International News Quarterly Newsletter of the International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) and IUCN/SSC Bear Specialist Group November 2006 Vol. 15 no. 4 © Yorgos Mertzanis © Yorgos Tracking the Status of Conservation in Greece, page 12

IBA websites: www.bearbiology.org www.bearbiology.com website: www.ursusjournal.com Table of Contents

Council News 20 in Andean ? 3 From the President 20 Andean Bears Jump from Treetops 5 Research and Conservation Grants Captive Bears Bear Specialist Group 21 IBBR Finally Gets Solid Roof 5 Membership of the BSG vs. IBA Over Main Bear Enclosure 7 Bear Specialist Group 22 Conservation Education: Water’s Edge Exhibit at the Pittsburgh & Aquarium Opinion 8 The Future for Polar Bears in a Declining Student Forum Ice Environment: what do we know? 23 Viva Mexico! Here We Come 11 Is Dedication Alone Enough to Save Bears 23 Student List Serve (Truman) in Greece? Bears in Culture Eurasia 24 Pining for the Plains Grizzly in Kansas, or, 12 Brown Bear Status in Greece: J____ S____ has Six Toes!! 20 years of conservation efforts, 1985-2005 14 Gaining and Maintaining Public Publications Acceptance of the Brown Bear in Croatia 26 Recent Bear Literature 15 Human- Conflict: 26 Ursus News: what an impact a threat to sloth 17 Asiatic Black Bears Northeastern China Communications 27 AIBS Diversity Scholars Program Americas 17 Black Bears Management Events Program 27 18th International Conference 18 Determining the Impact of Relocation on Bear Research and Management on Nuisance Florida Black Bears 30 19th Eastern Black Bear Workshop in Central Florida 30 10th Western Black Bear Workshop 18 Ecology of the Florida Black Bear 30 2007 Captive Bear Husbandry and at the Urban-Wildland Interface Welfare Symposium of the 18 Groups Take New Approach IBA to Deal with Beeyard Bears in Louisiana 31 IBA Membership Application 19 Relationship Between Charr 33 IBA Publications Order Form (Salvenlinus alpinus) and Polar Bears 35 IBA Officers and Council (Ursus maritimus) 36 IBA Mission Statement

Cover photo courtesy of Yorgos Mertzanis

International Bear News, ISSN #1064-1564, quarterly newsletter of the International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) Editors: Matt Durnin (Managing), Janissa Balcomb (Layout/Design), Jordan Schaul (Correspondence), Jim Tomlin (Production/Distribution), Tanya Rosen (Translation) PO Box 462, Brookeville MD 20833 USA, Phone: +1 415-321-8369, Fax: +1 415-321-8637 Email: [email protected], Websites: 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 about 750 words are preferred, and photos, drawings, and charts are appreciated. Submissions to [email protected] are preferred; otherwise, mail or fax to the address above. IBA reserves the right to accept, reject, and edit submissions. Deadline for the February 2007 issue is January 5, 2007 Thank you to everyone who contributed to this issue. Artwork is copyrighted – do not reproduce without permission. Membership Use the form on page 31 to order or renew memberships, make donations, and/or update member information.  International Bear News November 2006, vol. 15 no. 4 Council News Nearly 400 participants from over including the Japanese Forestry From the President 40 countries made this, the 17th Agency, Nagano Prefecture, Ka- IBA Conference, the largest event ruizawa township, the Mammalogical Piero Genovesi completely dedicated to bears ever Society of Japan, the Japanese Society Vice President for Eurasia held Asia. Asia is home to six of the of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, the INFS – Italian Wildlife Institute world’s eight bear species as well as Wildlife Conservation Society, NPO Via Ca’ Fornacetta 9 a large number of the world’s human Picchio, the Japan Bear Network, the I-40064 Ozzano Emilia BO population, creating a sometimes Brown Bear Society, WWF Japan, the Italy unique and always challenging situa- 21st Century COE Program of Gifu Phone: +39 051 6512228 tion for bear conservation. University, Shiretoko Nature Founda- Fax: +39 051 796628 The conference venue at the tion, the Japan Committee for IUCN, Email: [email protected] Hoshino Resort, in the beautiful resort the Nature Conservation Society of town of Karuizawa, was spectacular. Japan, and the Oze Preservation Foun- First IBA conference in Asia Thanks to the efforts of the organiz- dation. The Hoshino Resort provided For the first time in its history, the ers, Toshiki Aoi (Chair) and Koji substantial support to the conference IBA held one of its international con- Yamazaki (Secretary General), along and provided a unique opportunity for ferences in Asia. I want to stress how with the support of Yoshikazu Sato, participants to experience and gain important this is for the future of our Junpei Tanaka, and their staff, the valuable insight to Japanese culture, as association and, I hope, also for the five-day event was extremely fruitful well as experience Japan’s wonderful future of bears. It is critical that the and pleasant. On behalf of the IBA, I natural environment. IBA works more closely with Asian want to express our sincere thanks to The conference location in Ka- institutions and experts, strengthen- all these people for having made our ruizawa provided conference par- ing its membership in this region five-day conference such a success. ticipants with access not only to the and using its network of experts and Interest in the topic of our con- surrounding woods and wildlife, but organizations to support the many ference drew support from many it provided an interesting example of conservation and research programs Japanese agencies and organizations the challenges associated with human active in Asia.

Harry Reynolds speaks at a student session

IBA President opens the banquet with Japanese hosts

Piero Genovesi and Jon Swenson, IBA Council working session during traditional Japanese lunch current and former Eurasian Vice Presidents Photos by Piero Genovesi, Djuro Huber, and Diana Doan-Crider

International Bear News November 2006, vol. 15 no. 4  Harry Reynolds giving student presentation award to Muhammad Ali from Pakistan

Mid-conference field trip

“Wow! Who knew bears could fly!”

Jon Swenson helping to make the Japanese rice cake

Student session Bear-proof garbage bin

Photos by Piero Genovesi, Djuro Huber, and Diana Doan-Crider

 International Bear News November 2006, vol. 15 no. 4 Council News and bear coexistence. Many Asiatic IBA and the IUCN Bear Specialist to be some changes to forms or black bears live in close proximity to Group. procedures. humans in this community, and local In his closing remarks, Harry • Remember to ask potential wildlife managers have subsequently Reynolds (IBA President), sent a sin- references whether or not they developed an effective bear manage- cere thank you out to the conference will be willing and able to pro- ment program utilizing, among other organizers and invited all conference vide reference information. Be things, bear aversion techniques, participants to attend the 18th IBA sure to give them a copy of the public awareness, and techniques to Conference in Monterrey, Mexico, proposal well in advance of the prevent habituation of bears. next year deadline. (See the RCG section The generous support of sponsors in the last International Bear and the dedication of conference News.) organizers made possible the at- Research and Note the comments below regard- tendance of many participants from ing new format for the first page of a countries in Asia with some of the Conservation proposal. Be sure to include: most endangered bear populations in the world, such as Pakistan, Mongolia, Grants 1. Title of the project; Laos, and Cambodia. The presence of Fred Dean 2. Name and contact informa- such a diversity of Asian bear experts Chair, Research and Conservation tion of person submitting the resulted in many very interesting dis- Grants Committee proposal; cussions of the different conservation 810 Ballaine Road 3. Summary (300 words maxi- priorities in this region of the world Fairbanks AK 99709-6606, USA mum) that includes the objec- and of the various alternatives to bear Email: deansfs@.net tives, the study area, species of management applied in the different Phone: +1 907-479-6607 bear(s), and a brief statement countries. To capitalize on location as to why the work is needed. as well as the diversity of expertise Thank you to those who have sent 4. Budget summary (total from present, the conference hosted a in reports of work funded by IBA all sources; amount requested session dedicated to “understanding grants. I hope to be able to post some from IBA in this proposal; Asian bears and their future”. During of the material on the IBA Website in amount of IBA money to be this session, experts from all over Asia the near future. used for: salaries and wages, reported on the status of bear popula- Some reminders: supplies and lab work, travel, tions in their respective countries equipment with a value over and on the challenges for future bear • Be sure to check the Research US$500). conservation. Additionally, several and Conservation Grants (RSG) If you have questions after review- technical meetings held before and web pages frequently as we ap- ing the information on the RCG pages after the conference successfully proach the time to submit pro- of the IBA Website, please feel free to strengthened the links between the posals for Research and Conser- vation Grants. There are likely contact me. Bear Specialist Group

(IBA) and the IUCN Bear Specialist Alaska (USA) exceeds that from Membership of the Group (BSG) have closely overlapping Asia plus South America. BSG vs. IBA missions; however, their memberships • All Red-listed species of bears differ greatly. Here are a few interest- occur in Asia and South Amer- Dave Garshelis ing facts in that regard. ica. & • 53% of Bear Specialist Group • 75% of all IBA members are Bruce McLellan (BSG) members reside in Asia or from the USA and . Co-chairs IUCN Bear Specialist South America. • 5 of the 8 species of bears do not Group • All BSG members from the USA occur in the USA or Canada. Email: [email protected] and Canada have worked on • The number of IBA members [email protected] bears outside these two coun- from the state of Montana tries. (USA) equals the number from The International Association all of Asia. The number from for Bear Research and Management

International Bear News November 2006, vol. 15 no. 4  Bear Specialist Group • Nearly two-thirds of BSG members are not members of the IBA. The biggest distinction between the two groups may be that the IBA is a more science-centered organization, hosting science-based conferences and publishing the scientific journal Ursus, whereas the BSG is more conserva- tion-focused with much less emphasis in places where bears are relatively secure. However, the IBA has raised funds that have been used for BSG- affiliated conservation projects. Among bear biologists, the IBA is far better known, with a history dating to 1968. Among conservation- ists, IUCN Specialist Groups are better known; however, the BSG in its present form is rather new, with the current membership developed only over the past two years. Differences in the focus and development of these two organiza- tions explain the differences in their memberships. First, because IBA is a science-cen- tered organization, its membership is drawn from students and profession- als involved in bear research. Because such research generally requires a Figure 1. Comparison of membership of IBA and BSG. significant funding base as well as BSG members were specifically chosen to conduct needed conservation work in Asia and higher education, most bear biology South America. The BSG currently has 126 members, one-fourth that of the IBA (data excludes institutional IBA members such as libraries) is conducted in wealthier countries. Likewise, most active bear manage- ment occurs in wealthier countries where legal sport for bears is of the Asian IBA members are from conservation of specific species or popular. Hence, most bear biologists Japan. In contrast, membership in topics (see following article); although and managers are from these few the BSG is free, so cost is not an issue; the BSG includes experts on North wealthy countries. however, this also means that the BSG American bears (including Mexico), Second, membership in the IBA has no operating funds of its own. we have not established any North costs US$50 per year, although Third, BSG members are appoint- American teams, given the vast reduced-cost membership is also ed. Thus, the number of members amount of work already being done available for those unable to afford and the geographic representation of on bears on that continent. Many standard membership. IBA depends those members are controlled. An North Americans are members of the upon membership dues in order to intentional effort was made to focus Polar Bear Specialist Group, which is produce Ursus and this newsletter, attention in parts of the world where distinct from the BSG. International Bear News (IBN). Some bear conservation is more needed. Finally, all BSG members are biologists in less-affluent countries, Some biologists who might like to expected to actively participate on especially in Asia and South America, have been members of the BSG were conservation initiatives. They may be who might like to be IBA members not appointed because there was called upon for opinions, for reviews and thus receive Ursus and IBN, are already adequate representation from of proposals, and to share data. An probably deterred by the cost. Telling their country. The BSG has developed example is the current Asian bear in this regard is that more than 60% “expert teams” that work toward mapping and range-wide priority set-

