Procedures to Enhance the Success of a Black Bear Reintroduction Program
van Manen FT and Pelton MR. 1997. Procedures to Enhance the Success of a Black Bear Reintroduction Program. Bears: Their Biology and Management. 9(2):67-77
ABSTRACT: Black bears (Ursus americanus) were extirpated from the Big South Fork area (BSFA) of Kentucky and Tennessee around the turn century. We developed a habitat suitability index (HSI) model to study the feasibility of a black bear reintroduction into this area. We applied HSI model to the BSFA and identified high- and low-quality habitat components, their spatial distribution, and their projected change over Potential for human influences seems to be the weakest aspect ofthe BSFA as a successful reintroduction location. In conjunction with the analysis, we developed a detailed release protocol, identifying factors that may further increase the probability of reintroduction success. approach could apply to other bear species and geographic areas because of the flexible structure of HSI models and acceptance of various of data.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- van Manen, Frank; Pelton, Michael
- Units
- BISO
- Keywords
- APHN, Appalachian Highlands Network, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, BISO, black bear, habitat evaluation, Kentucky, mammals, reintroduction, release procedures, SER, Southeast Region, Tennessee, Ursus americanus, wildlife management