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Post by brobear on Dec 31, 2019 18:00:06 GMT -5
bearwithus.org/8-bears-of-the-world/?fbclid=IwAR0kx4pDGjKN6r4l6K07C1ahnw_BM7-4Aq0qkx4ygqX9QdxmD8D1F-tysuI 5-Andean Bear or Spectacled Bear – Tremarctos ornatus Most scientists refer to spectacled bears as Andean bears (they are found only in the Andes mountains in South America). The bears are an endangered species, listed as Vulnerable, and it is illegal to kill them. The Andean bear is the last remaining short-faced bear (subfamily Tremarctinae) and the closest living relative to the Florida spectacled bear and short-faced bears of the Middle Pleistocene to Late Pleistocene age. Spectacled bears are the only surviving species of bear native to South America, and the only surviving member of the subfamily Tremarctinae. The Spectacled Bear is technically the largest land carnivore on that continent, although as little as 5% of its diet is composed of meat. South America’s largest obligate carnivore is the jaguar. Among South America’s extant, native land animals, only the Baird’s and South American Tapirs are heavier than this species. The Spectacled bear is a mid-sized species of bear. Overall its fur is blackish in color, though bears may vary from jet black to dark brown and to even a reddish hue. The species typically has distinctive beige-coloured marking across its face and upper chest, though not all Spectacled bears have “spectacle” markings. The pattern and extent of pale markings are slightly different on each individual bear and bears can be readily distinguished by this. Males are a third larger than females in dimensions and sometimes twice their weight. Males can weigh 100 – 200 kilograms (220 – 440 lb), and females 35 –82 kilograms (77 – 181 lb). Length can range from 120 to 200 cm (47–79 in), with a tail length of a mere 7 cm (2.8 in), and shoulder height from 60 to 90 cm (24–30 in). Compared to other living bears, this species has a more rounded face with a relatively short and broad snout. In some extinct species of the Tremarctinae subfamily, this facial structure has been thought to be an adaptation to a largely carnivorous diet, despite the modern Spectacled bears’ herbivorous dietary preferences. Credit -text- Wikipedia. Photo credits-files from the Wikimedia Commons.
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Post by brobear on May 1, 2020 7:38:52 GMT -5
www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/s/spectacled-bear/ Intensely shy bears, they prefer the lush, isolated cloud forests on the slopes of the Andes, climbing as high as 14,000 feet. They will descend to search for food though, and have been seen in widely differing habitats, from rain forests, to steppe lands, to coastal deserts. Spectacled bears are generally nocturnal and are primarily vegetarian, harvesting fruit, berries, cacti, and honey. Highly agile climbers, they have been known to sit in a tree for days on a platform made of broken branches, waiting for fruit to ripen. They have extremely strong jaws and wide, flat molars to chew tough vegetation such as tree bark and orchid bulbs. Occasionally they will supplement their diet with meat, taking small rodents, birds, insects, and even small cows, making them the largest carnivores in South America. Quote: They have extremely strong jaws.
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Post by brobear on Jun 12, 2020 16:37:53 GMT -5
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Post by OldGreenGrolar on Jun 12, 2020 19:00:27 GMT -5
/\Transport him to a far away location where there are no humans or let him continue to live where he is. He only kills to live. It is not like he is going to kill off everything.
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Post by King Kodiak on Jun 12, 2020 23:55:16 GMT -5
Reply #22, that article is from 2013, i wonder what finally happened to him. Anyhow, yeah, he killed about 250 head of livestock, so that is definitely a problem bear that is causing much economic problems. You guys know my opinion, never kill a bear, not even this bear. I would find him, tranquilize him, and put him in captivity, thats my opinion.
