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Dori P, Anastasio I, Macchi E, Manenti I, Hones M, Carosi M. Hibernating or not hibernating? Brown bears' response to a mismatch between environmental natural cues and captive management, and its welfare implications. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0306537. [PMID: 39083476 PMCID: PMC11290645 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
In wild brown bears, likely factors triggering hibernation response to harsh environmental conditions are temperature, photoperiod, and food resources availability. In fact, constantly fed captive brown bears are described as skipping hibernation being active all year-round. Is the hibernation response so flexible and subordinate to contingencies, or else is an adaptation that, if dismissed, may negatively impact on bear well-being? This study investigates the potential hibernation response in captive brown bears under unvaried management conditions using an integrative approach simultaneously analyzing multiple animal-based variables together with environmental covariates. Data from a mid-latitude zoo revealed distinct behavioral, fecal glucocorticoids, and body condition score seasonal fluctuations, resembling natural hibernation cycles, despite constant food access. Environmental variables like photoperiod and visitor numbers significantly influenced activity levels. Bears exhibited behaviors indicative of hyperphagia and fall transition, such as appetitive feeding and denning behaviors. Hormonal analyses revealed high fecal cortisol metabolites levels during hyperphagia, suggesting physiological responses to seasonal changes. Findings underscore the importance of environmental cues and food availability in shaping zoo bear behavior and physiology. Considering that the hibernating vs. non-hibernating description might represent an oversimplification, management strategies should deal with captive bear potential need to freely express their adaptive predispositions by accommodating their natural behaviors, such as providing denning spots and adjusting diet composition as soon as typical hyperphagic and predenning behaviors emerge, ultimately enhancing their well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Dori
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Isabella Manenti
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Monica Carosi
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
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2
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Long ME, Stewart KM, Shoemaker KT, Reich H, Lackey CW, Beckmann JP. Selection of den sites and chronology of denning by black bears in the eastern Sierra Nevada and western Great Basin. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11689. [PMID: 38988341 PMCID: PMC11236437 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Use of dens during winter is an important strategy for American black bears (Ursus americanus) for both energy conservation and reproduction; and occupancy of suitable den sites has implications for reproductive fitness. Denning strategies may change as a result of changing climatic conditions and habitat loss. Black bears occupy arid environments in the eastern Sierra Nevada and the western ranges of the Great Basin Ecosystem. Our objectives were to identify: (1) which physical characteristics of habitat influenced selection of den sites at multiple spatial scales and (2) which environmental factors influenced timing of entrance and exit of dens by females and males. We evaluated selection of den sites by black bears at three spatial scales (300, 1000, and 4000 m) from 2011 to 2022. Terrain ruggedness was important for selection of den sites at all spatial scales. Within a 300-m buffer from the den, bears selected den sites with rugged terrain, lower horizontal visibility, and greater canopy cover, resulting in more concealment and protection than that of the surrounding environment. Within 1000- and 4000-m buffers around each den, bears selected den sites with rugged terrain, northern aspects, and steep slopes. At the 4000-m scale, we observed interactions between sex with slope and distance to roads; females selected den sites on steeper slopes and closer to roads than did males. Females remained in the dens longer than males by entering earlier in the autumn and exiting later in the spring. Male bears exited their dens earlier with increasing consecutive days above freezing temperatures, but that relationship was weak for females. Knowing what characteristics are important for selection of den sites, and influence timing of denning, will be important for understanding how shifting climatic patterns will affect bears, particularly in arid environments that may be prone to wider fluctuations in climatic drivers of denning in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan E. Long
- Ecology Evolution and Conservation Biology Graduate Program and Department of Natural Resources and Environmental ScienceUniversity of NevadaRenoNevadaUSA
| | - Kelley M. Stewart
- Ecology Evolution and Conservation Biology Graduate Program and Department of Natural Resources and Environmental ScienceUniversity of NevadaRenoNevadaUSA
| | - Kevin T. Shoemaker
- Ecology Evolution and Conservation Biology Graduate Program and Department of Natural Resources and Environmental ScienceUniversity of NevadaRenoNevadaUSA
| | | | | | - Jon P. Beckmann
- Wildlife Conservation SocietyBozemanMontanaUSA
- Present address:
Kansas Department of Wildlife and ParksPrattKansasUSA
