Survival of Nuisance American Black Bears Released On-Site in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Clark JE, van Manen FT, Pelton MR. 2003. Survival of Nuisance American Black Bears Released On-Site in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Ursus. 14(2):210-214
ABSTRACT: Since 1990, wildlife biologists in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) have used capture and on-site release as the primary management technique to reduce recurrence of nuisance activity by American black bears (Ursus americanus). On-site release involves the capture and immobilization of bears that frequent developed areas, collection of biological data, and subsequent release in the area of capture. Although several studies have documented the effective- ness of this technique to reduce recurrence of nuisance activity, survival of bears after on-site release has not been thoroughly examined. We monitored 17 black bears (9 males and 8 females) that were radiocollared and released on-site in GSMNP between May 1997 and December 1998. We estimated short-term survival (May-Dec) using the Kaplan-Meier staggered entry procedure. Survival of black bears released on-site in GSMNP was 0.88 (95% CI = 0.70-1.00). We suggest that on-site release of nuisance black bears is an appropriate technique to reduce recurrence of nuisance activity while maintaining an acceptable survival rate in GSMNP.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Clark, Jay; van Manen, Frank; Pelton, Michael
- Units
- GRSM
- Keywords
- American black bear, APHN, Appalachian Highlands Network, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, GRSM, GRSM-00025, Mammalia, nuisance activity, on-site release, SER, Southeast Region, translocation, Ursus americanus