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Post by brobear on Sept 6, 2021 5:06:20 GMT -5
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/08/210823110328.htm Researchers spot a 'golden' bear while studying endangered spectacled bears in Peru. The number of spectacled bears in Peru might be larger than suspected, a new study suggests. A team of researchers studied the population of the endangered species in Northern Peru. By identifying individuals through facial patterns, they were able to estimate the population density in the area and identify an unknown hotspot. Intriguingly, the researchers also observed the first 'golden' bear. The number of spectacled bears in Peru might be larger than suspected, a new study in "URSUS" suggests. A team of researchers from Gothenburg University, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) and Stony Brook University studied the population of the endangered species in Northern Peru. By identifying individuals through facial patterns, they were able to estimate the population density in the area and identify an unknown hotspot. Intriguingly, the researchers also observed the first "golden" bear. The spectacled bear Tremarctos ornatus is a shy creature: Little is known about the ecology and behaviour of these animals. They were falsely believed to be nocturnal until the mid-2000s. "Because they are so elusive, it is difficult to study their ecology and to figure out how to protect them as a species," says lead author Wilhelm Osterman from Gothenburg University. However, the spectacled bear is a keystone species of the Andean ecosystem; it is the only bear native to South America and is considered an umbrella species. Protecting it would be hugely beneficial for other species as well. Listed on the IUCN Red List, the bear is threatened to extinction as a result of habitat fragmentation and human-bear conflicts. During their research stay, the team originally intended to explore the behaviour of the yellow-tailed woolly monkey, a rare monkey that is only found in the Peruvian Andes. "But locals and members of the NGO YUNKAWASI told us that bears had been regularly spotted nearby. That stroked our interest because studying spectacled bears in real time was a unique opportunity," says biologist Julia Osterman from MLU. Working closely with the local community, the researchers developed a protocol to systematically observe the animals in the Copal region, which consists mostly of grasslands and a few scattered forests. On each research trip, the team was accompanied by at least one local guide. The researchers got lucky and were able to observe the endangered animal on multiple occasions including up to four bears in a single day. When the team spotted an animal, they photographed it and recorded its behaviour and location. The bears were given individual identities based on their facial patterns which served as a basis for calculating the population density for the Copal/Copallin? region. They estimate there are more than 10 bears per 100 square kilometres (38.6 square miles), which is at least double what had been previously established. Coincidently, the team was able to report another "first." During their fieldwork they spotted one particular individual with nearly golden fur and an uncanny resemblance to the popular children's book character "Paddington Bear." According to the book, written by Michael Bond (1926 -- 2017), Paddington Bear also comes from Peru. Usually, the spectacled bear's fur is almost completely black. "To see a real-life golden bear with your own eyes is an amazing experience," says Fanny Cornejo from Stony Brook University. However, it remains a mystery why the one individual has golden fur and further investigation would be required. The researchers point out that their observations may only indicate a local hotspot and it could be difficult to extrapolate the estimates to larger areas. Still, the discovery that spectacled bears appear in clusters could play an important role in their conservation because they are thought to require large territories. "Setting aside large areas for conservation purposes is great but it is often not feasible. Deforestation and increased agriculture due to human activity often make it difficult to create large reserves. Protecting smaller areas is more easily accepted by local communities, which is a really important factor to consider," says Wilhelm Osterman. Therefore, small areas where bears gather for feeding, like Copal, could be tremendously valuable to conservation efforts that go beyond a single species and should be more closely examined.
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Post by brobear on Sept 11, 2021 4:00:31 GMT -5
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Post by OldGreenGrolar on Sept 11, 2021 8:03:55 GMT -5
/\ Paddington came from this bear above.
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Post by brobear on Oct 11, 2021 5:13:39 GMT -5
news.mongabay.com/2021/06/the-secret-bears-of-bolivias-lost-dry-forests/ The secret bears of Bolivia’s lost dry forests. EL PALMAR, Bolivia — It was worth the journey. After sweating across the scrubby Bolivian mountainsides, stepping into the forest was like entering a different world. Twisted pino de monte pines trailed ghostly green-gray lichens into our faces. Ferns and, much to my surprise, moss sprung from the cracks in the bark and the little nooks where the branches met the trunks. The temperature seemed to drop by at least 10 degrees. But it was more than just the break from the heat; my eyes greedily drunk in the sight of so much green and so many complex textures, after miles of looking at dry soils and sparse, thorny bushes. This place, high in the Bolivian Andes, looked like it held ancient secrets — and my traveling companion, Mauricio Peñaranda del Carpio, a biologist at Universidad Francisco Xavier de Chuquisaca and the Cohabitar Foundation, confirmed it. We were on our way to one such wonder: the “Bath of the Condors,” a cliff that trapped small pools of water where Andean condors (Vultur gryphus) came to bathe. We saw seven condors that day, soaring like flying doors as they stretched out their immense wings. That was, according to Peñaranda, a bad day: on a good day, you could see 70. But Peñaranda, who had invited me to El Palmar, was not here for the condors. He was here for the bears. Hidden treasure The most endangered forests in the world are not the ones that make the headlines. They are the ones cut down so long ago hardly anyone knows that a few patches still exist — or the treasures they contain. Despite being just a few hours’ drive from Sucre, the judicial capital of Bolivia, El Palmar Integrated Management Natural Area is visited by an average of just one tourist a day — and that was before COVID-19. Few people know that this protected area contains some of the best-preserved remnants of a forest that once covered much of the inter-Andean valleys. But in these forgotten forests, Peñaranda recently discovered something wonderful: a small population of Andean spectacled bears (Tremarctos ornatus). “What is remarkable about this record of the Palmar bears,” he told Mongabay, “is that it leads us to think that it is a remnant population of what was once a wider distribution of the animal in this type of ecosystem. At the same time, it shows us the fragility of this species [to habitat destruction].” The inter-Andean dry forests once covered swaths of the landscapes at elevations of 500-3,300 meters (1,640 -10,800 feet) in Bolivia and, to a lesser extent, Peru, which often have a relatively dry climate due to the “rain shadow” effect of the higher Andean peaks. The microclimate here can vary dramatically from valley to valley, and with it the tree species; but these diverse forests would once have covered about 4% of what is now Bolivia.