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Oliveira T, Carricondo-Sanchez D, Mattisson J, Vogt K, Corradini A, Linnell JDC, Odden J, Heurich M, Rodríguez-Recio M, Krofel M. Predicting kill sites of an apex predator from GPS data in different multiprey systems. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2023; 33:e2778. [PMID: 36383087 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Kill rates are a central parameter to assess the impact of predation on prey species. An accurate estimation of kill rates requires a correct identification of kill sites, often achieved by field-checking GPS location clusters (GLCs). However, there are potential sources of error included in kill-site identification, such as failing to detect GLCs that are kill sites, and misclassifying the generated GLCs (e.g., kill for nonkill) that were not field checked. Here, we address these two sources of error using a large GPS dataset of collared Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), an apex predator of conservation concern in Europe, in three multiprey systems, with different combinations of wild, semidomestic, and domestic prey. We first used a subsampling approach to investigate how different GPS-fix schedules affected the detection of GLC-indicated kill sites. Then, we evaluated the potential of the random forest algorithm to classify GLCs as nonkills, small prey kills, and ungulate kills. We show that the number of fixes can be reduced from seven to three fixes per night without missing more than 5% of the ungulate kills, in a system composed of wild prey. Reducing the number of fixes per 24 h decreased the probability of detecting GLCs connected with kill sites, particularly those of semidomestic or domestic prey, and small prey. Random forest successfully predicted between 73%-90% of ungulate kills, but failed to classify most small prey in all systems, with sensitivity (true positive rate) lower than 65%. Additionally, removing domestic prey improved the algorithm's overall accuracy. We provide a set of recommendations for studies focusing on kill-site detection that can be considered for other large carnivore species in addition to the Eurasian lynx. We recommend caution when working in systems including domestic prey, as the odds of underestimating kill rates are higher.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Oliveira
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - David Carricondo-Sanchez
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway
| | | | - Kristina Vogt
- Foundation KORA (Carnivore Ecology & Wildlife Management), Ittigen, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Corradini
- Animal Ecology Unit, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all' Adige, Italy
| | - John D C Linnell
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Trondheim, Norway
| | - John Odden
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Oslo, Norway
| | - Marco Heurich
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway
- Wildlife Ecology and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Department of Visitor Management and National Park Monitoring, Forest National Park, Bavarian, Germany
| | | | - Miha Krofel
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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4
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Hatch KA, Kester KA, Loveless A, Roeder BL, van Manen FT. Tooth wear and the apparent consumption of human foods among American black bears (Ursus americanus) in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA. Mamm Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-022-00310-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
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5
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Javornik J, Šturm MB, Jerina K. Four approaches for estimating isotope discrimination factors produce contrasting dietary estimates for bears. URSUS 2021. [DOI: 10.2192/ursus-d-19-00028.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jernej Javornik
- University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical faculty, Department of Forestry, Večna pot 83, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Martina Burnik Šturm
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Mutgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Klemen Jerina
- University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical faculty, Department of Forestry, Večna pot 83, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Van Horn RC, Sheppard JK, Swaisgood RR, Appleton RD, Sanchez RI, Vallejos DJ, Vallejos J, Owen MA. Site characteristics influence Andean bear natal-den selection in dry forest habitat. URSUS 2021. [DOI: 10.2192/ursus-d-19-00036.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Robyn D. Appleton
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, University of British Columbia, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - R. Isaí Sanchez
- Spectacled Bear Conservation Society, Batán Grande, Lambayeque, Peru
| | - D. José Vallejos
- Spectacled Bear Conservation Society, Batán Grande, Lambayeque, Peru
| | - Javier Vallejos
- Spectacled Bear Conservation Society, Batán Grande, Lambayeque, Peru
| | - Megan A. Owen
- San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Escondido, CA 92027-7000, USA