 International Bear News November 2006, vol. 15 no. 4 Bear Specialist Group ting initiative. BSG members from all Sloth Bear Expert Team Co-chairs Asian countries were asked to provide Bear Specialist N.P.S. Chauhan detailed data from their region of Group [email protected] expertise, requiring a substantial Shyamala Ratnayeke investment of time and effort. IBA The Bear Specialist Group (BSG) [email protected] membership does not require active is organized into species and topical participation. Expert Teams, each with two co- Giant Panda Expert Team Co-chairs The BSG currently has 126 mem- chairs. These co-chairs, along with Lü Zhi bers, one-fourth that of the IBA, yet some other specialists, comprise the [email protected] this membership is spread across 55 Coordinating Committee. countries, compared to only 39 for the Wang Dajun IBA (Figure 1). A few countries inhab- Coordinating Committee Co-chairs [email protected] ited by bears are still not represented Bruce McLellan within the BSG because we have yet [email protected] Andean Bear Expert Team Co-chairs to find people there with sufficient ex- Isaac Goldstein Dave Garshelis pertise. Notably, many BSG members [email protected] [email protected] are not bear experts per se, but are Ximena Velez-Liendo biologists or conservationists with an European Brown Bear Expert Team [email protected] interest and knowledge of bears, living Co-chairs in a place where no true bear experts Djuro Huber Trade in Bear Parts Expert Team Co- exist. [email protected] chairs As longtime members of the IBA Chris Servheen and recently appointed co-chairs of Jon Swenson [email protected] the BSG, we are hoping to strengthen [email protected] ties between the IBA and BSG, while Chris Shepard recognizing that there are distinct North Asian Brown Bear Expert Team [email protected] purposes for each. We see two Co-chairs avenues for improvement. John Paczkowski Captive Bears Expert Team Co-chairs First, we hope that more BSG mem- [email protected] Lydia Kolter bers will become IBA members, thus [email protected] Tsutomu Mano helping them to become better bear [email protected] Jackson Zee biologists. While IBN is available free [email protected] online (www.bearbiology.org), access South Asian Brown Bear Expert Team by many BSG members is hindered by Co-chairs Mexican Black Bear Coordinator slow internet connections. IBA and S. Sathyakumar Diana Crider BSG are currently working to make [email protected] [email protected] changes that will ensure access to the newsletter for all BSG members Ozgun Emre Can IBA Representative in the near future. Meanwhile, the [email protected] Harry Reynolds journal Ursus is only available to IBA [email protected] members (or via library subscriptions Asiatic Black Bear Expert Team Co- to BioOne). chairs Coordinating Committee Member Second, we hope that more IBA Dave Garshelis John Seidensticker members will consider working out- [email protected] [email protected] side the USA, Canada, Japan, Scandi- Mei-hsiu Hwang navia, and other areas where extensive [email protected] Polar Bear Specialist Group Chair bear research has already been Andrew Derocher conducted. Doing so may require Expert Team Co-chairs [email protected] one to volunteer time and even use Gabriella Fredriksson personal funds. Such a commitment, [email protected] however, can be very rewarding. Rob Steinmetz [email protected]

International Bear News November 2006, vol. 15 no. 4  Opinion vation of Nature (IUCN) evaluated stocks between 200,000 to 250,000 The Future for available data on status and trends in years ago (Talbot and Shields 1996). If Polar Bears in a the world’s polar bear populations. that early date is real, polar bears have Of the 18 populations recognized indeed seen temperatures warmer and Declining worldwide (not including a hypoth- colder than those of today. During Environment: esized but unsubstantiated population the LIG, summer temperatures in the in the central polar basin), the PBSG were 4-10°C warmer than what do we know? concluded that four populations at present (Frenzel et al. 1992, CAPE were declining, one appeared to be Last Interglacial Project Members Steven C. Amstrup declining but the decline was not 2006). These warmer temperatures Polar Bear Project Leader statistically significant, and two were are documented in the distribution USGS Alaska Science Center increasing. Five populations were of materials collected around Biological Science Office classified as stable, and six could not the world (Brigham-Grette and 1011 East Tudor Road be classified because of insufficient Hopkins 1995, Muhs et al. 2001, Anchorage AK 99503, USA data. Data firmly linking popula- Muhs et al. 2002). The much warmer Phone: +1 907-786-3424 tion reduction to warming induced temperatures of that time also are Fax: +1 907-786-3636 changes in sea ice were available only corroborated by a sea level which was Email: [email protected] for the population of Western Hudson 6-7 meters above that of current times Bay (Stirling et al. 1999, Regehr et al. (Muhs et al. 2003). Although Dr. During an April 22, 2006, interview In Prep). Some observations consis- Taylor suggested nothing has melted on the CBC radio program “The tent with climate-related nutritional the sea ice for 30 million years, some House,” Tim Flannery, author of the stress have been reported elsewhere evidence is consistent with ice free recent book “The Weathermakers,” (Amstrup et al. 2006, Monnett and summers during at least a portion of stated, “Projections of the polar bear Gleason 2006), however, and other the LIG (Brigham-Grette and Hopkins specialists are that by about 2030, as yet unpublished but disconcerting 1995, Brigham-Grette 2001). Sum- around that date, the species will be observations were noted. mers also were 2-3°C warmer than extinct because of global warming The PBSG concluded from re- present during the Holocene Thermal induced changes in the Arctic sea ported observations, predictions of Maximum of 6,000 to 11,000 years ice.” That statement was followed on changes in the sea ice, information on ago (Kaufman et al. 2004). On the May 4th by quotations in the Toronto contaminant burdens, and concerns other hand, micro and macro fos- Globe and Mail from Dr. Mitch Tay- about other perceived threats to their sils suggest summer temperatures lor, a polar bear researcher in Nuna- security, that the global population 140,000 and 20,000 years ago may vut, Canada, claiming, “polar bears of polar bears was likely to decline have been more than 10°C colder than have survived both warmer times and by 30% or more in the next 35 to 50 present (Frenzel et al. 1992, Cuffey colder times than these,” that “nothing years. The conclusion of the polar and Marshall 2000). Consistent with has melted the Arctic sea ice for 30 bear specialists was reflected in colder periods and southern extension million years,” that “polar bears are the recent decision by the IUCN to of sea ice, polar bear have been remarkably adaptable,” and that “a reclassify polar bears as “vulnerable,” found in northern (Kurtén warming climate might even benefit downgrading them from their former 1964), far south of their current range. polar bears.” classification as a “species of less Many things could have been different Flannery, a well-known Australian concern” (www.iucnredbook.org). in ancient times, and much of what ecologist and author, has written Polar bear specialists were con- the climate and sea ice were like then many books. Taylor has published cerned about the future welfare of remains unknown. In addition to numerous papers about polar bears. polar bears; however, Tim Flannery warmer and cooler times, we can only So, how is the IBA member, or the overstated those concerns in suggest- speculate on other circumstances that person on the street, to appreciate ing that polar bears could be extinct polar bears may have faced. Dr. Taylor these very different views of the polar by 2030. So, what about Dr. Taylor’s was right, however; polar bears have bears’ current and future situation? statements? survived at least one, and possibly two, Who is right? Here, I present a sum- Although polar bears are known periods warmer than now. mary of relevant information and my from the fossil record only after the But whether the current warming interpretation of what it means for the Last Interglacial period (LIG) 116,000 is good for polar bears depends where future of polar bears to 128,000 years before present, - you look and on your time-frame. Po- In June of 2005, the Polar Bear lecular genetics data suggest they may lar bears are entirely dependent upon Specialist Group (PBSG) of the have become sea ice specialists and the sea ice because it is only from that International Union for the Conser- separated from parental brown bear platform that they are able to harvest

 International Bear News November 2006, vol. 15 no. 4 Opinion

the bounty from the sea. Polar bears harshest portions of the species’ range shifting to a land-based life-style. have developed flexible strategies to may benefit from reductions of sea Much of the terrestrial habitat survive on ice conditions which vary ice extent or thickness. Heavier than adjacent to current polar bear ranges greatly across the Arctic (Amstrup normal ice conditions in the Canadian already is full of grizzly bears which 2003). Their current year-round during the mid 1970’s are adapted to feeding on the available distribution includes areas where sea resulted in reductions in polar bear terrestrial foods and which would ice is seasonal. There, polar bears productivity that persisted in the co- therefore be effective competitors. are “stuck” on land and food deprived hort structure for many years (Stirling Even without competition, the low for extended periods each year. The et al. 1977, Amstrup et al. 1986). This productivity of most arctic terrestrial population of western observation suggests bears living in habitats also would prevent current is the best known example of this. areas where the ice is consistently polar bear populations from making Other polar bears live in some of the heavy might regularly be on the edge a go of it on land. Throughout their harshest and most northerly climes of of population maintenance, and range, polar bears are as large as the the world where the sea is largely ice they may indeed benefit from milder largest of the brown bears (those covered year-round. conditions. which occur on Kodiak Island and It may not be surprising that the Regardless of the fact that some the Alaska Peninsula). Polar bears first population showing confirmed populations may be stressed while have become so large because seals declines due to recently warmer others benefit when the climate starts and other marine , which temperatures is one which already was to warm, continued warming can only they can catch at the sea ice surface, exposed to prolonged periods of food reduce the area cover of sea ice (where provide an incredibly rich food source. deprivation. Polar bears that spend polar bears can hunt for their food) Abundant and rich food (salmon) also part of the summer on land in four and the amount of time polar bears explains the large size of those Kodiak other areas also are enduring longer have access to that ice. Temporal and and Alaska Peninsula brown bears. periods of food deprivation. Some spatial reductions in sea ice cover Terrestrial foods to which land-locked of these already may be facing nutri- ultimately mean a reduced carrying bears may have access in the Arctic, tional stresses (Stirling and Parkinson capacity for polar bears. however, will not support bears of this 2006). On the other hand, polar bears Polar bears are not likely to com- size. Recent studies of bear nutrition inhabiting the most northerly and pensate for loss of sea ice habitat by suggest that large bears simply cannot

International Bear News November 2006, vol. 15 no. 4  Opinion gather and process enough low quality numbers and distribution clearly will predicted warming so that managers food fast enough to maintain body be much reduced from present. Short can adapt their strategies to the poten- condition (Welch et al. 1997, Rode of that eventuality and in the short tial needs of polar bears in the future. et al. 2001, Robbins et al. 2004). These run, it seems likely that there will be physiological studies are corroborated gainers and losers among currently Literature Cited by the observation that arctic grizzly defined populations of polar bears. In Amstrup, S. C. 2003. Polar bear. bears are the smallest and occur at the regions where sea ice is already sea- Pages 587-610 in G. A. Feldhammer, lowest densities of any of the brown sonally volatile, polar bears are likely B. C. Thompson, and J. A. Chap- bears (Miller et al. 1997). Places to face nutritional problems early in man, editors. Wild Mammals of where marine mammals or other rich the process of climate warming. In North America. Biology, Manage- food sources are predictably accessible other areas, moderation of heavy sea ment, and Conservation, second from shore may allow some polar ice conditions may benefit bears, at edition. Johns Hopkins University bears to survive. Successfully fitting least in the near term. Continued Press.

whole populations of very large polar warming, however, will likely elicit Amstrup, S. C., I. Stirling, and bears into habitats that currently transitory effects where some popula- J. W. Lentfer. 1986. Past and support only small numbers of small tions move beyond benefitting from present status of polar bears in brown bears, however, just doesn’t a warming climate to suffering from Alaska. Wildlife Society Bulletin. seem likely. it. Current research is focused on 14(3):241-254. understanding whether and how such Amstrup, S. C., I. Stirling, T. S. Smith, The Bottom Line hypothesized changes may occur. The C. Perham, and G. W. Thiemann. If summer sea ice were to disappear fact that we don’t know how polar 2006. Recent observations of intra- in a hundred years, as some predict it bears survived warm periods in the specific and cannibalism may (Overpeck et al. 2005), polar bear past mandates that we try to under- among polar bears in the southern stand how they respond to present and

