Guidelines for the Rescue, Rehabilitation, Release and Post-Release Monitoring of Andean bears Armando X. Castellanos P., David A. Jackson & Dr. J. Leonardo Arias C. Authors: Armando X. Castellanos P. President Andean Bear Foundation [email protected] David A. Jackson Executive Director Andean Bear Foundation [email protected] Dr. J. Leonardo Arias C. Wildlife Veterinarian Andean Bear Foundation [email protected] Copyrights: © 2016, Andean Bear Foundation www.osoandino.org www.andeanbear.org Facebook: Andean Bear Foundation The use of the content within this guide is authorized solely for educational and other non- commercial purposes, and on the condition that the source is cited. Suggested Citation: Castellanos, A., Jackson, D. & Arias L . 2016. Guidelines for the rehabilitation, release and post release monitoring of Andean bears. Publisher. Quito - Ecuador. Photo credits: All uncredited photographs were taken by Armando Castellanos, except for two images on the front cover. Bottom left image taken by Shane Buckley, bottom center image taken by Jim Clare and bottom right image taken by Patricio Meza Saltos. This publication was funded by Andean Bear Foundation. This publication is dedicated to my beloved wife Dolores Insuasti and my sons Andres and Francisco, for all their support over the years. – Armando Castellanos – principal author. 2 CONTENTS: Page Prologue 8 Introduction 9 Chapter I: Andean Bear Biology and Ecology 10 Species Description 10 Body Length and Weight 11 Life Expectancy 12 Hematology 12 Genetics 13 Distribution and Habitat Use 13 Distribution in Ecuador 13 Andean Bear Behavior 14 Activity Patterns 15 Home Range, Habitat Use and Movement Patterns 15 Nesting Behavior 16 Diet and Feeding Behavior 16 Reproduction 17 Andean Bear Den in Cloud Forest Habitat 19 Andean Bear Den in Páramo Habitat 19 Conspecific Communication 19 Marking Behavior 20 Role in the Ecosystem 20 Threats and Conservation Status 21 Chapter II: Andean Bear Reintroduction Programs 22 3 Project Planning 22 Finances, Fundraising and Logistics 22 Project Team 22 Licensing Acquisition and Government Requirements 23 Community Participation 24 Bear Rescue Considerations 24 Rescue Protocol 24 Intensive Veterinary Care 25 Selection of Bears for Rehabilitation Programs 25 Quarantine and Initial Adaptation 26 Transport of Cubs and Adult Bears 26 Design and construction of Transport Container 27 Transport Considerations 27 Veterinary Care During Transportation 28 Immobilization 29 Sampling under Anasthetic 29 Emergencies 31 Chapter III: Rehabilitation Facilities 32 Site Considerations 32 Facilities near release sites 32 Facilities far from release sites 32 Rehabillitation Facility Recommendations 33 Vital Components of a Rehabilitation Enclosure 34 Habitat Enrichment 35 Design and Construction of Rehabilitation Enclosures for Adult Bears 37 Rehabilitation Enclosure Design in Cloud Forest Environ ment 37 4 Rehabilitation Enclosure Design In Páramo Environment 40 Design and Construction of Rehabilitation Enclosures for Bear Cubs 41 Conduct Of Personnel During Rehabilitation Programs 42 Rehab Enclosure Maintenance 42 Hygiene and Waste Management 42 Chapter IV: Alimentation Strategies During Rehabilitation 43 Bear Cub Diet 43 Non-natural Alimentation 45 Natural Alimentation 48 Plants and Fruits 48 Animal Protein 51 Chapter V: Release Considerations 54 Determining The Suitability Of Bears For Release 54 Exclusion Criteria 55 Release Types 56 Hard Release 56 Soft Release 56 Release Site Selection 56 Habitat Assessment 57 Potential Conflict 57 Genetic and Health Assessment 58 Release Permit Acquisition 58 Predation and Competition 59 Potential for Post-Release Monitoring 59 Marking of Individuals 59 5 Chapter VI: Release Mission Considerations 61 Timing of Release 61 Release Mission Methods 61 Rehabilitation Enclosure at Release Site 62 Rehabilitation Enclosure in Same Region as Release Site 62 Rehabilitation Enclosure Away From Release Site 62 Transporting Bears by Helicopter 63 Media Involvement and Conduct 64 Chapter VII: Post-Release Activities 64 Post-Release Monitoring 64 Radio Telemetry Monitoring 65 GPS Monitoring 65 Satellite Telemetry Monitoring 66 Evaluating Reintroduction Success 66 Post-Release Problem Solving 67 Relocation 68 Natural Sanctuaries 68 Protected Areas 69 Zoos 70 Recapture 70 Iznachi Trap 71 Iznachi Trap Design 71 Snare Traps 74 Baited Tree 75 Feeding Platform 76 6 Post-Release Outreach and Education 77 Chapter VIII: Captive Management Considerations 77 Captive Breeding Programs 77 Geriatric Andean Bear Care 80 Necropsy 80 Acknowledgments 81 References 82 APPENDICES 85 APPENDIX I: SERUM BIOCHEMICAL AND HEMATOLOGICAL VALUES 85 FOR ANDEAN BEARS IN ECUADOR APPENDIX II: INDEX OF ILLNESSES AND DISEASES COMMONLY 86 EXPERIENCED IN ANDEAN