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De Angelis D, Huber D, Reljic S, Ciucci P, Kusak J. Factors affecting the home range of Dinaric-Pindos brown bears. J Mammal 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyab018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Studying how animals interact with their environment is fundamental to informing conservation and management efforts, especially when examining large, wide-ranging carnivores in human-dominated landscapes. We hypothesized that the home ranges of bears are configured to exploit supplemental food (corn) and avoid people. In 2004–2016, we tracked 10 brown bears from the Dinaric-Pindos population using GPS telemetry, then used Brownian bridge movement models to estimate their home ranges. We related seasonal home range size to circadian period and density of supplemental feeding sites using generalized linear mixed-effect models. We also used ecological-niche factor analysis to study habitat composition within home range core areas in study areas characterized by different levels of human encroachment. We found that home range size was inversely related to density of supplemental feeding sites, and bears had larger home ranges at night (x̅ = 103.3 ± 72.8 km2) than during the day (x̅ = 62.3 ± 16.6 km2). Our results also revealed that bears living in more human-influenced areas concentrated their use far from human settlements and agricultural lands but stayed close to supplemental feeding sites. Our data suggest that bears alter their space-use patterns at the home range level in response to anthropogenic land use and food availability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele De Angelis
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell’Universita` 32, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Djuro Huber
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Mickiewicza Av. 33, 31120 Kraków, Poland
| | - Slaven Reljic
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Paolo Ciucci
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell’Universita` 32, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Josip Kusak
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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8
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Wilsterman K, Ballinger MA, Williams CM. A unifying, eco‐physiological framework for animal dormancy. Funct Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Wilsterman
- Biological Sciences University of Montana Missoula MT USA
- Integrative Biology University of California Berkeley CA USA
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Sergiel A, Barja I, Navarro-Castilla Á, Zwijacz-Kozica T, Selva N. Losing seasonal patterns in a hibernating omnivore? Diet quality proxies and faecal cortisol metabolites in brown bears in areas with and without artificial feeding. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0242341. [PMID: 33180870 PMCID: PMC7660533 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Bears are omnivores particularly well-adapted to variations in the nutritional composition, quality and availability of food resources. Artificial feeding practices have been shown to strongly influence diet composition and seasonality, as well as to cause alterations in wintering and movement in brown bears (Ursus arctos). In this study, we investigated seasonal differences (hypophagia vs hyperphagia) in food quality of two brown bear subpopulations in the Polish Carpathians using faecal nitrogen (FN) and carbon (FC) estimates. The subpopulations inhabit areas that differ in artificial feeding practices: no artificial feeding occurs in the western subpopulation (Tatra Mountains), while artificial food targeted to ungulates is provided and used year-round in the eastern subpopulation (Bieszczady Mountains). We also compared these results with faecal cortisol metabolites (FCM) to explore how FN and FC correlate with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity and if the seasonal patterns are apparent. We found that in Tatra Mts bears fed on significantly higher quality diet, as shown by FN and FC values, and had significantly higher FC levels in hyperphagia, when they accumulate fat reserves for wintering. The pattern in FCM levels for Tatra subpopulation followed the changes in energy intake during the seasons of hypo- and hyperphagia, while in Bieszczady Mts, the area with intensive feeding, no seasonal patterns could be observed. Artificial feeding practices may disrupt nutrient phenology and seasonality, relative to subpopulations with natural diets. We showed that the availability of human-provided foods may alter not only the overall dietary quality, but also hormonal patterns linked to seasonal nutritional requirements. Combining FN, FC and FCM proved to be a useful tool for reconstructing diet quality and related physiological patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Sergiel
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
- * E-mail:
| | - Isabel Barja
- Department of Biology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global (CIBC-UAM) Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Nuria Selva
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
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10
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González-Bernardo E, Bombieri G, Mar Delgado MD, Penteriani V. The role of spring temperatures in the den exit of female brown bears with cubs in southwestern Europe. URSUS 2020. [DOI: 10.2192/ursus-d-19-00015.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Giulia Bombieri
- Research Unit of Biodiversity, UMIB (CSIC/UO/PA), E-33600 Mieres, Spain
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11
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García-Rodríguez A, Rigg R, Elguero-Claramunt I, Bojarska K, Krofel M, Parchizadeh J, Pataky T, Seryodkin I, Skuban M, Wabakken P, Zięba F, Zwijacz-Kozica T, Selva N. Phenology of brown bear breeding season and related geographical cues. THE EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/24750263.2020.1801866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- A. García-Rodríguez