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Post by brobear on Oct 12, 2021 12:27:58 GMT -5
news.mongabay.com/2019/04/peru-get-to-know-the-diverse-wildlife-of-the-cloud-forests-of-pampa-hermosa-videos/ Peru: Get to know the diverse wildlife of the cloud forests of Pampa Hermosa. Biologist Sean McHugh, along with filmmaker and photographer Jasmina McKibben, recently traveled to the Colibri cloud forest in Peru’s Pampa Hermosa district in search of the spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus). They knew it is an area rich in biodiversity that had been studied very little. The Colibri cloud forest is in the Junín region of Peru and just south of Pui-Pui Protection Forest, and McHugh and McKibben chose an area 10 miles away from Pui-Pui for their study. For three months, they traversed the valleys, slopes and peaks of the forest, installing and checking 28 camera traps. What they found exceeded their expectations: at least 25 different species of mammals, including a new population of yellow-tailed woolly monkeys (Oreonax flavicauda) inhabited the area. Due to its unique characteristics that are distinct from other yellow-tailed woolly monkeys, McHugh thinks this population could actually constitute a separate species. “I like to study unknown places with difficult geography, and Pampa Hermosa is one of those places,” McHugh said. “I learned, additionally, that it has unique mammals.” McKibben said that a major part of her adult life has been dedicated to searching for wild animals, which has enabled her to “encounter some of the most fascinating species on the planet.” An encounter with a spectacled bear: Photos of two spectacled bears are now part of the collection of images being analyzed by McHugh and McKibben. The pair of researchers work for Rainforest Partnership, an organization that has helped to protect biodiversity in indigenous and rural communities in the central Peruvian rainforest for 10 years. Some of the videos recorded by McHugh and McKibben show spectacled bears walking through the forest and wrapping their arms around trees. McKibben says that actually they were able to see 13 bears, but one of the sightings was not recorded on video – researchers saw the bear on a path on one of their trips through the cloud forest. “It stopped to watch us and climbed a tree to observe us,” McKibben said. “I wanted to run away, but Sean, with his experience with large animals, told me that the best thing to do was stay quiet and be calm.” McKibben took as many photos as possible while McHugh spoke softly to the bear. Later, the spectacled bear came down from the tree and left. In addition to spectacled bears, the videos also show a Junín red squirrel (Hadrosciurus pyrrhinus) running between the trees, a type of deer called a red brocket (Mazama americana) searching for food among the leaves, a southern naked-tailed armadillo (Cabassous unicinctus), a rare, large rodent called a pacarana (Dinomys branickii), a collared peccary (Pecari tajacu), and a brown agouti (Dasyprocta variegata). The cameras also captured wild cats like the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) and the margay (Leopardus wiedii), as well as a white-fronted capuchin (Cebus yuracus) and a pair of neotropical otters (Lontra longicaudis) entering a river. The spectacled bear is listed as Vulnerable by the the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), so the species could decline over time. McHugh says that this is one of the isolated populations highlighted by the IUCN, and explains that this species inhabits grasslands at high elevations that known as “paramos” or “pampas.” The species can also live in cloud forest, such as in Pampa Hermosa.