10 International Bear News November 2006, vol. 15 no. 4 Opinion Beaufort Sea. Polar Biology. elec- K. Titus, V. G. Barnes, Jr., R. B. Rode, K. D., C. T. Robbins, and L. tronic paper DOI 10.1007/s00300- Smith, R. R. Nelson, W. B. Ballard, A. Shipley. 2001. Constraints on 006-0142-5. 6 pages and C. C. Schwartz. 1997. Brown herbivory by grizzly bears. Oecolo- Brigham-Grette, J. 2001. New per- and black bear density estimation gia 128:62-71. spectives on Beringian Quaternary in Alaska using radiotelemetry and Stirling, I., W. R. Archibald, and D. paleogeography, stratigraphy, and replicated mark-resight techniques. DeMaster. 1977. Distribution glacial history. Quaternary Science Wildlife Monographs 133:1-55. and abundance of seals in the Reviews 20:15-24. Monnett, C., and J. S. Gleason. 2006. eastern Beaufort Sea. Journal of the Brigham-Grette, J., and D. M. Hop- Observations of mortality associat- Fisheries Research Board of Canada kins. 1995. Emergent marine ed with extended open-water swim- 34:976-988. record and paleoclimate of the last ming by polar bears in the Alaskan Stirling, I., N. J. Lunn, and J. Iacozza. interglaciation along the north- Beaufort Sea. Polar Biology. 1999. Long-term trends in the west Alaskan coast. Quaternary Muhs, D. R., T. A. Ager, and J. E. population ecology of polar bears in Research 43:159-173. Begét. 2001. Vegetation and western Hudson Bay in relation to CAPE Last Interglacial Project Mem- paleoclimate of the last interglacial climatic change. Arctic 52:294-306. bers. 2006. Last Interglacial arctic period, central Alaska. Quaternary Stirling, I. and C. L. Parkinson. 2006. warmth confirms polar amplifica- Science Reviews 20:41-61. Possible effects of climate warming tion of . Quaternary Muhs, D. R., K. R. Simmons, and B. on selected populations of polar Science Reviews 25:1383-1400. Steinke. 2002. Timing and warmth bears (Ursus maritimus) in the Ca- Cuffey, K. M., and S. J. Marshall. of the last interglacial period: new nadian Arctic. Arctic 59:261-275. 2000. Substantial contribution U-series evidence from Hawaii and Talbot, S. L., and G. F. Shields. 1996. to sea-level rise during the last Bermuda and a new fossil compila- Phylogeography of brown bears interglacial from the ice tion for North America. Quater- (Ursus arctos) of Alaska and sheet. Nature 404:591-594. nary Science Reviews 21:1355-1383. within the Ursidae. Mo- Frenzel, B., M. Pecsi, and A. A. Muhs, D. R., J. F. Wehmiller, K. R. lecular Phylogenetics and Evolution Velichko. 1992. Atlas of paleocli- Simmons, and L. L. York. 2003. 5:477-494. mates and paleoenvironments of Quaternary sea-level history of the Welch, C. A., J. Keay, K. C. Kendall, the northern hemisphere. Late . Development in and C. T. Robbins. 1997. Con- - Holocene. Budapest, Quaternary Science 1:147-183. straints on frugivory by bears. Stuttgart, Geographical Research Overpeck, J. T., M. Sturm, J. A. Ecology 78(4):1105-1119. Institute, Hungarian Academy of Francis, D. K. Perovich, M. C. Sciences, Budapest. 4382. Serreze, R. Benner, E. C. Carmack, Kaufman, D. S., T. A. Ager, N. J. F. S. Chapin III, S. C. Gerlach, L. Anderson, P. M. Anderson, J. T. An- C. Hamilton, L. D. Hinzman, M. Is Dedication Alone drews, P. J. Bartlein, L. B. Brubaker, Holland, H. P. Huntington, J. R. Key, Enough to Save L. L. Coats, L. C. Cwynar, M. L. A. H. Lloyd, G. M. MacDonald, J. Duvall, A. S. Dyke, M. E. Edwards, McFadden, D. Noone, T. D. Prowse, Bears in Greece? W. R. Eisner, K. Gajewski, A. P. Schlosser, and C. Vörösmarty. Alexandros A. Karamanlidis Geirsdóttir, F. S. Hu, A. E. Jennings, 2005. Arctic system on trajectory Department of Genetics M. R. Kaplan, M. W. Kerwin, A. V. to new, seasonally ice-free state. School of Biology Lozhkin, G. M. MacDonald, G. H. Eos 86(34):309, 312-313. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Miller, C. J. Mock, W. W. Oswald, Regehr, E., N. Lunn, I. Stirling, and S. 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece B. L. Otto-Bliesner, D. F. Porinchu, C. Amstrup. In Prep. Survival and Email: [email protected] K. Rühland, J. P. Smol, Steig E. J., population size of polar bears in Phone: +30 6976362844 and B. B. Wolfe. 2004. Holocene western Hudson Bay in relation to thermal maximum in the western earlier sea ice breakup. Journal of If one were to attempt to evaluate Arctic (0-180°W). Quaternary Wildlife Management. the commitment of Greece towards Science Reviews 23:529-560. Robbins, C. T., C. C. Schwartz, and the conservation of its most endan- Kurtén, B. 1964. The evolution of the L. A. Felicetti. 2004. Nutritional gered terrestrial , the brown polar bear, Ursus maritimus Phipps. ecology of ursids: a review of newer bear, this year’s evaluation would have Acta Zoologica Fennica 108:1-30. methods and management implica- little reason to paint the countries ef- Miller, S. D., G. C. , R. A. Sell- tions. Ursus 15(2):161-171. forts in brighter colors than it did last ers, H. V. Reynolds, J. W. Schoen, year. (See also Karamanlidis 2006.)

International Bear News November 2006, vol. 15 no. 4 11 Opinion With little tangible progress in the ties to post warning signs on roads State in 2006 can be regarded only effective operation of the protected frequented by the species. as sending out the wrong message. areas of the country and the second The newly founded NGO Callisto Despite the dedicated commitment of phase of the “Egnatia” monitoring (see Psaroudas et al. 2004) marked its local NGOs, one might be tempted to project still waiting to be initiated (for 2006 summer activities with the or- ask whether dedication alone will be more details, see Mertzanis 2005), ganization of two volunteer programs enough to ensure the future survival Greece has done fairly little in 2006 in the Rodopi Mountains. This area is of the species in the country. to safeguard the fate of the species. home to the small, eastern population It seems as if the official state relies nucleus of the country. Volunteers Acknowledgments on the commitment (and logistics) participated in the monitoring of I would like to thank Vaso Petridou of dedicated individuals and NGOs large in the area and in the and Lazaros Georgiadis from Arc- within the country to protect the signing of forest trails. In addition, turos and Spyros Psaroudas from Cal- species. Callisto reported the reappearance of listo for bringing the press releases of In fact, Arcturos and Callisto, two the species, after 65 years of absence, their NGOs to my attention. Valuable of Greece’s leading NGOs have been at the mountain of Oiti. This is one of information was provided also by their very active over the past few months. the most southern appearances of the respective web sites: www.arcturos.gr, Following a series of livestock dep- species on the European continent. At www.callisto.gr redation and crop damage incidents the same time, Callisto has also been in northern Greece, experts from very active in promoting its campaign References Arcturos met with local stakehold- towards a holistic approach to the Karamanlidis, A. A. 2006. 2005: a ers in order to find ways to mitigate protection of habitat of endangered year of mixed messages for the bear-human conflicts and promote and rare species of the country, such future of brown bears in Greece. adequate compensation schemes. as the bear and the . Within the International Bear News 15(1):11. Furthermore, in August, Arcturos framework of these activities, it has Mertzanis, Y. 2005. Monitoring proj- recorded the death of a female cub requested that the relevant ministry ect update on the Egnatia Highway due to a collision with a car. This is redesign and repeat conservation construction. International Bear the seventh tragic incident of its kind actions carried out in 2003-2004. News 11(1):21. in the last three years recorded by the If the year 2005 was character- Psaroudas, S., Y. Mertzanis and C. NGO, and, in view of the increasing ized as the year of mixed messages Godes. 2004. Callisto, Wildlife trend, Arcturos contacted regional (Karamanlidis 2006), the total lack and Nature Conservation Society. and national administrative authori- of initiatives for the protection of International Bear News 13(4):25. the species on behalf of the Greek

Eurasia

with core ranges located in the Pindos State authorities the precarious status Brown Bear Status (6,200 km2) and Rhodopi Mountain of brown bear in Greece. As a result in Greece: 20 years areas (2,400 km2). The Pindos popula- between 1987 and 1989 the first large tion is part of the larger Dinara-Pindos scale national conservation initiative of conservation population ranging from Slovenia into was co-financed by the EU (ACNAT). Greece. This larger population is the The initiative aimed to establish efforts, 1985-2005 largest trans-border bear population conservation actions which initially Yorgos Mertzanis, PhD Biology in South Eastern Europe. The Hellenic addressed problems related to bear- Bear researcher population constitutes the southern- human conflict. “Callisto” Wildlife & Nature Conser- most edge (below 39th parallel) of the Three additional bear conservation vation Society brown bear range in Europe. projects were co-funded by the EU 5, Nik. Foka st., Prior to the early 1980’s there had (under the LIFE Program) between GR-54621 Thessaloniki been little interest in the fate of the 1994 and 2002; marking the most Greece Hellenic brown bear population. productive and successful period Email: [email protected] However, since the early 1980’s a in brown bear conservation at the small number of research programs national level. Between 2002 and Remaining brown bear populations combined with concerns of a few 2005 a pioneer monitoring project consist of two distinct populations NGO’s have managed to alert Greek was implemented in northeast Pindos

12 International Bear News November 2006, vol. 15 no. 4 Eurasia

International Bear News November 2006, vol. 15 no. 4 13 Eurasia area to evaluate the impact of highway must still be overcome: 1) a lack of brown bear populations in Croatia is construction on brown bear habitat skilled government personnel 2) a primary goal of the government as and population connectivity. Each continued political resistance and lack is clearly stated in the “Brown bear of these projects were triggered by of political will and 3) a lack of fund- management plan for the Republic NGO’s and completed in cooperation ing. Funding is a particularly critical of Croatia”. Since August of 2006 I with national authorities. Projects problem. The European Union has have been working with Djuro Huber have consisted of systematic long term been the main source of funding for from the Biology Department of the monitoring, identification of threats brown bear conservation in Greece Veterinary Faculty of the University of to bear populations and habitat, for the last 15 years. However, as of Zagreb to help the Croatian govern- and public awareness and education 2006, limits on continued EU funding ment implement some of the key campaigns. will require a greater amount of the actions of the Croatian bear manage- Accomplishments of these projects funding for bear conservation work ment plan. Two years of funding for include the drafting of a national come from Greek authorities. our work has now been secured from “Action Plan for the Conservation It will also be critical to improve the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, and Management of brown bear in government and non-government Nature Conservation and Food Greece,” the designation of two core technical capacity in bear conserva- Quality. bear habitat areas totaling 3,500 km2 tion and management by training Often the most important bear as national parks, and the production more young scientists specializing in management decisions are those that of informational and educational wildlife management. Furthermore, result in actions that can directly materials on bear status and conserva- successful bear conservation will influence and regulate bear popula- tion. Additionally, new measures to require greater cooperation between tion sizes. Although Croatian bear minimize bear-human conflict such NGO’s, local authorities, stake-holders populations have continued to grow as greater control of vehicle traffic and specific interest groups. Finally, a since the 1950s and their conserva- on forest roads, better delineation real need for improved public aware- tion status is considered favourable, of protected areas, changes in forest ness and education on how to humans actual numbers are still not known management practices, habitat mitiga- and bears can peacefully coexist must with certainty. Current population tion measures associated with con- not be overlooked. estimates range between 600 and 1000 struction of new highways, creation individuals. Bear population sizes of a national system to compensate should naturally stabilize at a habitats farmers for loss of livestock or crop carrying capacity. However, since damage from bears, and dissemina- Gaining and bear ranges in Croatia, as in most tion of improved bear conservation places, are also inhabited by humans, and educational materials have been Maintaining Public the habitats natural carrying capacity officially incorporated in various Acceptance of the may be greater than the capacity that national legislation. is acceptable to humans (i.e. a point Over the years there have been en- Brown Bear that conflict with bears is perceived as couraging signs relating to the status in Croatia unacceptably high). In Croatia bears of brown bear populations in Greece are managed as a game and the such as an increase in bear numbers Dr. Margje Voeten management of hunted bear popula- from a minimum estimate of 80 bears Sr. Project Manager Conservation and tions in the previous half century have in 1989 to a minimum estimate of Welfare led to growth of these populations 160 bears in 1999 and signs of range Alertis fund for Bear and Nature from less than 100 bears to the cur- expansion and/or re-colonization of Conservation rent numbers. former ranges (e.g. populations in P.O. Box 9 The current Croatian bear manage- western Greece). Such positive signs 3910 AA Rhenen ment plan utilizes a quota system to are likely the result of the projects Netherlands regulate hunting of bears. However, mentioned above and should encour- Phone : +31 317 650219 current methods for setting the quota age continuation of these efforts as Fax : +31 317 613727 size are made without adequate scien- well as provide hope to experts. and Email: [email protected] tifically based estimates of the current conservationists alike. Website: www.alertis.nl bear population and subsequently A key limitation factor in the long- quotas continue to be a source of term success of bear conservation Croatia is a country of rich biodi- complaints from conservationists and efforts will always be the degree of versity, including large carnivores like hunters. Those that believe there are engagement by Greek State authori- brown bears (Ursus arctos). Conserva- too many bears believe that the quota ties. In this regard three obstacles tion and long-term maintenance of should be much higher while others