- Polish Academy of Sciences, Institute of Nature Conservation, Kraków, Poland
| | - R. Rigg
- Slovak Wildlife Society, Liptovský Hrádok, Slovakia
| | | | - K. Bojarska
- Polish Academy of Sciences, Institute of Nature Conservation, Kraków, Poland
| | - M. Krofel
- Department of Forestry, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - T. Pataky
- Department of Applied Zoology and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Forestry, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovakia
| | - I. Seryodkin
- Laboratory of Ecology and Conservation of Animals, Pacific Institute of Geography of Far East Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, Russia
- Far Eastern Federal University, Vladivostok, Russia
| | - M. Skuban
- Carpathian Wildlife Society, Zvolen, Slovakia
| | - P. Wabakken
- Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway
| | - F. Zięba
- Tatra National Park, Zakopane, Poland
| | | | - N. Selva
- Polish Academy of Sciences, Institute of Nature Conservation, Kraków, Poland
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12
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A dispersing bear in Białowieża Forest raises important ecological and conservation management questions for the central European lowlands. Glob Ecol Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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13
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Seasonal and Daily Activity of Two Zoo-Housed Grizzly Bears (Ursus arctos horribilis). JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL GARDENS 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/jzbg1010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Captive grizzly bears, like their wild counterparts, engage in considerable variability in their seasonal and daily activity. We documented the year-long activity of two grizzly bears located at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Washington. We found that behaviors emerged in relation to month-to-month, seasonal, and time of day (hour-to-hour) observations, and events that occurred on exhibit, such as daily feedings. Seventeen behaviors split into seven classes of behavior were observed during their on-exhibit time over a 13-month period. Inactivity was the most frequent class of responses recorded, with most inactive behaviors occurring during the winter months. Both stereotypic and non-stereotypic activity emerged during the spring and summer months, with stereotypic activity occurring most frequently in the morning and transitioning to non-stereotypic activity in the latter part of the day. Results are discussed with respect to how captive grizzly bear behaviors relate to their natural seasonal and daily activity, as well as how events, such as feeding times and enrichment deliveries, can be used to optimize overall captive bear welfare.
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Patterns of Feeding by Householders Affect Activity of Hedgehogs ( Erinaceus europaeus) during the Hibernation Period. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10081344. [PMID: 32759762 PMCID: PMC7460126 DOI: 10.3390/ani10081344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Urban areas are thought to represent a stronghold habitat for the West European hedgehog population in the UK. However, little is known about hibernation patterns in residential areas and if overwinter activity is influenced by any ”urban-associated” factors. We monitored hedgehog activity in gardens during the winter hibernation period of 2017–2018 using weekly presence/absence surveys. Hedgehogs were more likely to be present in gardens where householders had provided food in previous seasons or where food was supplied more regularly in a given season. Such relationships could have positive or negative effects on the survival or condition of hedgehogs across the hibernation period. Consequently, further research is needed to identify the effects of supplementary feeding on hibernation biology to help inform conservation guidelines for householders. Abstract West European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) are likely to encounter unusual ecological features in urban habitats, such as anthropogenic food sources and artificial refugia. Quantifying how these affect hedgehog behaviour is vital for informing conservation guidelines for householders. We monitored hedgehog presence/absence in gardens in the town of Reading, UK, over the winter of 2017–2018 using a volunteer-based footprint tunnel survey, and collected data on garden characteristics, supplementary feeding (SF) habits, and local environmental conditions. Over a 20-week survey period, hedgehog presence was lowest between January and March. Occupancy analysis indicated that SF significantly affected hedgehog presence/absence before, during, and after hibernation. The number of nesting opportunities available in gardens, average temperatures, and daylength were also supported as important factors at different stages. In particular, our results suggest that SF could act to increase levels of activity during the winter when hedgehogs should be hibernating. Stimulating increased activity at this sensitive time could push hedgehogs into a net energy deficit or, conversely, help some individuals survive which might not otherwise do so. Therefore, further research is necessary to determine whether patterns of feeding by householders have a positive or negative effect on hedgehog populations during the hibernation period.