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Post by brobear on Jun 9, 2022 8:41:24 GMT -5
Tremarctos ornatus (Carnivora: Ursidae) July 2021 www.researchgate.net/publication/353270681_Tremarctos_ornatus_Carnivora_Ursidae Abstract: Tremarctos ornatus (F.G. Cuvier, 1825) is a tremarctine bear commonly known as the Andean bear. It is a medium-sized bear with black to dark red-brown pelage with dense, long, coarse fur; creamy white marks occur on the chin, neck, and chest, and often white to creamy marks occur on the face, around the muzzle, and eyes. It is distributed in the tropical Andes of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Perú, Bolivia, and northern Argentina in South America. T. ornatus is catalogued as "Vulnerable" (VU) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources and is included in CITES Appendix I. Main threats include habitat loss and fragmentation, illegal killing, human-bear conflicts, and most likely climate change. ... In the Himalayas, brown bears have been recorded at >5000 m, and Andean bears recorded above 4000 m. Asiatic black bears match or exceed Andean bears in maximum elevation, but only due to a higher treeline. However, Asiatic black bears make seasonal forays into treeless alpine areas.
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Post by brobear on Jul 5, 2022 2:09:21 GMT -5
A study on Himalayan Brown Bear in India by Rajkishore Mohanta and Prakash Mardaraj. Spectacled Bear ( Tremarctos ornatus ) Appearance The spectacled bear is small and dark, ranging in colour from black to brown with distinctive circular or semicircular creamy white markings on the face around the eyes - giving the impression of spectacles. These light to golden marks often extend over its muzzle and down its chest, varying from bear to bear. The fur is somewhat shaggy. Size These are intermediate-sized bears. Adult male spectacled bears can measure up to 2 meters in length and can weigh over 170 kg. but the average size is closer to 1.8 meters in length, and 100 kg. in weight, with a 3 inch long tail. females are smaller, two thirds the size of males. At birth, cubs weigh from 300 to 360 grams. Habitat Spectacled bears are highly adaptable and are found in a wide range of habitats around the South American Andes mountains, including rainforests, cloud forest, dry forest, steppe lands and coastal scrub desert. Possibly, because of loss of habitat and persecution by humans, they appear to be more common in heavy forest. Distribution This is the only bear species living in South America. In fact it is the only bear which lives solely in the southern hemisphere. They are mainly found in fragmented small populations in the Andes Mountains in Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia.
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Post by brobear on Jul 5, 2022 2:23:29 GMT -5
Diet Compared to other bears, spectacled bears have a more vegetarian diet. However, meat can make up a small percentage of their diet at certain times of the year when they will eat insects, small animals and even take cattle given the opportunity. Their main diet is extremely varied and consists of fruit, berries, honey and agricultural crops such as maize and sugarcane. Cactus, tough palm nuts, and spiny leaved bromeliad plants rejected by most animals are easily chewed up by the bears' strong teeth and powerful jaws. Tree nests are often constructed as a platform to feed from fruit-laden branches and to sleep in. Threats and Status The main threat is human encroachment into the bears' habitat. Slash and burning for crop and livestock farming has taken a heavy toll on the bears' habitat. Farmers view the bears as pests and will kill them as such. There is also a trade in bear parts for traditional local folk medicine. Estimates vary but there may be as few as 20,000 left in the wild. They are perhaps the most threatened of all the bears except the giant panda.
