An Evaluation of Radioactive Feces Tagging as a Technique for Determining Population Densities of the Black Bear (Ursus americanus) in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Marcum LC. 1974. An Evaluation of Radioactive Feces Tagging as a Technique for Determining Population Densities of the Black Bear (Ursus americanus) in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. University of Tennessee
To evaluate the theory that radioactive tagging scats might aid in estimating bear population density, in 1972 28 bears were injected with radioisotopes. 189 scats from the study area yielded 35 tagged, which led to the estimate of 102 bears. In 1973 32 bears were injected, and 41 tagged scats recovered. Combined with observations of 48 earmarked animals, the total was estimated at 132 and 54 animals, respectively. Density was calculated to be 1 bear per 640 acres. These estimates were believed to be more accurate than those by other systems.
- Type
- Academic
- Authors
- Marcum, Larry
- Date of Issue
- 1974-03
- Publisher
- University of Tennessee
- Units
- GRSM
- Keywords
- Animal Studies, Black Bear (Ursus americanus), Great Smoky Mountains National Park NC TN, GRSM-01694, Isotopes, scat analysis, Tagging, Thesis