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González-Bernardo E, Russo LF, Valderrábano E, Fernández Á, Penteriani V. Denning in brown bears. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:6844-6862. [PMID: 32724555 PMCID: PMC7381752 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hibernation represents an adaptation for coping with unfavorable environmental conditions. For brown bears Ursus arctos, hibernation is a critical period as pronounced temporal reductions in several physiological functions occur.Here, we review the three main aspects of brown bear denning: (1) den chronology, (2) den characteristics, and (3) hibernation physiology in order to identify (a) proximate and ultimate factors of hibernation as well as (b) research gaps and conservation priorities.Den chronology, which varies by sex and reproductive status, depends on environmental factors, such as snow, temperature, food availability, and den altitude. Significant variation in hibernation across latitudes occurs for both den entry and exit.The choice of a den and its surroundings may affect individual fitness, for example, loss of offspring and excessive energy consumption. Den selection is the result of broad- and fine-scale habitat selection, mainly linked to den insulation, remoteness, and availability of food in the surroundings of the den location.Hibernation is a metabolic challenge for the brown bears, in which a series of physiological adaptations in tissues and organs enable survival under nutritional deprivation, maintain high levels of lipids, preserve muscle, and bone and prevent cardiovascular pathologies such as atherosclerosis. It is important to understand: (a) proximate and ultimate factors in denning behavior and the difference between actual drivers of hibernation (i.e., factors to which bears directly respond) and their correlates; (b) how changes in climatic factors might affect the ability of bears to face global climate change and the human-mediated changes in food availability; (c) hyperphagia (period in which brown bears accumulate fat reserves), predenning and denning periods, including for those populations in which bears do not hibernate every year; and (d) how to approach the study of bear denning merging insights from different perspectives, that is, physiology, ecology, and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique González-Bernardo
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB, CSIC-UO-PA) Mieres Spain
- Pyrenean Institute of Ecology (IPE-CSIC) Zaragoza Spain
| | - Luca Francesco Russo
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB, CSIC-UO-PA) Mieres Spain
- Department of Biosciences and the Territory Università degli Studi del Molise Pesche Italy
| | - Esther Valderrábano
- COPAR Research Group Faculty of Veterinary University of Santiago de Compostela Lugo Spain
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Iosif R, Pop MI, Chiriac S, Sandu RM, Berde L, Szabó S, Rozylowicz L, Popescu VD. Den structure and selection of denning habitat by brown bears in the Romanian Carpathians. URSUS 2020. [DOI: 10.2192/ursus-d-18-00010.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Iosif
- Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University Ovidius Constanta, 1 Aleea Universitatii, Building B, Constanţa, 900470 Romania
| | - Mihai I. Pop
- Centre for Environmental Research (CCMESI), University of Bucharest, 1 N. Balcescu, Bucharest, 010041 Romania
| | - Silviu Chiriac
- Vrancea Environmental Protection Agency, 2 Dinicu Golescu St., Focsani, 620106 Romania
| | - Radu M. Sandu
- Vrancea Environmental Protection Agency, 2 Dinicu Golescu St., Focsani, 620106 Romania
| | - Lajos Berde
- Covasna Environmental Protection Agency, 10 Grigore Balan St., Sf. Gheorghe, 520082 Romania
| | - Szilárd Szabó
- Harghita Environmental Protection Agency, 43 Márton Áron St., Miercurea Ciuc, 530211 România
| | - Laurenţiu Rozylowicz
- Centre for Environmental Research (CCMESI), University of Bucharest, 1 N. Balcescu, Bucharest, 010041 Romania
| | - Viorel D. Popescu
- Centre for Environmental Research (CCMESI), University of Bucharest, 1 N. Balcescu, Bucharest, 010041 Romania
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17
