Capture and On-Site Release of Nuisance Black Bears and Survival of Orphaned Black Bears Released in The Great Smoky Mountains
Clark JE. 1999. Capture and On-Site Release of Nuisance Black Bears and Survival of Orphaned Black Bears Released in The Great Smoky Mountains. University of Tennessee
ABSTRACT: Since the establishment of Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) in 1934, interactions between black bears (Ursus americanus) and visitors have been a regular occurrence. Prior to 1990, capture and relocation was the primary management alternative for nuisance bears in GSMNP. Since 1990, wildlife biologists in GSMNP have used capture and on-site release as an aversive conditioning technique for nuisance black bears. This technique involves capturing and immobilizing bears that frequent developed areas, collecting biological data, and releasing the bears back into the same area. The premise of this technique is to reinforce the natural fear of humans and thereby reduce the likelihood of return. Although capture and on-site release seems to have had some success in deterring nuisance bears from developed areas of GSMNP, it has not been tested quantitatively. I evaluated capture and on-site release as a management technique for nuisance black bears in GSMNP. The objectives of Part 1 of my study were to identify correlates of success for on-site releases, estimate survival, and evaluate movements in relation to the release sites of nuisance black bears....
- Type
- Academic
- Authors
- Clark, Jay
- Date of Issue
- 1999-08
- Publisher
- University of Tennessee
- Units
- GRSM
- Keywords
- APHN, Appalachian Highlands Network, black bear, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, GRSM, GRSM-00025, mammals, SER, Southeast Region, survival, telemetry, thesis, wildlife management