14 International Bear News November 2006, vol. 15 no. 4 Eurasia do not support any level of hunting In one particularly terrible tragedy quota, fearing that the population can Human-Sloth that occurred in the Chuabahra forest not sustain any losses. Therefore, a Bear Conflict: near the town of Marwahi in 1995, better understanding of actual bear five people, including two women, numbers is an absolute prerequisite to a threat to sloth bear were killed in a single day by a female gain and maintain public support for conservation bear. One pleasant morning in bear conservation and management January, Ms. Susheela Bai was passing plans in Croatia. Naim Akhtar through the Chuabahra forest on her The primary activity of our current Wildlife Institute of India way to the village of Khurpa when research is to use genetic techniques Dehtadun, Uttaranchal she was suddenly attacked by an adult to produce a scientifically sound esti- India, 248001 female bear. She was unable to fight mate of the Croatian bear population. Email: [email protected] off the attack and was killed. Shortly By using DNA extracted from bear after her death, Mr. Ram Jiawan and scats, it will be possible to identify The sloth bear is assumed by Mr. Nan Sahay were passing through individual bears and utilize statistical many to be a cute and playful animal. the forest when they were each procedures to estimate the population and build population viability models. We hope that this information will aid in better and scientifically informed implementation of the Croatian bear management plan. Traditionally bear managers have used counts of at feeding sites to estimate popula- tions which suffer from many biases. Utilizing estimates from genetic techniques in combination with stan- dardization of hunter’s counts should allow for a better calibration of these traditional methods and thus a better understanding of population trends. Public acceptance and expectations will be surveyed by use of a compre- hensive human dimension survey. The results of our work will then be discussed and implemented by exist- ing Croatian bear and large carnivore However, it is not what it seems. It is attacked and killed by the same bear expert teams. Final results will be highly unpredictable and a dangerous in separate incidents. In a two-hour presented to the wider public at a animal. Villagers in Chhattisgarh area period, three people had been killed special workshop, as well as by means of central India are very much aware while others in the village were of popular leaflets and brochures. At of the potential threat posed by sloth unaware of the events taking place in the international level the project will bears when venturing into the forests the forest. Later that morning, Mr. help lead to better conservation of to collect timber or other forest prod- Lamchand was grazing his cattle in European brown bears as well as help ucts, to graze their cattle, or simply to the same forest, and, as he crossed the Croatia to comply with international walk through to visit neighboring vil- spot of the previous attacks, the bear conventions (Bern, Habitat directive, lages. To avoid sloth bear encounters attacked. Fortunately, he was able to CITES) and accession to European and protect themselves from attack, fight off the attack. Hearing Mr. Lam- Union. locals will move in groups, carry an chand’s screams, Ms. Shiyam Kunwar, axe, bamboo stick, or torch, and talk also traveling through the Chuabahra or sing loudly. In spite of all this, forest from Dharhar, moved toward many human-sloth bear encounters the screams to investigate. The still occur in Chhattisgarh, resulting bear had already badly injured Mr. in injury and/or death of humans. In Lamchand, and, when she arrived at many cases, sloth bears are also killed the site of the attack, the bear turned in retaliation. and attacked her, killing her instantly. Villagers, finally hearing the screams,

International Bear News November 2006, vol. 15 no. 4 15 Eurasia buffalo over stress, may have caused the death of by hitting the the animal. body of the These incidents suggest that female buffalo with its sloth bears have very aggressive forelimbs and temperaments and get excited easily head. Once on when disturbed. Females become the ground the very aggressive, especially when they bear ripped have cubs. Bears moving into villages flesh from in search of food are a very common the body of phenomenon, and people often chase the buffalo. them off to protect their crops. Once Seeing the pursued by humans, a sloth bear may bear attacking retaliate in future encounters with his buffalo, humans, with fatal consequences. Mr. Rampal Movement of bears outside protected began to shout areas of Chhattisgarh is very com- loudly. The mon because the forests are unable to bear continued provide enough food for the bears due its attack, and to habitat fragmentation and degrada- rushed to the site. Upon their arrival Rampal rushed to the village for help. tion. A current study on human-sloth on the scene, the bear moved off, Once Rampal and the other villagers bear conflict, being conducted by the and the villagers were able to rescue returned, they found that the bear had Wildlife Institute of India in Marwahi Mr. Lamchand. He was rushed to a killed and eaten a portion of the buf- forest, revealed a 40% fall in the sloth hospital in the village of Marwahi but, falo. They tried to drive the bear away bear population over the last six due to the severity of his injuries, was without success, so they notified the years. This is a very serious issue as moved to a better-equipped hospital Forest Department. Forest Depart- far as conservation of sloth bear is in Bilaspur. Information of the bear ment officials arrived, but when they concerned. The Institute has recom- attack had by then been passed on to attempted to drive the bear off, they mended that the State Forest Depart- the Forest Department, and the local were chased and nearly attacked magistrate, along with some police- themselves. They avoided injury men, had arrived at the location of the by hiding behind their motorcycles. attacks. Villagers from surrounding Police from the town of Gaurela were areas were advised to stay out of the also called, but the bear had retreated area to avoid further incidents. The into the cover of the forest before they range officer of Marwahi, along reached the site. Due to its aggres- with some forest guards, arrived the sive behavior, villagers were on high next day to deal with the bear. They alert. Elders of the village and Forest dispatched the bear before it could at- Department officials planned to push tack and kill again. It was very sad to the bear further into the forest in an see this animal killed, especially in its attempt to avoid further problems. natural forest habitat. Although many When villagers, police, and forest debate who was at fault, the bear or officials entered the forest to chase humans, we must not forget that it the bear off, they discovered a dead is humans who have encroached on adult female bear. She may have been the forests. Sadly, Mr. Lamchand’s mating with another bear previously injuries were too severe, and he died reported to be in the area when she while in hospital. was disturbed by the presence of the In another incident, during the grazing buffalo. Those on the scene month of June 2000, cattle were deduced that the bear may have died grazing in the forests adjacent to the as a result of consuming buffalo village of Barbasan. At approximately and the stress of human presence. 11 a.m., a man named Rampal was Sloth bears in this area are essentially watching over his cattle when one of frugivorous, and consuming the meat his buffalo was suddenly attacked by may have disturbed the bears’ physiol- a female bear. The bear knocked the ogy and this, in combination with the

16 International Bear News November 2006, vol. 15 no. 4 Eurasia ment initiate programs to educate [email protected] advanced level, this research base has villagers on bear biology, movement, The Xiao Xing’anling, Wanda, limits in its applicability to the conser- food, and behavior. It is also neces- Changbai, and Laojunling Mountain vation situation in northeastern China sary to restore degraded forest habitat ranges are among the most important due to cultural, economic, administra- by, for example, planting fruiting trees areas of distribution for Asiatic black tive, and political differences. With for bears. Unfortunately, the Forest bears in northeastern China. As assistance from the Japanese Black Department has yet to take necessary human populations have increased, Bear Research Institute, I captured, ra- actions to launch community educa- habitat for black bears has steadily dio-collared, and studied three bears tion or habitat restoration programs. declined. Adding to this, high inten- in the Xiao Xing’anling Mountains Subsequently, there is an urgent sity logging and collection of second- during 2004-05. This information was need to take concrete actions for the ary (non-timber) forest products has summarized in my poster presenta- conservation of sloth bears in the reduced the ability of these habitats to tion at the 17th IBA conference in unprotected areas in Chhattisgarh. provide bear food plants which in turn Japan. Funding for this study is no Otherwise, it will be too late to act. limits rates of reproduction and popu- longer available, and all radio-collars lation increase. In addition, have now ceased functioning, so we for gall and paws is still present, and have no way to continue our research Asiatic Black Bears is a serious problem in some areas. and thus deepen our understanding. These factors are all pertinent to the We wish to establish a research in Northeastern question of whether black bears will base to focus on research and con- China continue to persist in this area. servation strategies for Asiatic black If we wish to conserve Asiatic black bears in northeastern China. We in- Wang Wen bears in China, we need to strengthen vite all who wish to cooperate in this Institute of Wildlife Resources basic scientific research. Although endeavor to participate. Please contact Northeast Forestry University bear research in North America, me if you are interested in helping. Harbin, Heilongjiang, China Europe and Japan has attained an Americas

Walt McCown The 18th Eastern Black Bear Southeast and South Florida and Wildlife Conserva- Workshop Proceedings were mailed Central USA tion Commission to participants and sponsors in July 620 S. Meridian Street 2006. Additional copies of the pro- News from the southeast and south Tallahassee FL 32319-1600, USA ceeding may be acquired by contact- central USA provided by: Phone: +1 850-413-7379 ing Jena Perdue (Bear Management Thomas H. Eason, Ph.D., Leader Program, Florida Fish and Wildlife Species Conservation Planning Bear Management Program Conservation Commission, 620 South Section The Florida Fish and Wildlife Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida Division of Habitat and Species Conservation Commission’s (FWC) 32399, USA, or jena.perdue@MyFWC. Conservation Bear Management and Research com). Florida Fish and Wildlife Conserva- Programs have been working closely Additionally, the Bear Management tion Commission with the Agency’s Florida Black Bear Program released a rehabilitated cub Bryant Building Standing Team (FBBST). The FBBST in June. The bear was fitted with a 620 S. Meridian Street currently finished restructuring the radio-collar to follow its movements Tallahassee FL 32399-1600, USA Bear Response Agent Program. The and determine its fate. Shortly after Phone: +1 850-488-3831 Bear Response Agent Program has being released, the collar emitted a Email: [email protected] been integrated as a program within mortality signal, and the collar was the Habitat and Species Conservation found in a day bed not far from the Florida Black Bears Division. This fiscal year the Divi- release site. It is speculated the bear Stephanie Simek sion elected to support the program slipped the collar due to significant Bear Management Program through Agency funds. The FBBST is weight loss. Coordinator currently revising the existing FWC In August 2006, the Bear Manage- Bear Policies and plans to present the ment Program staff hosted a pilot & revised document to senior leadership Aversive Conditioning Workshop for approval once completed. designed for selected FWC staff who