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Bonin M, Dussault C, Côté SD. Increased trophic position of black bear (Ursus americanus) at the northern fringe of its distribution range. CAN J ZOOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2019-0062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Studies describing the diet of omnivorous species are abundant, but the drivers affecting the balance between animal and plant resources remain unclear. Among those drivers, latitude has been reported to positively correlate with the trophic position of consumers. Using stable isotope analysis, we tested the hypothesis that trophic position of black bears (Ursus americanus Pallas, 1780) is positively correlated with latitude in eastern North America. We sampled 57 bears over a 15° latitudinal gradient in Quebec, Canada, and used stable isotope analysis to assess individual trophic position and metrics of dietary niches. We found a strong positive correlation between trophic position of bears and latitude (r2 = 0.76), which persisted throughout seasons. The width of the dietary niche of bears also appeared to follow a latitudinal pattern, even though bears foraging at the southernmost part of the gradient also showed a wide dietary niche. The impact of latitude on the foraging tactic of omnivores fosters our understanding of their capability to deal with contrasting environmental conditions, especially for species whose distribution ranges are expanding due to climate change. The flexibility of black bear foraging tactic likely allows this species to expand its geographical distribution range toward northern habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaël Bonin
- Caribou Ungava, département de biologie, Centre d’études nordiques, Université Laval, 1045, avenue de la Médecine, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Christian Dussault
- Caribou Ungava, département de biologie, Centre d’études nordiques, Université Laval, 1045, avenue de la Médecine, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Direction de l’expertise sur la faune terrestre, l’herpétofaune et l’avifaune, Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs, 880, chemin Sainte-Foy, Québec, QC G1S 4X4, Canada
| | - Steeve D. Côté
- Caribou Ungava, département de biologie, Centre d’études nordiques, Université Laval, 1045, avenue de la Médecine, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
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Treves A, Krofel M, Ohrens O, van Eeden LM. Predator Control Needs a Standard of Unbiased Randomized Experiments With Cross-Over Design. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Abstract
The increasing trend of large carnivore attacks on humans not only raises human safety concerns but may also undermine large carnivore conservation efforts. Although rare, attacks by brown bears Ursus arctos are also on the rise and, although several studies have addressed this issue at local scales, information is lacking on a worldwide scale. Here, we investigated brown bear attacks (n = 664) on humans between 2000 and 2015 across most of the range inhabited by the species: North America (n = 183), Europe (n = 291), and East (n = 190). When the attacks occurred, half of the people were engaged in leisure activities and the main scenario was an encounter with a female with cubs. Attacks have increased significantly over time and were more frequent at high bear and low human population densities. There was no significant difference in the number of attacks between continents or between countries with different hunting practices. Understanding global patterns of bear attacks can help reduce dangerous encounters and, consequently, is crucial for informing wildlife managers and the public about appropriate measures to reduce this kind of conflicts in bear country.
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The cascading effects of human food on hibernation and cellular aging in free-ranging black bears. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2197. [PMID: 30792484 PMCID: PMC6385323 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-38937-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Human foods have become a pervasive subsidy in many landscapes, and can dramatically alter wildlife behavior, physiology, and demography. While such subsidies can enhance wildlife condition, they can also result in unintended negative consequences on individuals and populations. Seasonal hibernators possess a remarkable suite of adaptations that increase survival and longevity in the face of resource and energetic limitations. Recent work has suggested hibernation may also slow the process of senescence, or cellular aging. We investigated how use of human foods influences hibernation, and subsequently cellular aging, in a large-bodied hibernator, black bears (Ursus americanus). We quantified relative telomere length, a molecular marker for cellular age, and compared lengths in adult female bears longitudinally sampled over multiple seasons. We found that bears that foraged more on human foods hibernated for shorter periods of time. Furthermore, bears that hibernated for shorter periods of time experienced accelerated telomere attrition. Together these results suggest that although hibernation may ameliorate cellular aging, foraging on human food subsidies could counteract this process by shortening hibernation. Our findings highlight how human food subsidies can indirectly influence changes in aging at the molecular level.
