or leave Marcelle Gianelloni ((502) 238-5328, Fess Parker’s Doubletree Resort a message at (202) 789-2844 x315 for [email protected]). Santa Barbara, California, USA complete Carnivores 2004 and 800-879-2929 reservations abstract submission details. 805-564-4333 phone 805-564-4964 fax Airline Bayou Teche Bear Festival Use AZA’s group discount number! Franklin, Louisiana, USA American Airlines (800) 433-1790, April 17-18, 2004 Star File #A1434AI. Program The first Bayou Teche Bear Festival The Bayou Tech Bear Festival is Papers, workshops and panel will celebrate the Louisiana black being organized by volunteers discussions will focus on how and bear, a native of St. Mary Parish and interested in regional wildlife and what zoos are building, bringing currently on the U.S. endangered economic development. The purpose conservation programs to new levels. species list as threatened. of the festival is to highlight the Sessions include: The two-day festival will include Louisiana black bear, increase public • Keynote Speaker, John Cleese. educational exhibits and seminars, awareness of its presence, educate • Building Conservation Partnerships field trips to nearby Bayou Teche the public about living with the bear, • Can Zoos Go Pop? National Wildlife Refuge, and live and making it an asset to the city of Pop Culture and Your Programs. music, arts and crafts, art exhibit, film Franklin and St. Mary Parish. • Oceans Session. festival, teddy bear repair clinic, 5k Information: run/walk, and much more. Karla Byron Most activities will be held in the Phone (985) 395-3126 downtown historic district and are free. Email [email protected] Website www.bayoutechebearfest.org

International Bear News February 2004 vol. 13, no. 1 29 Events 16th International Conference on Bear Research and Management September 27-October 1, 2005 Trento, Italy

Claudio Groff the Provincia Autonoma di Trento, Email [email protected] and the National Wildlife Institute Provincia Autonoma di Trento, with the support of Slovenian Servizio Faunistico authorities. So far 10 individuals, Via Trener n. 3 captured in Slovenia, have been 38100 Trento, Italy released. An adult female died in Phone +39 0461 494961 winter 2001 under an avalanche; the Fax +39 0461 494972 first two cubs were born in 2002 and & two more this year. Piero Genovesi Trento has 101,000 inhabitants National Wildlife Institute and is located in the Adige valley, Via Ca’ Fornacetta 9 very close to the bears’ range, in the I-40064 Ozzano Emilia BO, Italy most spectacular region of the entire Fax ++39 051 796628 Alpine arch, between Lake Garda and Email [email protected] the Dolomites. It is a very charming town, with plentiful historical The 16th IBA conference is being monuments and museums, castles organized by the Provincia and sanctuaries, wine cellars and Autonoma di Trento and the Na- restaurants, and opportunities for tional Wildlife Institute. The meeting archeological, historical and nature is being chaired by Romano Masé, tours. In Trento there is a very active head of Wildlife Service, Provincia university, and the town hosts Autonoma di Trento; with co-chairs several important festivals and Piero Genovesi, National Wildlife meetings. Institute; and Claudio Groff, Wildlife The town is on a major motor- Service Provincia Autonoma di way, 244 km from Milan, 153 km Trento. from Venice (where we plan to Trento is the chief town of the organize an excursion). It is also well area where the last autochthonous connected by train with Austria. The bears of the Alps survive. Since 1999, closest airports are Verona (103 km) a translocation of bears was started and Bolzano (50 km). 9th Western by the Adamello Brenta Natural Park, We look forward to meeting you Black Bear all in our wonderful mountains! Workshop 2006

Rick Winslow Large Carnivore Biologist 18th Eastern Black Bear Workshop 2005 New Mexico Dept. of Game and Fish PO Box 25112, #1 Wildlife Way The Florida Fish and Wildlife Stephanie Simek Santa Fe, NM 87505, USA Conservation Commission will host Assistant/Acting Bear Management Phone (505) 268-6347 or (505) 476-8046 the 18th Eastern Black Bear Work- Section Leader Email [email protected] shop. Tentative plans are for the Florida Fish and Wildlife meeting to be held in central Florida, Conservation Commission The New Mexico Department of mid-March 2005. Details will be Bryant Building Game and Fish and Philmont Scout reported as they develop. For more 620 S. Meridian Street Ranch are hosting the 9th Western information contact: Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600, USA Black Bear Workshop, tentatively Phone (850) 413-7379 scheduled for spring 2006. Details Fax (850) 921-1847 will be provided as they develop. Email [email protected]