International Bear News November 2006, vol. 15 no. 4 17 Americas work with or encounter bears and porated into this study. Two of these our understanding on whether these for partnering agency personnel. males had been previously captured urban-wildland interfaces are popula- Twenty-eight participants attended for nuisance behaviors before being tion sinks for bears. the three-day workshop that was relocated to the ONF for this study. This project began in late June instructed by John Hechtel of the To date, seven bears have died (6M, 2005. To date, a total of 32 bears Alaska Department of Fish and Game. 1F). Two were killed by vehicles (1M, (17M, 15F) have been captured. At John provided a strong foundation 1F), two males were killed illegally, the urban interface, 25 bears (13M, on understanding bear behavior, one male died in a forest fire, and two 12F) were captured in two different human behavior, and the limitations (1M, 1F) were euthanized by FWC for study sites and seven interior for- of deterrent techniques. The Bear repeated nuisance behaviors. The fate est bears (4M, 3F) were captured as Management Program is planning of two male bears remains unknown; controls. Three males have dropped to host a second workshop for other one male’s intact collar was recovered their collars, and an adult female and FWC staff and partnering agencies in from a creek and is believed to have her male yearling died of unknown early Spring 2007. been killed illegally. causes. The Bear Management Program Twenty bears engaged in nuisance Diel monitoring is being used to staff and Regional staff are cur- activities post-relocation, five of which determine bear activity patterns and rently working on developing outreach were recaptured and relocated a habitat use. A total of five collared programs to address garbage handling second time. Of these five, two males females reproduced in 2006. One issues in local communities. These were removed from the study after be- female lost her cubs after approxi- efforts are being addressed through ing relocated to Apalachicola National mately three weeks (no remains were community involvement and partner- Forest in northwestern Florida. The discovered). Seven cubs (1M, 6F) from ships with non-profit organizations other three males, one of which was the remaining females were equipped such as Defenders of Wildlife. originally a non-target capture, were with expandable radio collars to moved back to their first relocation document mortality rates. To date Bear Research Program site in the ONF, per FWC policy. Two only dispersing subadult male bears bears (1M, 1F) were recaptured and have exhibited documented nuisance Determining the impact of euthanized for their post-relocation behavior. Additional bears may be relocation on nuisance Florida nuisance behaviors. Three bears that trapped in 2006, and all bears will black bears in central Florida returned to the original capture area continue to be monitored into 2007. continued nuisance behaviors. Cubs born to females that reproduce Kim Annis (M.Sc. Student) Thirteen bears (9M, 4F) are cur- in 2007 will also be radio collared. University of Florida rently collared and will continue to be Email: [email protected] monitored through the end of 2006. Louisiana Black Bears

The purpose of this study is to Ecology of the Florida black bear at Dave Telesco determine the efficacy of relocation the urban-wildland interface of the Black Bear Conservation Committee as a technique for the management Ocala National Forest P.O. Box 80442 of nuisance bears in Florida by the Baton Rouge LA 70898, USA Florida Fish and Wildlife Conserva- Aletris M. Neils (M.Sc. Student) Phone: +1 225-763-5457 tion Commission (FWC). The objec- University of Florida Email: [email protected] tives of this study are to investigate Email: [email protected] the effects of relocation on nuisance Groups Take New Approach to Florida black bears (Ursus americanus The goal of this project is to closely Deal with Beeyard Bears floridanus). Nuisance bears were monitor the movements and activities The Black Bear Conservation captured in peninsular Florida and of Florida black bears living in the Committee (BBCC) recently met with relocated to the Ocala National Forest urban-wildland interface of the Ocala the Louisiana Beekeepers Association, (ONF) after being fitted with radio National Forest. Objectives for this Louisiana Department of Wildlife and collars. The project began in May study are to document fine-scale Fisheries, Louisiana Department of 2004 and the last bear was captured, habitat use of bears utilizing the Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF), and collared, and relocated in December urban-wildland interface and to assess USDA Wildlife Services to discuss 2005, increasing the sample size to 43 the effects of habitat quality, quantity, apiary depredation by bears. Cur- bears (33M, 10F). and distribution on the movements rently, those groups work together to Nine bears (6M, 3F) were non- and behaviors of bears inhabiting the respond to bear-apiary conflicts on a target captures by the FWC, but they urban-wildland interface. Data is also case-by-case basis. A limited number were relocated to the ONF and incor- being collected that will contribute to of electric fences are loaned out until

18 International Bear News November 2006, vol. 15 no. 4 Americas observed in brown bears catching salmon, searching with eyes and nose below the water surface for about 3-6 seconds, followed by a prolonged dive, with its full body submerged, for 10-20 seconds. In several instances, we observed the bear “working hard” at getting at the fish – the hind legs were stretched out, sticking out of the water, indicating that the bear was reaching far to the bottom of the river and moving rocks. It was also interesting to observe that the bear was able to fish in that bay-river mouth interface where water currents are around 4-6 km/h and water depths are greater than 2 m. These observations are important for several reasons. Climate change could force bears off the beekeepers can purchase their own Relationship sea ice earlier, which could result in systems. While these fence loans bears being nutritionally stressed. As provide a good “quick fix” to beeyard between Arctic Charr a supplementary feeding strategy and depredation, all participants agreed a adaptation, polar bears are resorting more permanent plan needs to be in (Salvelinus alpinus) to charr and other fish for food just as place. The BBCC has offered to take and Polar Bears brown bears do. The feeding behavior the lead in a new beekeeper assistance is similar to some polar bears in program to address bear conflicts. (Ursus maritimus) western Hudson Bay, where they catch LDAF is pursuing funding for a seals in the tidal flats. The protein Markus Dyck program that could be administered and fat/oil rich fish could provide Polar Bear Technician by the BBCC, where beekeepers can crucial energy to subadults and family Government of Nunavut receive electric fence chargers and groups during a time when food is Department of Environment technical assistance. scarce and bears are nutritionally Iglulik NU, X0A 0H0 The recent upsurge in beeyard stressed due to a shortened hunting Canada conflicts is in part due to the increase season. Long-term monitoring of Phone: +1 867-934-2181 in Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) frequencies of feeding and the gender Email: [email protected] lands. These private properties are and age-classes of polar bears involved restored to bottomland hardwood in this feeding behavior could aid I conducted a research project on forests through voluntarily agree- in identifying trends regarding food Sommerset Island at Creswell Bay, ments with the Natural Resources intake on the ice. Nunavut, Canada, during August Conservation Service. WRP has been It will be important to identify of 2005 and 2006 to examine the extremely important in restoring habi- some of these summer polar bear possible relationship between Arctic tat for the Louisiana black bear, with feeding areas and to determine charr (Salvelinus alpinus) and polar over 200,000 acres of forests restored whether human development might bears (Ursus maritimus). have since the bear was listed as a threat- impinge on these areas. Charr are been reporting that phenomenon ened under the Endangered also an important food source for to me for years, but it was never Species Act in 1992. The BBCC Inuit, and possible commercial/sub- really observed and documented by supports the honey industry’s efforts sistence fishing could lead to food a scientist. My research team ob- to expand beeyards into a growing competition. served, and filmed, for the first time number of WRP lands. With effective Manuscripts about our observa- a polar bear on numerous occasions bear deterrents (e.g., electric fencing), tions are in preparation. swimming and diving at the mouth honey production can add additional of the Union River retrieving charr value for WRP landowners. and sculpins. The polar bear dove in a fashion similar to what has been

International Bear News November 2006, vol. 15 no. 4 19 Americas smell the odor of rotting flesh. While From the tracks we encountered, we Cannibalism in looking for where these smells came deduced that Alvaro was shot but Andean Bears? from, we discovered a tree platform escaped. Fatally wounded, the bear that had been made by a bear. As we speedily left the scene of the shoot- Armando Castellanos approached it, the odor became more ing, where he tried to heal himself by Andean Bear Project Director intense, and we began to encounter licking. This was deduced from the Fundacion Espiritu del Bosque, pieces of bone with bits of unidentifi- quantity of hair in his mouth. Despite Ecuador able meat from a large . his efforts, Alvaro eventually died and Andean Bear Foundation, USA We continued searching for the ra- later was dragged and devoured by Barcelona 311 y Tolosa dio collar. The trail became a tunnel one or more fellow Andean bears. Quito-Ecuador as it passed through dense stands of The death of Alvaro has caused us Email: [email protected] suro. A tunnel in vegetation is typical great sadness. However, we feel that of a bear dragging its prey. (I had his loss was not in vain. It has helped It is well known that most of the frequently observed these tunnels in us learn a little more in a place where members of the Ursidae family are areas where bears prey on livestock.) it is hard to find any remains of large opportunistic eaters. The Andean It appeared that one or more bears mammals, especially remains of bears bear is no exception. Although they had been feeding on something. in the cloud forests of Ecuador. primarily eat suro, a kind of bamboo Following the tunnel for another in the cloud forest of the Intag region 50 meters, we encountered Alvaro’s of Ecuador, they also eat carrion. For radio collar. I initially thought that Andean Bears Jump this reason, we use decomposing cows’ Alvaro may have lost his collar and feet as bait to capture then radio-col- that the bear had been hauling the from Treetops lar bears. Still, I had never thought carcass of a deer (Mazama ameri- By Armando Castellanos that a dead Andean bear could be cana). However, 100 meters further Andean Bear Project Director eaten by other bears. down the tunneled path, we came Fundacion Espiritu del Bosque, Ecuador Andean Bear Foundation, USA Barcelona 311 y Tolosa Quito-Ecuador Email: [email protected]

Very few people have had the opportunity to see an Andean Bear climb to the top of a tree. Our project had the luck to see this rare event on two occasions in the cloud forest of the Alto Choco Reserve, Intag region, northern Ecuador. The first occasion was in July 2000 and the second in February 2006. We saw four bears in total, three of which demonstrated this fascinating escape behavior; the remaining bear was hidden in the In April this year, we received an across what remained of Alvaro’s surrounding vegetation. inactive signal from one of our radio- body. Chest, dorsal spine, forearms, All the encounters were unex- collared bears we named Alvaro. My and muscles had disappeared. We pected and the bears instinctively field assistant, Alberto Tabango, and began to look for the cause of death. climbed the nearest tree and headed I went to investigate what had hap- We found three holes, approximately for the treetops. While climbing pened. As we got closer to the radio 7 mm in diameter, in Alvaro’s abdomi- they groaned and panted heavily, collar, we encountered a trail strewn nal region and right lateral thorax, simultaneously urinating and defecat- with broken branches and crushed indicating that Alvaro had been shot ing, perhaps because of the intense plants. This appeared to have been by a hunter. fright that we gave them. Trying to produced by something that had been It was not possible to find the evade us, they looked for a way to dragged. We had followed the trail bullets in his body because of the reach nearby trees by jumping from for about 50 meters when we began to distance that Alvaro was dragged. one branch to another over a space of

20 International Bear News November 2006, vol. 15 no. 4 Americas about 1.5 meters. As time passed by, large quantity of suro, a bamboo-like However, in cases of more imminent the bears gradually realized that they plant. The suro appeared to act as a danger involving gunshots, the bears couldn’t escape us, and as a result they cushion and break the bear’s fall. On prepare their dismount in a different began to bend and break branches, the second occasion, two bears fell way to the one I have described above. quickly accumulating vegetation to directly to the ground, with one bear In these cases, it is reported that the build platforms high in the tree. The falling from about 8 meters and the bears simply jumped from heights platforms were apparently made in an other from 10 meters. In each case, between 15 and 20 meters, without attempt to hide from the sight of the once on the ground, the bear rapidly showing the branch-breaking behavior humans below. ran off without showing any injuries. that we have witnessed. Perhaps intending to scare us, the Anecdotal evidence from farm- I am not sure whether other bear bears broke and noisily threw down ers and hunters indicates that bears species display the same type of moderately large branches from the larger than those we observed have escape behavior as the one displayed treetop. When they could not elude jumped from trees 15 to 20 meters by the Andean bear. However, it us, each bear (individually) went to above ground, although these bears appears to me that no animal of such end of a branch and bit it did not prepare for the jump in the weight should be able to jump from to break it. They then swung on and manner described above. Local such heights without injury. It would balanced on the branches so that their farmers and hunters have reported be very interesting to know why weight helped break the branches that comparatively larger and heavier the Andean bear apparently doesn’t which fell one by one to the ground. bears than the ones we saw, when injure itself when jumping from such In the first encounter, one bear threatened whilst in a tree, also fall heights. fell approximately 7 meters into a from great heights to escape dangers. Captive Bears

the main enclosure wasn’t covered everywhere, especially all over me. IBBR Finally except for a wood deck area over some I’m sure they just wanted to share the Gets Solid Roof of the dens, it became a muddy mess. fun and didn’t realize that grumpy The one thing I insist on in rehab is old mom wasn’t having any fun .... or Over Main Bear that the animals can stay dry and pro- maybe they did realize it! Enclosure tected from the weather. If they want I swore we would not go one more to go out in the snow or rain, I have year without a roof over that enclo- Sally Maughan no problem with that. It’s a totally dif- sure, but I knew we couldn’t raise Idaho Black Bear Rehab, Inc. ferent matter when they can’t get out that kind of money. Estimates started 6097 Arney Lane of the weather. The rain was so heavy out at US$15,000, dropped down to Garden City ID 83714, USA and so frequent that there wasn’t one US$12,000, and then, due to some of Phone: +1 208-853-3105 day for about a month that we didn’t the building requirements, ended up Fax: +1 208-439-6777 have at least three inches of water all at US$16,000. Email: [email protected] over the main enclosure. Once again, WSPA stepped in and Website: www.bearrehab.org The bears had torn up all the wood saved us. They funded the cost of all deck covering the dens so the dens the materials. Garden City Plan- During the fall of 2004 and into were flooded too. We had several ning and Zoning worked with us to 2005, Idaho Black Bear Rehab, hollow logs to use for dens too, but get the plan approved quickly. Buck Inc. (IBBR) received 40 orphaned they were flooded inside. The bears Peak, a Fish and Game construction cubs from Idaho and surrounding could climb on them to get out of the foreman, and the Poachers Club (no, states. Due to their condition, most mud but still had no protection from they are not poachers) volunteered of the bears couldn’t hibernate, and the rain. all the labor. We started building in we had active bears all winter. By late Once again, the bears seemed to be August 2005 and were done the end of fall, the bears either ate or tromped having a great deal of fun despite the September. down all the vegetation and grass. By fact their foster mom was extremely Half the roof is covered with green winter, it was slick and slippery; the upset. One of the favorite games metal sheets and the other half with bears loved it, but we ended up on our was to go flying by at full bear speed clear sheets that let the sun in. The rears a few times. Then the spring just as I walked through the deepest cubs of 2004 never got to enjoy it, but rains came with a vengeance. Since puddle. Water and mud went flying when the spring rains came this year,