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Bojarska K, Drobniak S, Jakubiec Z, Zyśk-Gorczyńska E. Winter insomnia: How weather conditions and supplementary feeding affect the brown bear activity in a long-term study. Glob Ecol Conserv 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
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22
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Fležar U, Costa B, Bordjan D, Jerina K, Krofel M. Free food for everyone: artificial feeding of brown bears provides food for many non-target species. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-018-1237-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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23
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Delgado MM, Tikhonov G, Meyke E, Babushkin M, Bespalova T, Bondarchuk S, Esengeldenova A, Fedchenko I, Kalinkin Y, Knorre A, Kosenkov G, Kozsheechkin V, Kuznetsov A, Larin E, Mirsaitov D, Prokosheva I, Rozhkov Y, Rykov A, Seryodkin IV, Shubin S, Sibgatullin R, Sikkila N, Sitnikova E, Sultangareeva L, Vasin A, Yarushina L, Kurhinen J, Penteriani V. The seasonal sensitivity of brown bear denning phenology in response to climatic variability. Front Zool 2018; 15:41. [PMID: 30410564 PMCID: PMC6211405 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-018-0286-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND For brown bears (Ursus arctos), hibernation is a critical part of the annual life cycle because energy savings during hibernation can be crucial for overwintering, and females give birth to cubs at that time. For hibernation to be a useful strategy, timing is critical. However, environmental conditions vary greatly, which might have a negative effect on the functionality of the evolved biological time-keeping. Here, we used a long-term dataset (69 years) on brown bear denning phenology recorded in 12 Russian protected areas and quantified the phenological responses to variation in temperature and snow depth. Previous studies analyzing the relationship between climate and denning behavior did not consider that the brown bear response to variation in climatic factors might vary through a period preceding den entry and exit. We hypothesized that there is a seasonal sensitivity pattern of bear denning phenology in response to variation in climatic conditions, such that the effect of climatic variability will be pronounced only when it occurs close to den exit and entry dates. RESULTS We found that brown bears are most sensitive to climatic variations around the observed first den exit and last entry dates, such that an increase/decrease in temperature in the periods closer to the first den exit and last entry dates have a greater influence on the denning dates than in other periods. CONCLUSIONS Our study shows that climatic factors are modulating brown bear hibernation phenology and provide a further structuring of this modulation. The sensitivity of brown bears to changes in climatic factors during hibernation might affect their ability to cope with global climate change. Therefore, understanding these processes will be essential for informed management of biodiversity in a changing world.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Delgado
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB, UO-CSIC-PA), Oviedo University, Campus Mieres, 33600 Mieres, Spain
| | - G Tikhonov
- University of Helsinki, PO BOX 65, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - E Meyke
- EarthCape OY, Viikinkaari 6, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - M Babushkin
- Darwin Nature Biosphere Reserve, Borok, 44 p/o Ploskovo, Cherepovets District, Vologda Region Russian Federation 162723
| | - T Bespalova
- Kondinskie Lakes National Park, Komsomolski st., 5, City Sovietsky, Hanty-Mansijsk District Russian Federation 628240
| | - S Bondarchuk
- Sikhote-Alin State Nature Biosphere Reserve named after K.G. Abramov, Partizanskaya 44, Primorsky krai, Terney Russian Federation 692150
| | - A Esengeldenova
- Kondinskie Lakes National Park, Komsomolski st., 5, City Sovietsky, Hanty-Mansijsk District Russian Federation 628240
| | - I Fedchenko
- Pinezhsky State Nature Reserve, Pervomayskaya Street, 123 А, Arhangel Region, Pinezkiy District, Pinega Russian Federation 164610
| | - Y Kalinkin
- Altai State Nature Biosphere Reserve, Naberezhnyi st., 1, Gorno-Altaysk, Altai Republic Russian Federation 649000
| | - A Knorre
- State Nature Reserve Stolby, Kariernaya 26, Krasnoyarsk, Krasnoyarsk Region Russian Federation 660006
| | - G Kosenkov
- Smolenskoe Poozerje National Park, Gurevitch street 19, Demidovskiy District, Przhevalskoe, Smolensk Region Russian Federation 216270
| | - V Kozsheechkin
- State Nature Reserve Stolby, Kariernaya 26, Krasnoyarsk, Krasnoyarsk Region Russian Federation 660006
| | - A Kuznetsov
- Darwin Nature Biosphere Reserve, Borok, 44 p/o Ploskovo, Cherepovets District, Vologda Region Russian Federation 162723
| | - E Larin
- Visimsky Nature Biosphere Reserve, Stepana Razina, 23, Kirovgrad, Russian Federation 624140
| | - D Mirsaitov
- State Nature Reserve Malaya Sosva, Lenina str., 46, Sovetskiy, Tjumen Region Russian Federation 628242
| | - I Prokosheva
