Homing of black bears in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
-
Published source details
Beeman L.E. & Pelton M.R. (1976) Homing of black bears in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Bears: Their Biology and Management, 3, 87-95.
Published source details Beeman L.E. & Pelton M.R. (1976) Homing of black bears in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Bears: Their Biology and Management, 3, 87-95.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
| Action | Category | |
|---|---|---|
|
Translocate mammals that have habituated to humans (e.g. bears) Action Link |
 |
-
Translocate mammals that have habituated to humans (e.g. bears)
A study in 1967–1974 in forest and grassland in a national park straddling Tennessee and North Carolina, USA (Beeman & Pelton 1976) found that after initial translocation, almost half of the ‘nuisance’ black bears Ursus americanus returned to their capture locations. Of 76 translocated bears, 36 were subsequently caught or seen within ≤8 km of their original capture location at least once (all except two of these were ≤2 km from their capture location). In a 2,072-km2 national park with high recreational use, bears were translocated if they exhibited nuisance behaviour (such as accessing human food). Seventy-six bears (66 male, 10 female) were moved a total of 155 times (1–13 times/bear). Bears were released 6–65 km from capture sites. Translocated bears were ear-tagged and data were collated in 1967–1974, from sightings or recaptures.
(Summarised by: Nick Littlewood)
