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Reynolds-Hogland M, Brooks C, Ramsey AB, Hogland JS, Pilgrim KL, Engkjer C, Ramsey PW. Long-term video and genetic data yield insights into complex sociality of a solitary large carnivore. Behav Processes 2024; 214:104972. [PMID: 38016596 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2023.104972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
American black bears (Ursus americanus) may be more social than currently understood. We used long-term video and genetic data to evaluate social interactions among wild, independent-aged black bear on a conservation property in western Montana, USA. We used multinomial logistic regression to evaluate predictions about male-male interactions within the context of individual fitness, female-female interactions within the context of inclusive fitness, and male-female interactions within the context of female counterstrategies to infanticide. Overall, our findings challenged the assumption that independent-aged bears interact only during the mating season or when concentrated feeding sites are present. We documented 169 interaction events by at least 66 bear pairs, 92 (54%) of which occurred outside of the peak mating season and in the absence of concentrated feeding sites. The probability that male-male pairs engaged in play and other non-agonistic behaviours was higher than that for female-female pairs. Conversely, the probability that female-female pairs engaged in chase behaviour was higher than that for male-male and male-female pairs. We documented evidence of female mate choice, female resource defense, sexually selected infanticide (SSI), and female counterstrategies to avoid SSI. Our findings improve our understanding of ursid ethology and underscore the complexity of ursid sociality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - John S Hogland
- USDA Forest Service, USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station, Missoula, MT 59801, USA
| | - Kristine L Pilgrim
- USDA National Genomics Center, USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station, Missoula, MT 59801, USA
| | - Cory Engkjer
- USDA National Genomics Center, USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station, Missoula, MT 59801, USA
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2
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Bowersock NR, Okada H, Litt AR, Gunther KA, van Manen FT. Rub tree use and selection by American black bears and grizzly bears in northern Yellowstone National Park. URSUS 2022. [DOI: 10.2192/ursus-d-21-00009.3] [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)
- Nathaniel R. Bowersock
- Department of Ecology, Montana State University, P.O. Box 173460, Bozeman, MT 59717-3460, USA
| | - Hitomi Okada
- Department of Ecology, Montana State University, P.O. Box 173460, Bozeman, MT 59717-3460, USA
| | - Andrea R. Litt
- Department of Ecology, Montana State University, P.O. Box 173460, Bozeman, MT 59717-3460, USA
| | - Kerry A. Gunther
- Bear Management Office, Yellowstone Center for Resources, Yellowstone National Park, P.O. Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA
| | - Frank T. van Manen
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team, 2327 University Way, Suite 2, Bozeman, MT 59715, USA
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3
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Hairong D, Xiaoliang Z, Minghai Z, Xiangdong R, Lee TM. Spatial Distribution and Conservation Strategies of Large Carnivores in Human-Dominated Landscape: A Case Study of Asiatic Black Bear in Jilin, China. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.882282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Large carnivores maintain the balance of ecosystems. Understanding distribution and population changes are necessary prerequisites for scientific conservation strategy. The east of Jilin Province is the habitat of endangered Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica). The Chinese government has focused the monitoring on protecting the Amur tiger. However, little is known about Asiatic black bear (ABB, Ursus thibetanus) distribution, population dynamics in the wild, and protection awareness of local residents in Jilin Province, China. We conducted a integrative survey in mountain areas of eastern Jilin to determine ABB distribution. We explored the drivers of the distribution of ABB in Jilin using logstic regression, we further predicted the habitat suitability and potential suitable habitat of the ABB. Totally, we surveyed 112 grids (15 km × 15 km) from November 2015 to January 2019. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the main factors driving ABB distribution in Jilin are forest coverage, distance from protected areas, distance from main roads (railways and highways), and distance from water bodies. The results of questionnaire survey showed that the local residents’ understanding of ABB distribution is congruent with our field research. They believed that the number of ABBs has gradually increased in the past ten years. Nevertheless, the local residents have a negative attitude toward the ABBs, which may adversely affect efforts to protect them, possibly leading to more conflicts between humans and bears. Therefore, there is a need to consider ways to change the attitude of the locals through the strengthening of the protection propaganda and advocating management as being critical for the protection of ABBs. Our research provides a scientific basis for future conservation planning. We recommend taking local people’s attitude into consideration during conservation management strategy making to reduce human-bear conflicts and promote the coexistence of humans and bears.