- State Nature Reserve Vishersky, Gagarina Street 36 B, Krasnovishersk, Perm Region Russian Federation 618590
| | - Y Rozhkov
- State Nature Reserve Olekminsky, Filatova 6, Olekminsk, Republic Sakha Russian Federation 678100
| | - A Rykov
- Pinezhsky State Nature Reserve, Pervomayskaya Street, 123 А, Arhangel Region, Pinezkiy District, Pinega Russian Federation 164610
| | - I V Seryodkin
- Pacific Geographical Institute, Far-Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 7 Radio Street, Vladivostok, Russian Federation 690041
- Far Eastern Federal University, 8 Sukhanova Street, Vladivostok, Russian Federation 690091
| | - S Shubin
- State Nature Reserve Nurgush, Lenina Street, 129a, Kirov, Russian Federation 610002
| | - R Sibgatullin
- Visimsky Nature Biosphere Reserve, Stepana Razina, 23, Kirovgrad, Russian Federation 624140
| | - N Sikkila
- Kostomuksha Nature Reserve, Priozernaya Street, 2, Kostomuksha, Karelia Republic Russian Federation 186930
| | - E Sitnikova
- Bryansk Forest Nature Reserve, Nerussa St., Zapovednaya Street, 2, Suzemka District, Bryansk Region Russian Federation 242180
| | - L Sultangareeva
- National Park Bashkirija, Nurgush, Abubakirova 1, Meleuzovskiy District, Bashkortostan Republic Russian Federation 453870
| | - A Vasin
- State Nature Reserve Malaya Sosva, Lenina str., 46, Sovetskiy, Tjumen Region Russian Federation 628242
| | - L Yarushina
- Darwin Nature Biosphere Reserve, Borok, 44 p/o Ploskovo, Cherepovets District, Vologda Region Russian Federation 162723
| | - J Kurhinen
- University of Helsinki, PO BOX 65, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Forest Research Institute, Karelian Research Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences, Puskinskaya Street, Petrozavodsk, Russian Federation 11
| | - V Penteriani
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB, UO-CSIC-PA), Oviedo University, Campus Mieres, 33600 Mieres, Spain
- Pyrenean Institute of Ecology (IPE), C.S.I.C., Avda. Montañana 1005, 50059 Zaragoza, Spain
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Chirichella R, Mustoni A, Zibordi F, Armanini M, Caliari A, Apollonio M. Rent a room in the Alps: winter den site preferences of native and reintroduced brown bears. MAMMAL RES 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s13364-018-0402-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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25
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Penteriani V, Delgado MDM, Krofel M, Jerina K, Ordiz A, Dalerum F, Zarzo-Arias A, Bombieri G. Evolutionary and ecological traps for brown bearsUrsus arctosin human-modified landscapes. Mamm Rev 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Penteriani
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB, UO-CSIC-PA); Oviedo University; Campus Mieres 33600 Mieres Spain
- Pyrenean Institute of Ecology (IPE); CSIC; Avda. Montañana 1005 50059 Zaragoza Spain
| | - María Del Mar Delgado
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB, UO-CSIC-PA); Oviedo University; Campus Mieres 33600 Mieres Spain
| | - Miha Krofel
- Department of Forestry and Renewable Forest Resources; Biotechnical Faculty; University of Ljubljana; Vecˇna pot 83 SI-1001 Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Klemen Jerina
- Department of Forestry and Renewable Forest Resources; Biotechnical Faculty; University of Ljubljana; Vecˇna pot 83 SI-1001 Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Andrés Ordiz
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management; Norwegian University of Life Sciences; Postbox 5003 NO-1432 Ås Norway
| | - Fredrik Dalerum
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB, UO-CSIC-PA); Oviedo University; Campus Mieres 33600 Mieres Spain
- Department of Zoology; Stockholm University; 10691 Stockholm Sweden
- Department of Zoology and Entomology; Mammal Research Institute (MRI); University of Pretoria; Private Bag X20 Hatfield 0028 South Africa
| | - Alejandra Zarzo-Arias
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB, UO-CSIC-PA); Oviedo University; Campus Mieres 33600 Mieres Spain
| | - Giulia Bombieri
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB, UO-CSIC-PA); Oviedo University; Campus Mieres 33600 Mieres Spain
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27
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Johnson HE, Lewis DL, Verzuh TL, Wallace CF, Much RM, Willmarth LK, Breck SW. Human development and climate affect hibernation in a large carnivore with implications for human-carnivore conflicts. J Appl Ecol 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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28
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Garshelis DL, Baruch-Mordo S, Bryant A, Gunther KA, Jerina K. Is diversionary feeding an effective tool for reducing human–bear conflicts? Case studies from North America and Europe. URSUS 2017. [DOI: 10.2192/ursu-d-16-00019.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Kerry A. Gunther
- Bear Management Office, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA
| | - Klemen Jerina
- Department of Forestry and Renewable Forest Resources, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 83, 1000 Slovenia
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