International Bear News November 2006, vol. 15 no. 4 21 Captive Bears it was so wonderful to see cubs on dry as they either see, smell, hear, or sense Aquarium. The exhibit will feature ground. There is still a small area in our presence. Then we become the sea and , along with the the front section where they can cause of the behavior and the focus two polar bears already on display. in the rain if they want to. of their attention. If it’s possible, we The planning team evaluated some In 2005, the World Society for will be adding live video feed to our of the most sophisticated polar bear the Protection of Animals (WSPA) website. Then bear projects, other enclosures around the country before donated the funds to buy a new Ford bear rehabilitators, state agencies, embarking on plans to construct this flatbed truck for transporting bears. schools, etc. can view the bears while latest enclosure for the new additions We used it while releasing some of the in rehab and learn along with us. to the zoo. The staff’s vision was 2004 bears. Being able to transport to develop a “” habitat which four carriers at one time was espe- both immerses the patrons in an cially helpful when transporting out- arctic ecosystem and provides year of-state yearlings back to the release Conservation round conditions favorable to polar state. It has saved us so much time, Education mammals. Patrons can observe work, and money in the release part of the animals in an air-conditioned the rehab process. We had volunteers Jordan Schaul den. They can also view the animals who wanted to help transport bears, Laboratory for Wildlife & Environ- through a 30-foot acrylic tunnel. but the metal carriers were too large mental Health The bears can be viewed both above for their vehicles. Now they can use College of Veterinary Medicine, and below the water surface of their the IBBR truck to transport bears for Western University marine pool. Water’s Edge conveys us. A truck and a roof in the same Pomona CA 91766, USA several conservation issues relevant to year – two dreams come true for IBBR Email: [email protected] marine mammals but emphasizes the in the same year, thanks to WSPA! [email protected] importance of these mega-vertebrates In the next two to three months, [email protected] as indicators of polar ecosystem IBBR will be installing a monitoring health. system in the main enclosure. This Water’s Edge Exhibit at the will allow us to observe and film bear Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium Next Issue: Opening of Asia Trail, behavior without disturbing the bears. The first phase of Water’s Edge the new sloth bear exhibit at the It’s difficult to sneak up on the cubs has opened at the Pittsburgh Zoo & National Zoo. Student Forum

Diana Doan-Crider, IBA Student asking students to begin collecting We’ll be contacting many of you Coordinator and donating interesting and unusual through Truman, so keep posted. In King Ranch Institute for Ranch “bear collectibles” from their coun- addition, I will be leaving my position Management tries or regions, such as artwork and here at the King Ranch Institute and MSC 137 other crafts. changing back to my beloved Caesar Texas A&M University-Kingsville In addition, we will be coordinating Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Kingsville TX 78363-8202, USA several sessions entitled “Bears 101” as a Research Scientist in January. It Phone: +1 361-593-5407 for new students who need some basic will be bears full time from now on, Email: [email protected] level workshops about bear handling, and I won’t be missing any more IBA biology, ecology, genetics, and conser- meetings! Thank you all for your kind Viva México! Here We Come! vation. These workshops will be held emails as you kept me up-to-date with Well, by now the Japan meetings on the weekend following the confer- the meetings in Japan. I will send you have come and gone, and we prepare ence sessions, November 10-11. my new contact information via Tru- for the next North American IBA Because the IBA conference man as soon as possible, but my email conference, which will be hosted in coincides with the UNESCO Forum address will remain the same. Monterrey, México, November 4-10, on Cultures, we are getting a lot of For now, I say “Adios” since I won’t 2007 (see page 27). This will be an attention and much appreciated help. be publishing a column this issue, but exciting time for IBA students! We Students are of particular importance, I promise to have a worthwhile topic will be organizing our first student and we are working on plans to ar- during the next newsletter as we begin auction to help provide some activity range student housing on the premises a series on Habitat Analysis for Dum- funds for the Student Forum. We are of the conference facilities. mies. See you then!

22 International Bear News November 2006, vol. 15 no. 4 Are you an IBA Student? Then you need to belong to the Student Forum List Serve

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International Bear News November 2006, vol. 15 no. 4 23 Bears in Culture Pining for the Plains Grizzly in Kansas, or, J____ S____ has Six Toes!!

David Mather The necklaces appear National Register Archaeologist to have been made using State Historic Preservation Office only the longer front Minnesota Historical Society claws, strung through 345 Kellogg Boulevard West holes drilled in the Saint Paul MN 55102-1906, USA bone knuckle (the third Phone: +1 651-297-4418 phalanx), which is covered Fax: +1 651-282-2374 with a strip of . The Email: [email protected] claws themselves fanned out across the shoulders I’ll be driving through former griz- and chest of the wearer. zly country soon, on my way from St. Many of the necklaces Paul, Minnesota, to Topeka, Kansas, are supported by a row passing through Iowa and part of of strung beads about Missouri on the way. The bears half-way down the length themselves have been gone for 150 of the claws. Some, such years or more, eliminated almost im- as later Meskwakie styles, mediately following the establishment are more elaborate, with of Euro-American farms and towns in a tighter circle of claws, the mid-nineteenth century. Herds of fur, and associ- bison and followed shortly after- ated beadwork down the Bear Claw Necklace ward. A few small patches of native wearer’s back. The National Museum of the American Indian. prairie remain. “simplest” style is simply a It is assumed that bear claw As anyone familiar with the string of claws, unsupported by other necklaces were an ancient tradition, American Midwest can tell you, it is beadwork. This type has been attrib- because claws and teeth of bears have hard to picture the great bears in this uted to the Dakota (Sioux), although been found at archaeological sites part of the world today, but they once some Ioway leaders are pictured wear- around the upper Midwest. These held a prominent role. In the early ing loose-clawed necklaces as well. are mostly black bears, however. A nineteenth century, powerful men The necklace brought back by Lewis rare archaeological example of a among American Indian tribes of the and Clark is this style. It is now in the grizzly claw necklace is on display lower and middle Missouri River kept collections of the Peabody Museum at in the University of Iowa’s Museum elaborate necklaces of Harvard and will be the subject of a of Natural History, recovered from claws. The necklaces outlasted the future column in this series. a cave in Jones County (east-central bears, being worn on special occasions Catlin describes one Dakota man Iowa). Only the bone cores of the well into the twentieth century. giving away his grizzly claw necklace claws remain. George Catlin painted portraits of and other adornments in an exchange I’m going to Topeka to present a some of these men in the 1830s, as de- of high-prestige gifts. This belies paper on animal bones I studied from tailed in his Letters and Notes on the an often repeated notion that only two “recent” archaeological sites in the Manners, Customs, and Conditions of people who had killed a bear could Flint Hills of Kansas – two farmsteads the North American Indians. Leaders possess a necklace. Indeed, it seems from the 1880s and 1890s, one French among the Mandan, Ioway, Missou- likely based on archaeological and and one English/American. That rie, Otoe and Meskwakie tribes are ethnographic evidence that claws were has nothing to do with bears (but see depicted wearing grizzly claw neck- traded to some extent. Catlin painted below), except to highlight the drastic laces. One Otoe man is wearing a full two portraits of young boys, Ioway changes to the mammalian fauna of grizzly skin with the claws still present and Meskwakie, respectively, wearing Kansas within a few short decades. on the four paws. Further west, Catlin bear claw necklaces. They were sons There were bone fragments at these shows a Blackfoot healer wearing a of important men. Clearly, wearing sites of animals you would expect on “yellow bear” skin, also with the claws a grizzly claw necklace was a sign of farms, such as cattle and pigs, sheep, attached. great prestige. chickens, domestic geese and cats, but

24 International Bear News November 2006, vol. 15 no. 4 Bears in Culture the overwhelming majority were from the death with an old mother bear either in the war or by the bare for small, wild mammals – cottontail and two cubs. Nothing was found I have been married twice since (one jackrabbit), squirrels, in the man’s effects to lead to the and their ought to be a divorce muskrat, possum and woodrats. location of his friends, and abso- papers got out by him or me if the There were also a few seashells, which lutely nothing of his past or home bare did not eat him all up. If it I did not expect to find in Kansas. I ties was known in the region. The is him you will know it by having suspect, but cannot prove, that they body was duly and officially viewed six toes on the left foot. He also were souvenirs from immigrant by a coroner’s jury, which decided he sings base and has a spread eagle voyages. The Flint Hills were and are had been killed in a bear fight, and tattooed on his front chest and one of the renowned beef producing he was buried near where found. a ankor on his right arm which regions of the United States, but these Naturally the case got into the local you will know him if the bare did were diversified subsistence farmers, papers, from which it was wildly not eat up these parts of him. If sending beef to market. The rab- copied. Some weeks later the ranger alive don’t tell him I am married bits and squirrels were the source of who found the body received a letter to J___ W___ for he never liked many meals at both farms, and the from a woman in a Midwest state, of J___. Mebbe you had better let pelts were probably a source of extra which the following is an exact copy: on as if I am ded but find out all income. “ ‘ ‘Kind and Respected Cir: I you can about him without him The background research for the see in the paper that a man J___ knowing anything what it is for. farmstead study led me to E. Raymond S___ was atacted and et up by a That is if the bare did not eat him Hall’s 1955 Handbook of the Mammals bare whose cubs he was trying to all up. If it did I don’t see you can of Kansas, and unexpectedly to a great git when the she bare came up and do anything and you needn’t take bear story. I’ve quoted Hall below, stopt him by eatin him up in the any trouble. My respecks to your as he sets up the story quoted from a mountains near your town. What family and please ancer back. 1924 edition of the Saturday Evening I want to know is did it kill him or “ ‘ ‘P.S. Was the bare killed. Post: was he only partly et up and [is] Also was he married again and “My own boyhood, all spent in he from this place and all about did he leave any property worth Kansas, was so far removed in time the bare. I don’t know but what he me laying claim to?’ ’ ” from incidents there that involved is a distant husband of mine. My Wow. To recap, that’s a triple quote Grizzly Bears, if they occurred at all first husband was of that name of the letter – first by the Saturday in my part of the State, that I only and I suppose he was killed in the Evening Post in 1924, then in Hand- had a detached interest in the conflict war but the name of the man the book of Mammals of Kansas in 1955, between them and men. The first bare et being the same I thought and now in the fine periodical before year of two decades that I spent in it might be him after all and I you. It was quoted by Hall in his book California, however, made me more thought to know if he wasn’t killed because it may or may not involve conscious of such conflicts, first because I visited where the Grizzly was reputed (incorrectly I now think) still to roam and second because, for that general region, the Saturday Evening Post late that same year (p. 153, for December 6, 1924) carried the account of a tragic incident that involved a (Grizzly?) bear and a person who could have been a Kansan. “The account by Mr. Will C. Barnes goes as follows: “ ‘A few years ago the body of an old prospector and trapper known in the region as J___ S___ was found by a ranger in one of the national forests in the high Sierras of California. The body had been terribly mauled and torn by bears and perhaps other wild animals, and all the evidence pointed to a fight to George Caitlin’s Bear Dance of the Sioux, Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis

International Bear News November 2006, vol. 15 no. 4 25 Bears in Culture grizzlies and a man who may or may of the book. Non-celebrity mammals Hall’s wish for the grizzly to still not have been from Kansas. such as the , which still thrives be in Kansas is tangible, and probably Directly following the letter, Hall in Kansas, thank you very much, only inspired by the glamour of the great jumps to descriptions of grizzly claw rate about three pages in Hall’s book, bear as the symbol of wilderness and marks on trees, their dietary habits compared to the grizzly’s five. Black frontier danger. I love the Midwestern (beyond six-toed tattooed trappers) bears, at that time also long gone from landscape today, but I also appreci- and so on – things that you might Kansas, get four full pages. Cottontail ate the gift of being an archaeologist expect in a book on Kansas mam- rabbits, the predominant source of the – being able to look at the modern mals, even more so if grizzly bears bones on my farmsteads, barely count world and see something completely had actually lived in Kansas during for two. different. the century leading up to publication Publications

brown bears (Ursus arctos). Journal Recent Bear of Zoology 269(3):273-283. Ursus News: Literature Donahue S. W., S. Galley, M. R. what an impact! Vaughan, P. Patterson-Buckendahl, Richard B. Harris L. M. Demers, J. Vance, and M. Richard B. Harris, Ph.D Ursus Editor E. McGee. 2006. Parathyroid Editor Ursus 218 Evans may maintain bone Research Associate, University of Missoula MT 59801, USA formation in hibernating black Montana Email: [email protected] bears (Ursus americanus) to prevent 218 Evans & disuse osteoporosis. Journal of Ex- Missoula MT 59801, USA Tanya Rosen perimental Biology 209:1630-1638. Phone/Fax: +1 406-542-6399 Bard Center for Environmental Policy Dyck G. M. and R. K. Baydack. 2006. Email: [email protected] Bard College Human Activities Associated with Website: www.ursusjournal.com Annandale-on-Hudson Polar Bear Viewing Near Churchill, New York City NY 12504, USA , Canada. Human Di- As most of you know, in addition to Email: [email protected] mensions of Wildlife 11(2):143-145. citation databases such as Biological Kaczensky P., D. Huber, F. Knauer, Abstracts and Wildlife Worldwide, Apps C. D., B. N. McLellan, and H. Roth, A. Wagner, and J. Kusak. Ursus has been included in the Sci- J. G. Woods. 2006. Landscape 2006. Activity patterns of brown ence Citation Index Expanded (SCIE), partitioning and spatial inferences bears (Ursus arctos) in Slovenia and published by Thomson Scientific of of competition between black Croatia Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, and grizzly bears. Ecography Journal of Zoology 269(4):474-485. beginning with Volume 15 in 2004. 29(4):561-572. Ostbye E., S. E. Lauritzen, K. Ostbye, Beginning with Volume 18 (to be Bellemain E., A. Zedrossre, S. Manel, and O. Wiig. 2006. Holocene published in 2007), Ursus will also be P. L. Waits, P. Taberlet, and J. E. brown bear (Ursus arctos L.) assessed by Thomson relative to other Swenson. 2006. The dilemma from Norwegian caves. Boreas journals in field biology and given an of female mate selection in the 35(2):296-316. impact factor It will not be possible brown bear, a species with sexually Wan, Q., J. Yu, Y. Yong, and S. Fang. to know in advance what the impact selected infanticide. Proceedings of 2006. Reliable genetic analyses factor will be; the results for Volume the Royal Society 273:283-291. based on formalin-fixed materials: a 18 will be published in early 2008, and Cronin M. A., S. C. Amstrup, and K. new noninvasive sampling perspec- will vary yearly. But then, most of you T. Scribner. 2006. Microsatellie tive for the giant panda. Conserva- already know that Ursus authors have DNA and mitochondrial DNA tion Genetics 7(3):467-471. been having tremendous impacts in variation in polar bears (Ursus Xu W., Z. Ouyang, A. Viña, H. Zheng, the field for years! maritimus) from the Beaufort and J. Liu, and Y. Xiao. 2006. Design- Chukchi , Alaska. Canadian ing a conservation plan for protect- Journal of Zoology 84(5):655-660. ing the habitat for giant pandas Dahle B., A. Zedrosser, and J. E. in the Qionglai mountain range, Swenson. 2006. Correlates with China. Diversity and Distributions body size and mass in yearling 12(5):610-619.

26 International Bear News November 2006, vol. 15 no. 4 Communications will receive a $1000 travel award AIBS Diversity to present research at a scien- Scholars Program tific meeting of his/her choice, complementary travel and American Institute of Biological registration to the 2007 AIBS Sciences Annual Meeting “Evolutionary 1444 Eye St. NW, Suite 200 Biology and Human Health,” Washington DC 20005, USA and a one-year complementary Phone: +1 202-628-1500 ext. 249 membership to AIBS. Fax: +1 202-628-1509 For more information on the AIBS Diversity Scholars The American Institute of Bio- Program, and for application logical Sciences (AIBS) recognizes information for 2007, please visit: outstanding biology students from www.aibs.org/diversity/diversity_ under-represented minorities, as well scholars_program.html. as students with disabilities. Each Events

18th International Conference on Bear Research and Management November 4-10, 2007 Monterrey, Mexico http://ckwri.tamuk.edu/blackbear/ IBAconference

Diana Doan-Crider David G. Hewitt Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute MSC 218, Texas A&M University-Kingsville Kingsville TX 78363-8202, USA Phone: +1 361-593-5407 +1 361-593-3963 Fax: +1361-593-3924 Email: [email protected] [email protected] C.P. 64070, Monterrey Travel Grants: Begins April 1, 2007, Rodrigo Medellin L. Nuevo León, México closes September 14, 2007 Centro de Ecología Phone: 81 83 42 32 83 Early Registration: Begins April 1, Universidad Autónoma de México Fax: 81 83 43 00 05 2007, closes October 1, 2007 Apartado Postal 70-275 Email: [email protected]. 04510 México, DF; México mx Location Email: medellí[email protected]. [email protected] Monterrey, Mexico, has been unam.mx [email protected] chosen as the site for the 18th Inter- Phone: +52 5-5622-9042 national Conference on Bear Research Fax: +52 5-5622-8995 Summary of Important Dates and Management, to be held Novem- Conference Dates: November 4-10, ber 4-10, 2007. The IBA conference Ing. René Hernández Sáenz (Director) 2007 will coincide with UNESCO’s Univer- Biol. Héctor Villalón Moreno BSG Groups and Student Workshops: sal Forum of Cultures (http://www. Parques y Vida Silvestre de Nuevo November 10-11, 2007 monterreyforum2007.org/), which León Abstract Submissions: Begins Febru- will take place September-December Paris # 343, Col. Mirador (Centro) ary 1, 2006, closes May 1, 2007 2007. Though Monterrey is Mexico’s

International Bear News November 2006, vol. 15 no. 4 27 Events third city, it is beautifully situated at Conference Program Facilities and Transportation the head of the Sierra Madre Oriental The conference begins on Sunday Monterrey is a progressive city, mountain chain. Monterrey is located evening, November 4, and ends on and facilities are ideal for the IBA’s only two hours south of the U.S. Saturday, November 10. Bear Special- conference needs. Monterrey has border, and rests in the Tamaulipan ist Groups will meet on Saturday, an international airport with 250 thornscrub/Chihuahuan desert at November 10. In addition, special daily, direct flights from Mexico City, approximately 800 m above sea student sessions and training work- Dallas, Houston, New York, Chicago, level. The Sierra Madre dramatically shops will take place on Saturday and Memphis, Atlanta, and Los Angeles. rises up to pine/oak forests at 2000 m Sunday, November 10-11, 2007. The recent United Nations Interna- within one mile of the city’s edge. No- tional Conference on Financing for vember was chosen for the conference Registration and Travel Development was held in Monterrey because of the potential to see high at the CINTERMEX Conference bear activity and experience pleasant Grants Facility, where they hosted over 50 Registration will begin April weather conditions. heads of state. The Monterrey Office 1, 2007, via website or fax. Early Several key bear areas are within of Conventions and Visitors (OCV), registration will be available and is a 1-hour drive of the city. Due to which coordinated the UN Sum- encouraged. Reduced fees will be habitat encroachment, an increasing mit, will be helping us to organize available for students and participants bear population, and possibly drought- the IBA conference at the same from less-developed countries (see list related bear movements, reports of conference facilities (See http://www. via conference website at http://ckwri. bears and bear-human conflicts have cintermex.com.mx/ and http://www. tamuk.edu/blackbear/IBAconfer- been increasing. Interest in bears parquefundidora.org/) and to obtain ence). Travel grant applications can is high, both publicly and within discount airfare rates for conference be downloaded from the website management agencies. Bear research participants. More information beginning on April 1, 2007. Deadline and management in Mexico is an issue on connecting flights from Europe for submission of travel grants will be that has recently received attention at and South America can be viewed September 14, 2007. All travel grants both the state and federal level, but an at http://www.ocvmty.com/. The will be handled in U.S. dollars, and active conservation strategy is lacking. OCV will be assisting with services arrangements will be made to facili- This conference will bring attention to such as language translation (Span- tate check cashing on the conference bear conservation at a crucial turning ish, Russian, Japanese, and others), premises. point and will encourage biologists field trips, immigration permits, and to seek training in the area of bear logistics. Excellent lodging facilities research and management. (US$85 per night) are connected to the 350-acre enclosed conference site, which also contains a large eco-park, museums, and family areas, and is conveniently located close to banks and great restaurants. Less expensive hotels (US$30-45 per night) are within a 5-minute metro-ride of the park. In addition, we will have special housing for students and those that cannot afford lodging. Corporate sponsor- ship is expected to cover expenses for some conference meals, field trips, and special events; registration costs, therefore, will be kept at a minimum. We will have direct communication with the Mexican Consulate and U.S. Embassy to ensure that immigration procedures go smoothly for confer- ence participants. Any travel into Mexico will require a passport begin- ning in 2007.

28 International Bear News November 2006, vol. 15 no. 4 Events Field Trips Field trips will include the Chip- inque National Park, the Sierra los Picachos, and Cumbres National Park (black bear study areas). Garcia Caves, Horsetail Falls, and the Mina Archeological Area are also close- by. Bird-watching includes a large population of red-fronted parrots and migratory songbirds; monarch butter- flies may also be migrating along the Sierra Madre during that time. The conference site is close to the historic downtown area, as well as natural and scenic areas. The Coordinating Committee will assist conference participants in arranging travel for those wishing to visit other natural areas and parks of Mexico before or after the conference.