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4
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Gantchoff MG, Conlee L, Belant J. The effectiveness of opportunistic public reports versus professional data to estimate large carnivore distribution. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mariela G. Gantchoff
- Global Wildlife Conservation Center State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry Syracuse New York USA
| | - Laura Conlee
- Missouri Department of Conservation Columbia Missouri USA
| | - Jerrold Belant
- Global Wildlife Conservation Center State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry Syracuse New York USA
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5
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Abstract
Habitat modeling is one of the most common practices in ecology today, aimed at understanding complex associations between species and an array of environmental, bioclimatic, and anthropogenic factors. This review of studies of seven species of terrestrial bears (Ursidae) occupying four continents examines how habitat models have been employed, and the functionality of their predictions for management and conservation. Bear occurrence data have been obtained at the population level, as presence points (e.g., sign surveys or camera trapping), or as locations of individual radio-collared animals. Radio-collars provide greater insights into how bears interact with their environment and variability within populations; they are more commonly used in North America and Europe than in South America and Asia. Salient problematic issues apparent from this review included: biases in presence data; predictor variables being poor surrogates of actual behavioral drivers; predictor variables applied at a biologically inappropriate scale; and over-use of data repositories that tend to detach investigators from the species. In several cases, multiple models in the same area yielded different predictions; new presence data occurred outside the range of predicted suitable habitat; and future range projections, based on where bears presently exist, underestimated their adaptability. Findings here are likely relevant to other taxa.
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6
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Gantchoff MG, Hill JE, Kellner KF, Fowler NL, Petroelje TR, Conlee L, Beyer DE, Belant JL. Mortality of a large wide-ranging mammal largely caused by anthropogenic activities. Sci Rep 2020; 10:8498. [PMID: 32444633 PMCID: PMC7244553 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65290-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
With efforts to restore large mammal populations following extirpations, it is vital to quantify how they are impacted by human activities and gain insights into population dynamics in relation to conservation goals. Our objective was to characterize cause-specific mortality of black bears (Ursus americanus) throughout their range. We first quantified cause-specific mortality for 247 black bears in one harvested and two non-harvested populations. We then simulated a small recolonizing population with and without anthropogenic mortality. Lastly, we conducted a meta-analysis of all published black bear mortality studies throughout North America (31 studies of 2630 bears). We found anthropogenic mortality was greater than natural mortality, non-harvest anthropogenic mortality (e.g. poaching, defense of property, etc.) was greater in non-harvested populations, and harvesting was one of the major causes of mortality for bears throughout their range. Our simulation indicated that removing anthropogenic mortality increased population size by an average of 23% in 15 years. We demonstrated that bears are exposed to high levels of anthropogenic mortality, and the potential for human activities to slow population growth in expanding populations. Management and conservation of wide-ranging mammals will depend on holistic strategies that integrate ecological factors with socio-economic issues to achieve successful conservation and coexistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- M G Gantchoff
- Global Wildlife Conservation Center, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA.
| | - J E Hill
- Global Wildlife Conservation Center, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
| | - K F Kellner
- Global Wildlife Conservation Center, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
| | - N L Fowler
- Global Wildlife Conservation Center, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
| | - T R Petroelje
- Global Wildlife Conservation Center, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
| | - L Conlee
- Missouri Department of Conservation, 65201, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - D E Beyer
- Wildlife Division, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Marquette, MI, 49855, USA
| | - J L Belant
- Global Wildlife Conservation Center, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
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7
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Parsons MA, Lewis JC, Gardner B, Chestnut T, Ransom JI, Werntz DO, Prugh LR. Habitat selection and spatiotemporal interactions of a reintroduced mesocarnivore. J Wildl Manage 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jeffrey C. Lewis
- Washington Department of Fish and WildlifePO Box 43200 Olympia WA 98504‐3200 USA
| | - Beth Gardner
- University of WashingtonBox 352100 Seattle WA 98195‐2100 USA
| | - Tara Chestnut
- National Park Service, Mount Rainier National Park55210 238th Avenue E Ashford WA 98304 USA
| | - Jason I. Ransom
- National Park Service, North Cascades National Park Service Complex810 State Route 20 Sedro‐Woolley WA 98284 USA
| | - David O. Werntz
- Conservation Northwest1829 10th Avenue W, Suite B Seattle WA 98119 USA
| | - Laura R. Prugh
- University of WashingtonBox 352100 Seattle WA 98195‐2100 USA
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Gantchoff MG, Beyer D, Belant JL. Reproductive class influences risk tolerance during denning and spring for American black bears (