BEAR REHABILITATION PROGRAMS APPENDIX III: IZNACHI RESCUE CENTER ANIMAL RECEPTION FORM 87 APPENDIX IX: VETERINARY REGISTER AND MEDICAL HISTORY ARCHIVE 88 USED AT THE IZNACHI RESCUE CENTER APPENDIX V: NECROPSY REPORT FOR ANDEAN BEARS 89 APPENDIX VI: INDEX OF ALIMENTARY RESOURCES CONSUMED 90 BY ANDEAN BEARS IN THE WILD WITH CAPTIVE ALTERNATIVES WHERE POSSIBLE 7 PROLOGUE Mammalian fauna in Ecuador is characterized by its considerable diversity, with over 400 registered species to date. Of these species few stand out, due to their magnitude and prominence, and are accordingly classified as emblematic or flagship. The Andean Spectacled Bear belongs to this group, and exists in paramo and cloud forest habitats. The ecological importance of the Andean bear is well acknowledged, making it difficult to understand why it is extensively hunted and pursued to such an extent that it is at the point of becoming endangered with extinction. The present geographical distribution of Andean bears is determined by a variety of factors, both natural and anthropic. Human intervention within bear habitat for settlement formation and agricultural expansion is progressively encroaching into more remote areas, leading to a greater overlap between the bears’ and the human domain. The outcome of this is a conflict between bears and humans, resulting in an ever-increasing number of bears being hunted or taken from their natural environment as pets. The rescue and reintroduction of Andean bears into more remote, untouched areas of forest and paramo is often the only alternative to ensure they survive the effects of human intervention. Though techniques of animal reintroduction have evolved greatly over the past few decades, reintroduction programs still pose many difficulties and often incur high costs, yet most of all they necessitate the participation and leadership of specialized personnel. In Ecuador, the principal author, Armando Castellanos, is a biologist that has dedicated a huge portion of his life to the study of mountain tapirs and Andean bears. Associated with the Institute of Biological Sciences of the Polytechnic School (University), Armando has worked towards the conservation of Andean bears in Ecuador since the 1990s, to the point where he is now recognized as the foremost authority with regards to this species. Herewith is the second edition of the “Guidelines for the Rehabilitation, Release and Post Release Monitoring of the Andean Bear”. The manuscript is divided into two segments. The first segment is compiled with detailed information on the biology and ecology of the species, relating extensively to the personal experiences of the three authors. The second segment contains systematic step by step reintroduction guidelines describing key strategies for the many components involved in reintroduction programs such as alimentation, enclosure design, release site selection, and post release monitoring. This guide is a detailed and informative, yet easy to read piece, containing various illustrations that complement the didactic material compiled using the authors’ vast experience of working with Andean bears. Quito, 31 January 2015 Dr. Luis Albuja V. Director of the Biological Sciences Institute. National Polytechnic School (University), Quito, Ecuador. 8 INTRODUCTION Wildlife rehabilitation and reintroduction programs are becoming increasingly common in developing countries. Despite these countries generally possessing large natural areas in which to reintroduce animals back into the wild, such initiatives are not exempt from facing the same controversies and disputes encountered by rehab and reintroduction programs in Europe and North America. The first Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus) reintroduction program was conducted in Ecuador in 1995 in accordance with International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reintroduction guidelines. Since these pioneering attempts many subsequent programs have followed, with each individual experience leading to a greater understanding of the parameters and procedures required to ensure successful Andean bear rehabilitation and reintroduction programs. This guide is the result of experiences gained and lessons learned during the past 20 years of Andean Bear rehabilitation, release and post-release monitoring in which 21 Andean bears (11 females and 10 males) of different ages have been released back into their native habitat in Ecuador. Its content is also a result of extensive wild Andean Bear research carried out through the capture and monitoring of 23 wild bears, and during the captive management of over 70 individuals in rescue centers and zoos. These collective activities have facilitated the compilation of a vast amount of information and data that have