Workshops and Meetings include a photo of the presenter for present their work in poster format. IBA committees, working groups, each poster/display. Posters must Deadline for submission of summaries and workshop coordinators who wish be presented in English. Present- is May 1, 2007. to schedule meetings/workshops ers will be required to attend during the conference, please contact their posters during the allotted Ursus Submissions Diana Crider at [email protected] sessions. Submission of a full manuscript before April 1, 2007 to schedule these to Ursus (the peer-reviewed journal events. Submissions for of the IBA) is encouraged and may Presentations be a factor in selecting papers for Call for Papers and Posters Authors wishing to present their oral presentation. Authors of poster The conference will cover all work in the conference, either as an presentations are also encouraged to aspects of bear research and manage- oral or poster presentation may sub- submit full papers to Ursus. Please ment. There will be four types of mit a summary of that work beginning consult the website for more informa- presentations: February 1, 2007. Summaries must tion about submissions to Ursus. 1. Invited speakers (25 minutes, be submitted electronically via the Authors submitting to Ursus 5 minutes for questions) conference website, though exceptions are reminded that page charges are 2. Invited Panel Speakers will be made for participants who do US$90 per printed page and are 3. Oral Presentations (15 minutes, not have access to the internet. Sum- the responsibility of the author. 5 minutes for questions): Graph- maries can be up to one page of single Typically, 2.5 pages of double-spaced ics and Powerpoint presentations spaced text (500-600 words). Sum- manuscript equals one page of final must be presented in English, the maries should include information printed text. IBA Publication Grants official language of the IBA. How- on sample size, study duration, major are available to cover full or partial ever, presenters may narrate their findings, new information gained, costs of publications. Contact Frank presentations in other languages, and the utility and significance of the van Manen at [email protected] for and simultaneous translation will study. Submissions should indicate more information. be provided. whether the entry is for oral or poster Website information regarding 4. Posters and Graphic Displays: presentation. The number of slots for this conference can be found at LCD panel displays are permitted oral presentations is limited; presenta- http://ckwri.tamuk.edu/blackbear/ (no sound), but advanced notice tions will be selected to provide a IBAConference beginning must be given regarding electri- varied and exciting program of papers December 1, 2007. Registration cal hook-ups or display tables. based on the project summaries forms will be available in upcoming Each presenter will be given a submitted. Authors not chosen for an editions of the IBN and on the website total space of 90 x 150 cm. Please oral presentation are encouraged to beginning in April 2007.

International Bear News November 2006, vol. 15 no. 4 29 Events developing recommended Phone: +1 301-334-4255 19th Eastern Black protocols Email: [email protected] Bear Workshop Afternoon workshop session: Information/ Outreach Mark Ternent The West Virginia Division of Programs – developing and PA Game Commission Natural Resources, Pennsylvania evaluating success of outreach Phone: +1 814-625-3597 Game Commission, and Maryland messages Email: [email protected] Department of Natural Resources will Evening speaker: John Hechtel, be hosting the 19th Eastern Black Bear Alaska Fish & Game Dept. Workshop, scheduled for Spring 2007. Thursday, April 12 Morning: session summaries and Dates business meeting April 10-12, 2007 Call for Abstracts Location We invite abstracts for consider- National Conservation Training ation as posters or 15-minute oral Center in Shepherdstown, West presentations. Topics for oral presen- tations should be related to the theme Virginia, USA © Joan Skidmore of managing human-bear conflicts. Posters may be related to any current Registration black bear topic. Abstracts should be Registration details, including 10th Western Black one-page long, single-spaced in MS directions for online registration, Word format, and contain contact Bear Workshop will be announced at a later date. A information for the authors. Submit block of rooms has been reserved at abstracts electronically to Harry Spring 2009 the National Conservation Train- Spiker, [email protected]. The 10th Western Black Bear ing Center. Rooms will be available Deadline for submitting abstracts is Workshop will be hosted by the beginning Monday evening, April 9, January 8, 2007. Nevada Department of Wildlife for individuals arriving early. Regis- Individuals selected for oral in the Reno/Tahoe area, Spring of tration will include workshop sessions, presentations will be required to 2009. Please feel free to send sugges- socials, breaks, guest speaker, and submit a typed manuscript by the end tions on a theme, comments on past proceedings. of the workshop. Manuscripts will be workshops, or any other information published in the Eastern Black Bear you feel is important. Exact dates Theme Workshop Proceedings. Manuscripts are to be determined, but we are Human-Bear Conflict Manage- are not required for poster presenta- hoping to avoid conflicts with other ment: aversive conditioning and tions, although poster abstracts pertinent conferences. Contact Carl information outreach will be included in the proceedings. Lackey at [email protected] or +1 Manuscripts should follow the format 775-720-6130. Schedule of Events required by the journal Ursus (infor- Monday, April 9 mation for authors available at www. Afternoon registration ursusjournal.com). 2007 Captive Bear Evening social for those arriving Husbandry and early Questions? Tuesday, April 10 If you have any questions, Welfare Symposium Morning registration please contact one of the following 1:00 pm Opening remarks, Status individuals. The 2007 Bears Informational Reports Exchange for Rehabilitators, , and 3:00 pm Selected paper Chris Ryan Sanctuaries’ (BIERZS) Captive Bear presentations WV Div. Nat. Resources Husbandry and Welfare Symposium Evening social with selected post- Phone: +1 304-558-2771 is tentatively scheduled for August or ers on display Email: [email protected] September of 2007. Wednesday, April 11 Co-Chairs: Else Poulsen and Jordan Morning workshop session: Harry Spiker Schaul Aversive Conditioning – state MD Dept. Nat. Resources Updates will be posted on www. of the science, its use, and bearkeepers.net/bierzs.htm

30 International Bear News November 2006, vol. 15 no. 4 IBA Membership Application Please Complete Both Sides of Form. Mail or Fax to Address Below. Name______Affiliation______Address______City______State/Province______ZIP+4 or Postal Code______Country______Telephone______Fax______Email______ New  Renewal  Address Change  You may share my membership information with similar organizations. MEMBERSHIP  Standard Membership US$50.00/year, US$45.00/year for three or more years. Includes International Bear News & Ursus. # Years_____ US$______ Please donate my copy of Ursus to a library or deserving recipient.  Institutional Membership US$100.00/year, US$250.00/three years. # Years_____ US$______ For those who cannot afford a Standard Membership, US$25.00/year. Includes International Bear News. If needed, a free copy of Ursus may be requested. # Years_____ US$______ Please send Ursus. I have no access to it, need it & cannot afford Standard Membership.  Donation (if possible!) included to help defray costs of sending Ursus. US$______GIFTS & CONTRIBUTIONS  Gift Standard Membership US$50/year, US$45/year for three or more years. Includes International Bear News & Ursus. # Years_____ US$______ Gift Institutional Membership US$100/year or US$250/three years. # Years_____ US$______ Gift Low-cost Membership US$25/year. Includes International Bear News, not Ursus. # Years_____ US$______Gift Membership for: ______ ______IBA Please Choose a Deserving Gift Recipient.  Tax Deductible Contribution to IBA General Fund. US$______ Tax Deductible Contribution to IBA Bear Conservation Fund. US$______

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Harry Reynolds, President ‡ Andrew Derocher ‡ Michael R. Vaughan ˆ PO Box 80843 Department of Biological Science Virginia Cooperative Fairbanks AK 99708, USA University of Alberta Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Phone: +1 907-479-5169 Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E9, Canada 148 Cheatham Hall, Virginia Tech Email: [email protected] Phone: +1 780-492-5570 Blacksburg VA 24061-0321, USA Fax: +1 780-492-9234 Phone: +1 540-231-5046 Piero Genovesi, Vice President Email: [email protected] Fax: +1 540-231-7580 for Eurasia ˆ Email: [email protected] INFS-National Wildlife Institute Isaac Goldstein ˆ Via Ca’ Fornacetta 9 Wildlife Conservation Society Koji Yamazaki ‡ I-40064 Ozzano Emilia BO, Italy PO Box 833 Zoological Laboratory Phone: +39 051 6512228 IPOSTEL Merida Ibaraki Nature Museum Fax: +39 051 796628 Estado Merida, Venezuela 700 Osaki Email: [email protected] Phone: +58 414-7176792 Iwai-city, Ibaraki 306-0622, Japan Email: [email protected] Phone: +81 297 38 2000 Karen Noyce, Vice President Fax: +81 297 38 1999 for Americas ‡ John Hechtel ‡ Email: [email protected] Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources Alaska Department of Fish and Game 1201 East Highway 2 1800 Glenn Highway, Suite 4 Diana Doan-Crider (non-voting) Grand Rapids MN 55744, USA Palmer AK 99645, USA IBA Student Affairs Coordinator Phone: +1 218-327-4432 Phone: +1 907-746-6331 King Ranch Institute for Ranch Fax: +1 218-327-4181 Fax: +1 907-746-6305 Management Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] MSC 137 Texas A&M University-Kingsville Joseph Clark, Secretary ‡ Djuro Huber ˆ Kingsville TX 78363-8202, USA U.S. Geological Survey University of Zagreb Phone: +1 361-593-5407 Southern Appalachian Field Laboratory Biology Department, Veterinary Faculty +1 361-593-5401 KRIRM Office University of Tennessee Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb Fax: +1 361-593-5404 274 Ellington Hall Republic of Croatia Email: [email protected] Knoxville TN 37996, USA Phone: +385 1 2390 141 Phone: +1 865-974-4790 Fax: +385 1 244 1390 Matthew E. Durnin (non-voting) Fax: +1 865-974-3555 Email: [email protected] International Bear News Editor Email: [email protected] California Academy of Sciences Ole Jakob Sørensen ‡ Ornithology and Mammalogy Frank van Manen, Treasurer ‡ Nord-trondelag University College 875 Howard St. U.S. Geological Survey Faculty of Social Sciences and Natural San Francisco CA 94103, USA Southern Appalachian Field Laboratory, Resources Phone: +1 415-321-8369 University of Tennessee Box 2501 Fax: +1 415-321-8637 274 Ellington Hall N-7729 Steinkjer, China Phone: +8 13701063064 Knoxville TN 37996, USA Phone: +47 74112052 Email: [email protected] Phone: +1 865-974-0200 Fax: +47 74112101 Fax: +1 865-974-3555 Email: [email protected] Richard B. Harris (non-voting) Email: [email protected] Ursus Editor 218 Evans Missoula MT 59801, USA Phone & Fax: +1 406-542-6399 Email: [email protected]

‡ term expires 2007 © Djuro Huber ˆ term expires 2008

International Bear News November 2006, vol. 15 no. 4 35 International Bear News Distribution PO Box 462 NONPROFIT Brookeville MD 20833 U.S. POSTAGE PAID USA SUBURBAN, MD PERMIT NO. 2774 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

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 organization (USA tax #94-3102570) open to professional biologists, wildlife managers, and others dedicated to the conservation of all bear species. The organization has over 550 members from over 50 countries. It supports the scientific management of bears through research and distribution of information. The IBA sponsors international conferences on all aspects of bear biology, ecology, and management. The proceedings are published as peer-reviewed scientific papers in the journal Ursus. IBA Mission Statement Goal: The goal of the International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) is to promote the conservation and restoration of the world’s bears through science-based research, management, and education. Objectives: In support of this goal, IBA’s objectives are to: 1. Promote and foster well-designed research of the highest professional standards. 2. Develop and promote sound stewardship of the world’s bears through scientifically based population and habitat management. 3. Publish and distribute, through its conferences and publications, peer-reviewed scientific and technical information of high quality addressing broad issues of ecology, conservation, and management. 4. Encourage communication and collaboration across scientific disciplines and among bear researchers and managers through conferences, workshops, and newsletters. 5. Increase public awareness and understanding of bear ecology, conservation, and management by encouraging the translation of technical information into popular literature and other media, as well as through other educational forums. 6. Encourage the professional growth and development of our members. 7. Provide professional counsel and advice on issues of natural resource policy related to bear management and conservation. 8. Maintain the highest standards of professional ethics and scientific integrity. 9. Encourage full international participation in the IBA through the siting of conferences, active recruitment of international members and officers, and through financial support for international research, travel to meetings, memberships, and journal subscriptions. 10. Through its integrated relationship with the Bear Specialist Group of the World Conservation Union (IUCN)/Species Survival Commission, identify priorities in bear research and management and recruit project proposals to the IBA Grants Program that address these priorities. 11. Build an endowment and a future funding base to provide ongoing support for IBA core functions and for the IBA Grants Program. 12. Support innovative solutions to bear conservation dilemmas that involve local communities as well as national or regional governments and, to the extent possible, address their needs without compromising bear conservation, recognizing that conservation is most successful where human communities are stable and can see the benefits of conservation efforts. 13. Form partnerships with other institutions to achieve conservation goals, where partnerships could provide additional fund- ing, knowledge of geographical areas, or expertise in scientific or non-scientific sectors.

Deadline for the February 2007 issue is January 5, 2007 printed with soy-based ink on 100% recycled, post-consumer paper