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Post by brobear on Nov 18, 2022 9:10:04 GMT -5
SPECTACLED BEAR (TREMARCTOS ORNATUS) faunafocus.com/portfolio/spectacled-bear/ The spectacled bear is the last remaining short-faced bear and the only bear species native to South America. Known as the “Andean Bear”, these elusive and arboreal ursine spend much of their time in the trees of the Andes Mountains. Although omnivorous, 95% of the bear’s diet consists of plants, such as bromeliads and fruits. Spectacled bears are medium-sized bears that are typically uniformly black in color, but brown and reddish-brown individuals have been observed. The Andean bear’s dense coat is of medium to long length and they have a short tail, about 7 centimeters long, (2.8 inches,) that is often completely hidden by the fur. They have a robust, stocky build; rounded head; small, round ears; a short, thick, muscular neck; short but strong legs; and a stout muzzle that is relatively short compared to other bear species. Spectacled bears have white, cream, beige, pale yellow, ginger, or tan markings on the face that create rings around the eyes and often extend down the chest, forming a bib-like patch of light fur. These lighter markings are highly variable, unique to each individual, and may be absent altogether. Just as humans have different fingerprints, no two bears have the same patterns, allowing individuals to be easily identified from each other. Andean bears average 60-115 kilograms, (132-254pounds,) but can range from 35-200 kilograms, or 77-441 pounds. They range from 1.2-2 meters, (3.9-6.6 feet,) in length and their shoulders stand at 70-90 centimeters, (2.3-3 feet.)eru. Spectacled bears are the largest land carnivore and second largest terrestrial mammal in South America, after the lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris). The spectacled bear rivals the polar bear (Ursus maritimus) for the most sexually dimorphic modern bear. Male spectacled bears are up to 50% larger than females and are sometimes twice their weight. Males typically weigh 100-200 kilograms, (220-441 pounds,) while females range from 35-82 kilograms (77-181 pounds.) On average, males weigh about 115 kilograms, (254 pounds,) and females 65 kilograms, (143 pounds.) Mature males do not measure less than 150 centimeters, or 59 inches, in length. Relative to their body size, spectacled bears have the largest zygomaticomandibularis muscle of any bear species. This musculature feature, along with the blunt lophs of the cheek teeth, are adaptations for their primarily herbivorous diet. Like all bears, spectacled bears walk on the soles of their feet and are equipped with a plantigrade stance. Their front limbs are longer than their hind limbs, giving them amazing climbing abilities. Spectacled bears are excellent climbers and spend a fair amount of time in trees. Not much is known about the average lifespan of a wild spectacled bear, but it is believed to be around 20 years. The average lifespan of Andean bears in captivity is around 25 years. The longest recorded lifespan was at the National Zoo in Washington D.C., where the bear lived to be 36 years, 8 months of age.
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Post by brobear on Nov 18, 2022 9:14:29 GMT -5
The Sanctuary of the Andean Bears/Spectacled Bears (lo Santuario de los Osos Andinos/Osos de Anteojos) at 2,610 meters (8,562 ft) above sea level, Azuay: Bioparque Amaru Zoológico Cuenca, the Southern Highlands, Ecuador. www.flickr.com/photos/eliasroviello/49334625791 The spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus), also known as the Andean bear, Andean short-faced bear, or mountain bear and locally as jukumari (Aymara and Quechua), ukumari (Quechua) or ukuku, is the last remaining short-faced bear (subfamily Tremarctinae). Its closest relatives are the extinct Florida spectacled bear, and the giant short-faced bears of the Middle to Late Pleistocene age (Arctodus and Arctotherium). Spectacled bears are the only surviving species of bear native to South America, and the only surviving member of the subfamily Tremarctinae. The species is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN because of habitat loss. The spectacled bear is the only bear native to South America, and is the largest land carnivoran on that part of the continent, although as little as 5% of its diet is composed of meat. South America's largest obligate carnivorous mammal is the jaguar (Panthera onca). Among South America's extant, native land animals, only the Baird's tapir (Tapirus bairdii), South American tapir (T. terrestris) and mountain tapir (T. pinchaque) are heavier than this species. The spectacled bear is a mid-sized species of bear. Overall, its fur is blackish in colour, though bears may vary from jet black to dark brown and to even a reddish hue. The species typically has distinctive beige or ginger-coloured markings across its face and upper chest, though not all spectacled bears have "spectacle" markings. The pattern and extent of pale markings are slightly different on each individual bear, and bears can be readily distinguished by this. Males are a third larger than females in dimensions and sometimes twice their weight. Males can weigh from 100 to 200 kg (220 to 440 lb), and females can weigh from 35 to 82 kg (77 to 181 lb). Head-and-body length can range from 120 to 200 cm (47 to 78.5 in), though mature males do not measure less than 150 cm (59 in). On average males weigh about 115 kg (254 lb) and females average about 65 kg (143 lb), thus it rivals the polar bear for the most sexually dimorphic modern bear. A male in captivity that was considered obese weighed 222.5 kg (491 lb). The tail is a mere 7 cm (2.8 in) in length, and the shoulder height is from 60 to 90 cm (23.5 to 35.5 in). Compared to other living bears, this species has a more rounded face with a relatively short and broad snout. In some extinct species of the Tremarctinae subfamily, this facial structure has been thought to be an adaptation to a largely carnivorous diet, despite the modern spectacled bears' herbivorous dietary preferences.