Ursus americanus
). Ecosphere 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- M. G. Gantchoff
- Camp Fire Program in Wildlife Conservation College of Environmental Science and Forestry State University of New York New York New York 13210 USA
| | - D. Beyer
- Wildlife Division Michigan DNR Marquette Michigan 49855 USA
| | - J. L. Belant
- Camp Fire Program in Wildlife Conservation College of Environmental Science and Forestry State University of New York New York New York 13210 USA
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9
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Broekhuis F, Madsen EK, Keiwua K, Macdonald DW. Using GPS collars to investigate the frequency and behavioural outcomes of intraspecific interactions among carnivores: A case study of male cheetahs in the Maasai Mara, Kenya. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0213910. [PMID: 30943236 PMCID: PMC6447186 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Intraspecific interactions between individuals or groups of individuals of the same species are an important component of population dynamics. Interactions can be static, such as spatial overlap, or dynamic based on the interactions of movements, and can be mediated through communication, such as the deployment of scent marks. Interactions and their behavioural outcomes can be difficult to determine, especially for species that live at low densities. With the use of GPS collars we quantify both static and dynamic interactions between male cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) and the behavioural outcomes. The 99% home-ranges of males overlapped significantly while there was little overlap of the 50% home-ranges. Despite this overlap, male cheetahs rarely came into close proximity of one another, possibly because presence was communicated through frequent visits to marking posts. The minimum distance between individuals in a dyad ranged from 89m to 196m but the average proximity between individuals ranged from 17,145 ± 6,865m to 26,367 ± 11,288m. Possible interactions took place more frequently at night than by day and occurred mostly in the 50% home-range of one individual of a dyad or where cores of both individuals overlapped. After a possible encounter male cheetahs stayed in close proximity to each other for up to 6 hours, which could be the result of a territory defence strategy or the presence of a receptive female. We believe that one of the encounters between a singleton and a 5-male coalition resulted in the death of the singleton. Our results give new insights into cheetah interactions, which could help our understanding of ecological processes such as disease transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Femke Broekhuis
- Kenya Wildlife Trust, Nairobi, Kenya
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Tubney, United Kingdom
| | - Emily K. Madsen
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environmental Research, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - David W. Macdonald
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Tubney, United Kingdom
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Find’o S, Skuban M, Kajba M, Chalmers J, Kalaš M. Identifying attributes associated with brown bear (Ursus arctos) road-crossing and roadkill sites. CAN J ZOOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2018-0088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Habitat fragmentation caused by transportation infrastructure is an issue of growing concern worldwide. We show how secondary roads may affect landscape permeability for brown bears (Ursus arctos Linnaeus, 1758). We focused on identifying environmental variables that govern the selection of road-crossing zones by bears (crossing model). We also investigated whether variables that characterize road-crossing zones differ from those that are typical for bear–vehicle collision sites (collision model). The study area was located in north-central Slovakia. To identify road-crossing sites, we used the GPS fixes of 27 bears and identified 35 bear–vehicle collision sites from a different data set. We used mixed-effects logistic regression to model resource selection at road-crossing sites and to compare bear-crossing sites with bear-kill sites. The crossing model showed that the traffic volume with distance to forest and grassland were the most influential factors in bear selection of road-crossing sites. Results of the collision model indicated that successful road crossings by bears were located at different road sections from vehicle collisions, which differed by a traffic volume of 5000 vehicles/24 h. The outcomes of this study can facilitate improved mitigation measures on secondary roads.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Find’o
- Carpathian Wildlife Society, Tulská 2461/29, 961 01 Zvolen, Slovakia
- Slovak State Nature Conservancy, Tajovského 28 B, 974 01 Banská Bystrica, Slovakia
| | - M. Skuban
- Carpathian Wildlife Society, Tulská 2461/29, 961 01 Zvolen, Slovakia
| | - M. Kajba
- YMS, a. s. (Inc.), Hornopotočná 1, 917 01 Trnava, Slovakia
| | - J. Chalmers
- Carpathian Wildlife Society, Tulská 2461/29, 961 01 Zvolen, Slovakia
| | - M. Kalaš
- Slovak State Nature Conservancy, Tajovského 28 B, 974 01 Banská Bystrica, Slovakia
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11
