Homing of transplanted Alaskan brown bears
Miller SD and Ballard WB. 1982. Homing of transplanted Alaskan brown bears. The Journal of Wildlife Management. 46(4):869-876
Forty-seven brown bears (Ursus arctos) were captured and transplanted in Alaska in 1979. Post-release data were adequate to evaluate the survival and homing movements for 20 adults and 9 young. At least 12 adults (60%) successfully returned from an average transplant distance of 198 km. Age (for males) and distance transplanted (sexes combined) were directly related to observed incidence of return (P<0.05). Sex or reproductive status did not appear to be related to observed incidence of return. Initial post-release movements of non-homing as well as homing bears indicated that most bears were aware of the correct homing direction. None of the transplanted females was known to have produced young in the year following transplanting. Six of 9 cubs or yearlings transplanted with their mothers were lost. Transplanting nuisance brown bears does not appear to be a reliable management procedure.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Miller, Sterling; Ballard, Warren
- Units
- CAKN , DENA , WRST , YUCH
- Keywords
- Bears, Carnivores, Home Range, Mammals, Movements, Ursus arctos