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Post by brobear on Nov 18, 2022 9:35:24 GMT -5
Researchers spot a “golden” bear while studying endangered spectacled bears in Peru Paddington, is that you? www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/926111 The number of spectacled bears in Peru might be larger than suspected, a new study in "URSUS" suggests. A team of researchers from Gothenburg University, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) and Stony Brook University studied the population of the endangered species in Northern Peru. By identifying individuals through facial patterns, they were able to estimate the population density in the area and identify an unknown hotspot. Intriguingly, the researchers also observed the first "golden" bear. The spectacled bear Tremarctos ornatus is a shy creature: Little is known about the ecology and behaviour of these animals. They were falsely believed to be nocturnal until the mid-2000s. "Because they are so elusive, it is difficult to study their ecology and to figure out how to protect them as a species," says lead author Wilhelm Osterman from Gothenburg University. However, the spectacled bear is a keystone species of the Andean ecosystem; it is the only bear native to South America and is considered an umbrella species. Protecting it would be hugely beneficial for other species as well. Listed on the IUCN Red List, the bear is threatened to extinction as a result of habitat fragmentation and human-bear conflicts. During their research stay, the team originally intended to explore the behaviour of the yellow-tailed woolly monkey, a rare monkey that is only found in the Peruvian Andes. "But locals and members of the NGO YUNKAWASI told us that bears had been regularly spotted nearby. That stroked our interest because studying spectacled bears in real time was a unique opportunity," says biologist Julia Osterman from MLU. Working closely with the local community, the researchers developed a protocol to systematically observe the animals in the Copal region, which consists mostly of grasslands and a few scattered forests. On each research trip, the team was accompanied by at least one local guide. The researchers got lucky and were able to observe the endangered animal on multiple occasions including up to four bears in a single day. When the team spotted an animal, they photographed it and recorded its behaviour and location. The bears were given individual identities based on their facial patterns which served as a basis for calculating the population density for the Copal/Copallin? region. They estimate there are more than 10 bears per 100 square kilometres (38.6 square miles), which is at least double what had been previously established. Coincidently, the team was able to report another "first". During their fieldwork they spotted one particular individual with nearly golden fur and an uncanny resemblance to the popular children’s book character "Paddington Bear". According to the book, written by Michael Bond (1926 - 2017), Paddington Bear also comes from Peru. Usually, the spectacled bear’s fur is almost completely black. "To see a real-life golden bear with your own eyes is an amazing experience", says Fanny Cornejo from Stony Brook University. However, it remains a mystery why the one individual has golden fur and further investigation would be required. The researchers point out that their observations may only indicate a local hotspot and it could be difficult to extrapolate the estimates to larger areas. Still, the discovery that spectacled bears appear in clusters could play an important role in their conservation because they are thought to require large territories. "Setting aside large areas for conservation purposes is great but it is often not feasible. Deforestation and increased agriculture due to human activity often make it difficult to create large reserves. Protecting smaller areas is more easily accepted by local communities, which is a really important factor to consider," says Wilhelm Osterman. Therefore, small areas where bears gather for feeding, like Copal, could be tremendously valuable to conservation efforts that go beyond a single species and should be more closely examined. Study: Osterman W., Cornejo F.M., Osterman J., An Andean bear population hotspot in Northern Peru. Ursus (2021). DOI: 10.2192/URSUS-D-20-00005.3
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Post by brobear on Nov 18, 2022 9:36:39 GMT -5
The golden bear with the uncanny resemblance to Paddington bear
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Post by Montezuma on Dec 13, 2022 14:21:35 GMT -5
Bears and people in Apolobamba, Bolivia: Culture, Conflict and Conservationwww.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://kar.kent.ac.uk/86278&ved=2ahUKEwjnm_OOp_f7AhWY8rsIHYqDCNQQFnoECAcQAQ&authuser=2&usg=AOvVaw0lUx6TazN99U4Lx6Ska-BpHere is a large PDF file by the renowned Spectacled Bear expert, Susan Paisley discussing about Andean bear's role in myth and culture, ecology, management, conflict with humans, reservation, population and their descrption etc, in the region of Apolobamba in Bolivia. Now, i have read a bit from it, but believe me, its very informative and interesting and everybody interested with modern short-faced bears should have a look on this publication.