30 International Bear News February 2004 vol. 13, no. 1 IBA Officers & Council

Harry Reynolds, President* Andrew Derocher* Chuck Schwartz* Alaska Department of Fish and Game Department of Biological Science Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team 1300 College Road University of Alberta Forestry Sciences Lab, Montana State Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E9, Canada University Phone (907) 459-7238 Phone 1 780 492 5570 Bozeman, MT 59717, USA Fax (907) 451-9723 Fax 1 780 492 9234 Phone (406) 994-5043 Email Email [email protected] Fax (406) 994-6416 [email protected] Email [email protected] Isaac Goldstein^ Jon Swenson PO Box 833 Michael R. Vaughan^ Vice President for Eurasia^ IPOSTEL Merida Virginia Cooperative Department of Ecology and Estado Merida, Venezuela Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Natural Resource Management Phone 58-414-7176792 148 Cheatham Hall, Virginia Tech Agricultural University of Norway Email [email protected] Blacksburg, VA 24061-0321, USA Postbox 5003 Phone (540) 231-5046 N-1432 Ås, Norway John Hechtel* Fax (540) 231-7580 Phone 47 64 94 85 30 Alaska Department of Fish and Game Email [email protected] Fax 47 64 94 85 02 1800 Glenn Highway, Suite 4 Email [email protected] Palmer, AK 99645, USA Teresa DeLorenzo (non-voting) Phone (907) 746-6331 International Bear News Editor Sterling Miller Fax (907) 746-6305 10907 N.W. Copeland St. Vice President for Americas* Email [email protected] Portland, OR 97229, USA National Wildlife Federation Phone (503) 643-4008 240 North Higgins, Suite 2 Djuro Huber^ Fax (503) 643-4072 Missoula, MT 59802, USA University of Zagreb Email [email protected] Phone (406) 721-6705 Biology Department, Veterinary Faculty Fax (406) 721-6714 Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb Diana Doan-Crider (non-voting) Email [email protected] Republic of Croatia IBA Student Affairs Coordinator Phone 385 1 2390 141 Caesar Kleberg Joseph Clark, Secretary* Fax 385 1 244 1390 Wildlife Research Institute U.S. Geological Survey Email [email protected] MSC 218 Southern Appalachian Field Laboratory Texas A&M University-Kingsville University of Tennessee, 274 Bruce McLellan, Past President* Kingsville, TX 78363-8202, USA Ellington Hall British Columbia Forest Service Phone (361) 593-3959 or 593-3922 Knoxville, TN 37996, USA Research Branch Fax (361) 593-3924 Phone (865) 974-4790 RPO #3, Box 9158 Email [email protected] Fax (865) 974-3555 Revelstoke, B.C. V0E 3K0, Canada Email [email protected] Phone (250) 837-7767 Richard B. Harris (non-voting) Fax (250) 837-7626 Ursus Editor Frank van Manen, Treasurer* Email [email protected] 218 Evans U.S. Geological Survey Missoula, MT 59801, USA Southern Appalachian Field Laboratory Karen Noyce* Phone & Fax (406) 542-6399 University of Tennessee, 274 Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources Email [email protected] Ellington Hall 1201 East Highway 2 Knoxville, TN 37996, USA Grand Rapids, MN 55744, USA Phone (865) 974-0200 Phone (218) 327-4432 Fax (865) 974-3555 Fax (218) 327-4181 Email [email protected] Email [email protected] *term expires 2004 ^term expires 2005

International Bear News February 2004 vol. 13, no. 1 31 Bear Specialist Group About the Bear Specialist Group and Expert Teams

The World Conservation Union’s The core of the BSG is Expert consultation with the Grants Pro- (IUCN) mission is “to influence, Teams of knowledgeable and effec- gram Committee and submitted to encourage and assist societies tive individuals who have expertise potential funders. In the future, the throughout the world to conserve for each bear species. These have been Expert Teams will publish their the integrity and diversity of nature formed for each of the seven bear assessments of crucial conservation and to ensure that any use of natural species, plus a team to deal with trade issues in International Bear News and resources is equitable and ecologi- in bear parts issues. Because of the any individual or group, including cally sustainable.” Through its distribution of brown bears, two teams but not limited to the Expert Teams, Species Survival Commission (SSC), have be formed. There will be separate will be invited to submit proposals IUCN-established Specialist Groups teams for American black bears and for project funding to the Grants determine the population status and North American brown bears. Program to address those issues. risk potential for most plant and During the last three months, each Individuals within the range of animal species. Because IBA is a Expert Team of the Bear Specialist any bear species who may be able to recognized leader in bear conserva- Group identified important conser- help with the duties of the Expert tion and our goals mirror most of vation needs for the species and Teams are encouraged to contact the those for Specialist Groups, IUCN/ range of their responsibility and team chair(s). Anyone involved in SSC asked IBA to appoint and adminis- submitted project proposals for bear conservation, research or ter the Bear Specialist Group, for all consideration for inclusion in the management within the range of a bear species except polar bears because Bear Conservation Fund initiative. specific species can strengthen the it is a treaty-regulated species. These were evaluated by the Eco- impact of their work by coordinating nomic Development Committee in with the appropriate Expert Team.

Bear Specialist Group Expert Team Members

Chair Andean Bear Sloth Bear Harry Reynolds Francisco Cuesta Shyamala Ratnayeke ([email protected]) ([email protected]) ([email protected]) & Vice Chair Asiatic Black Bear K. Yoganand Bruce McLellan Dave Garshelis ([email protected]) ([email protected]) ([email protected]) Sun Bear Brown Bear — Asia Gabriella Fredriksson Mikhail Kretchmar ([email protected]) ([email protected]) & & Siew Te Wong S. Sathyakumar ([email protected]) ([email protected]) Trade in Bear Parts Brown bear—Europe Christopher Servheen Djuro Huber ([email protected]) ([email protected]) & Polar Bear Specialist Group Jon Swenson The BSG coordinates with the ([email protected]) Polar Bear Specialist Group, chaired by: Panda Bear Scott Schliebe Lu Zhi ([email protected]) ([email protected])

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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 700 members from about 60 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.

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Deadline for the May 2004 issue is April 15, 2004 printed with soy-based ink on Vanguard Recycled Plus chlorine-free, acid-free, 10% hemp or flax, 90% post-consumer waste paper