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Gantchoff M, Wang G, Beyer D, Belant J. Scale-dependent home range optimality for a solitary omnivore. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:12271-12282. [PMID: 30598817 PMCID: PMC6303745 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2018] [Revised: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Spatial and temporal heterogeneity are fundamental mechanisms structuring home ranges. Under optimality, an individual should structure their space use economically to maximize fitness. We evaluated support for three hypotheses related to range optimality in American black bears (Ursus americanus), predicting (a) range location on a landscape will correspond with high vegetation productivity, (b) increasing forest fragmentation will result in larger ranges, and (c) increasing proportion of forest and/or mean vegetation productivity will result in smaller ranges. We used black bear radio telemetry data from Michigan (2009-2015), Missouri (2010-2016), and Mississippi (2008-2017), USA. Annual space use excluded winter, and we separated seasonal space use into spring, summer, and fall. We collected data from 143 bears (80 females, 63 males), resulting in 97 annual and 538 seasonal ranges. We used generalized linear mixed models to evaluate productivity (estimated through Normalized Difference Vegetation Index [NDVI]) selection, and range size (km2) variation between individuals. At the annual scale, black bears consistently selected areas with greater vegetation productivity than the surrounding landscape; yet selection weakened and was more variable seasonally. Opposite to our prediction, we found that increasing fragmentation consistently resulted in smaller ranges; non-forested land covers and forest edges might provide greater abundance or more diverse foods for bears. Ranges with a greater proportion of forest were smaller, likely reflecting an increase in food and cover which could reduce movements, yet there was no support for more productive ranges also being smaller as expected from an area minimizing strategy. Black bears displayed a scale-dependent space use strategy: at larger spatial and temporal scales, productivity acted as the strongest limiting factor and energy maximizing was the dominant strategy, while an area minimizing strategy was exhibited seasonally. We revealed consistent, scale-dependent responses by black bears to environmental conditions, demonstrating the intrinsic plasticity of this adaptable omnivore.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariela Gantchoff
- Camp Fire Program in Wildlife Conservation, College of Environmental Science and ForestryState University of New YorkSyracuseNew York
| | - Guiming Wang
- Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and AquacultureMississippi State UniversityMississippi StateMississippi
| | - Dean Beyer
- Wildlife DivisionMichigan DNRMarquetteMichigan
| | - Jerrold Belant
- Camp Fire Program in Wildlife Conservation, College of Environmental Science and ForestryState University of New YorkSyracuseNew York
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12
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McFadden-Hiller JE, Belant JL. Spatiotemporal shifts in distribution of a recolonizing black bear population. Ecosphere 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jamie E. McFadden-Hiller
- Carnivore Ecology Laboratory; Forest and Wildlife Research Center; Mississippi State University; Box 9690 Mississippi State Mississippi 39762 USA
| | - Jerrold L. Belant
- Carnivore Ecology Laboratory; Forest and Wildlife Research Center; Mississippi State University; Box 9690 Mississippi State Mississippi 39762 USA
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13
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Ditmer MA, Rettler SJ, Fieberg JR, Iaizzo PA, Laske TG, Noyce KV, Garshelis DL. American black bears perceive the risks of crossing roads. Behav Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/ary020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Ditmer
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife & Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul, MN, USA
| | - Spencer J Rettler
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife & Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul, MN, USA
| | - John R Fieberg
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife & Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul, MN, USA
| | - Paul A Iaizzo
- Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Timothy G Laske
- Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Karen V Noyce
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Grand Rapids, MN, USA
| | - David L Garshelis
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife & Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul, MN, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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14
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Karelus DL, McCown JW, Scheick BK, Oli MK. Microhabitat features influencing habitat use by Florida black bears. Glob Ecol Conserv 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2017.e00367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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15
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Lara‐Díaz NE, Coronel‐Arellano H, López‐González CA, Sánchez‐Rojas G, Martínez‐Gómez JE. Activity and resource selection of a threatened carnivore: the case of black bears in northwestern Mexico. Ecosphere 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.1923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nalleli E. Lara‐Díaz
- Laboratorio de Zoología Facultad de Ciencias Naturales Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro. Av. de las Ciencias S/N Juriquilla Querétaro C. P. 76230 México
| | - Helí Coronel‐Arellano
- Laboratorio de Zoología Facultad de Ciencias Naturales Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro. Av. de las Ciencias S/N Juriquilla Querétaro C. P. 76230 México
| | - Carlos A. López‐González
- Laboratorio de Zoología Facultad de Ciencias Naturales Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro. Av. de las Ciencias S/N Juriquilla Querétaro C. P. 76230 México
| | - Gerardo Sánchez‐Rojas
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo. Km 4.5 carretera Pachuca‐Tulancingo Pachuca Hidalgo C. P. 42184 México
| | - Juan Esteban Martínez‐Gómez
- Red de Interacciones Multitróficas Instituto de Ecología A. C. Carretera antigua a Coatepec 351, El Haya Xalapa Veracruz C. P. 91070 México
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