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Post by brobear on Dec 13, 2022 17:40:38 GMT -5
From Montezuma's post above; Andean bears and people in Apolabamba, Bolivia : culture, conflict and conservation Abstract This thesis deals in qualitative and quantitative terms with the interaction between Andean bears and people in Apolobamba, Bolivia. This mountain range is an important stronghold for this species, which is little-studied and yet of considerable conservation concern. Apolobamba is also a stronghold for traditional beliefs and attitudes towards bears. In addition, this area afforded the opportunity to compare human-bear interaction between people living in and outside of a protected area. Key ecological findings include the first description of the activity patterns of the species - both bears having displayed diurnal activity with two peaks on either side of a midday trough. Movement patterns, also previously undescribed for this species, were characterised by highly overlapping moderately sized home ranges. Seasonal variation was documented in activity patterns and in habitat use according to changes in the availability of bear foods. In an omnivorous diet similar to what has been found in other studies, bromeliads were shown to be a staple food of markedly low nutritive value - highlighting the attraction of anthropogenic food sources such as maize and beef. Myths and rituals relating to bears were documented. The famous "Bear's Son" tale was far from being the only bear-related story in circulation, contrary to what had previously been supposed. Accompanying the wide range of depictions of bears in these stories, there was also documented a wide range of bear-related beliefs and attitudes. At one extreme, the beat was thought merely a pest animal, no good for anything, dangerous to people and its possible extinction considered good. At the other extreme, the bear was thought God-like, possessing seven human souls, with a high medicinal value to its body parts and its possible extinction considered tragic. Perceived depredation of crops and livestock was high, although this was not corroborated by investigations on the ground. Frustration about the restrictions of living inside the protected area focussed on the prohibition against killing problem animals. Despite the evident cultural salience of bears, most people in Apolobamba would be glad if there were no more in the future. However, tolerance was higher in certain valleys, amongst older people and those who did not keep livestock.
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Post by brobear on Jan 23, 2023 14:49:16 GMT -5
Andean bear nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/andean-bear Physical Description Whitish or cream spectacles encircle these bears' eyes. The light color variably extends down to the animals' throats and chests, giving each individual a unique set of markings. Andean bears' thick coats are usually either black or brown, occasionally tinged with red. Each individual spectacled bear has its own distinctive set, or "fingerprint," of distinct cream or whitish markings on its head, throat and chest. Size Spectacled bears grow 5 to 6 feet (1.5 to 1.8 meters) long and stand 2 to 3 feet (0.6 to 0.9 meters) high at the shoulder. Males grow up to 30 percent larger than females, and weigh up to 340 pounds (154 kilograms). Females rarely grow heavier than 180 pounds (81 kilograms). Native Habitat Andean bears are South America's only bears and live in the Andes and outlying mountain ranges, from western Venezuela south to Bolivia. A few have been reported from eastern Panama and extreme northern Argentina. Andean bears live in a variety of mountain habitats. Many live between 6,000 and 8,800 feet (1,829 to 2,682 meters) above sea level, although others inhabit lower elevations. Habitat varies from rainforest, cloud forest and mossy, stunted elfin forest to thorny dry forest. They will also forage in grasslands next to forests. Food/Eating Habits Fruits and bromeliads are favored foods, but spectacled bears also eat berries, grasses, bulbs, cactus flowers and small animals such as rodents, rabbits and birds. Near settlements, bears sometimes raid cornfields. Spectacled bears climb trees and forage on the ground. They will build stick platforms to reach elevated food and tear open masses of bromeliads with their sharp claws. The Smithsonian's National Zoo's Andean bears eat a dry-food mixture (dog chow), plus vegetables, including sweet potatoes and carrots, and fruits such as apples, oranges and grapes. Social Structure Outside of breeding season, spectacled bears travel alone. Reproduction and Development Female Andean bears mature between four and seven years of age. During breeding season, from April to June, males and females stay together for a week or two, mating often. Females experience delayed implantation. This allows the female to give birth during a time when food is abundant—usually between November and February. If there are insufficient resources, the embryo will not implant. Cubs develop for two to three months after implanting. The female gives birth to one or two cubs. Newborn cubs weigh 10 to 18 ounces at birth, and they are practically bald, toothless and blind. Their eyes generally open at 4 to 6 weeks of age, and they take their first steps soon after. Generally, the cubs do not leave the safety of the den until they are about 3 months old. Sleep Habits Spectacled bears are active primarily at night. During the day, spectacled bears sleep in secluded spots, such as in tree cavities, on tree platforms, between large, exposed tree roots, or in dens dug into cliff faces. Lifespan While their average age in human care is around 20 years, it is not uncommon for them to live into their late twenties or occasionally into their early thirties. The Andean bear's longevity in the wild is unknown.
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