DFG News Archive

World's Bear Experts Converge in San Diego for Fiftheenth International Conference on Bear Reasearch & Management

Whether their focus is polar bears, sloth bears or spectacled bears, wildlife biologists from around the world will meet in San Diego next week to share the latest research and management information about bears.

The Fifteenth International Conference on Bear Research and Management is sponsored by the International Bear Association (IBA) and hosted by the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG). It will be held Feb. 8-13 at the Bahia Hotel in San Diego.

The conference will feature more than 150 oral and poster presentations on all eight species of bears worldwide. Topics include: conservation biology, bear/human interactions, field/lab/statistical techniques, habitat assessment/relationships, bear management, behavior, populations, and genetics/physiology. Following is a sampling of the scheduled presentations:

• The Grizzlies of California. The last probable sightings of the California grizzly took place in the 1920s. Some California grizzlies are claimed to have matched or exceeded weights of the species anywhere else. Presenter David Graber will discuss the "plentiful" anecdotal records of this species, as well as proposals in recent years to reintroduce grizzly bears to California. (Feb. 9, 1:10 p.m.)
• Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to Reduce Bear/Human Conflicts. Researchers in British Columbia used GIS technology to plot reported bear conflicts on a city map. They observed that more than half occurred in one subdivision along a natural movement corridor. They will discuss how the "bear complaint" map is now being used to effect municipal regulatory changes in attitudes and behavior towards bears and community planning. (Feb. 9, 2 p.m.)
• Bear Attacks and Human Casualties in India. The sloth bear is regarded as one of the most fearsome wild animals in central India, where populations are highest. Researchers have analyzed 137 incidences of human mauling and killing between 1998 and 2000 with the goal of mitigating human-bear conflicts and further increasing knowledge about the species. (Feb. 9, 4 p.m.)
• Crittercam: First Use of Animal-borne Imaging for Direct Observation of Brown Bear Behavior and Ecology. Researchers deployed a "crittercam" on a wild coastal brown bear in Southeast Alaska as part of a pilot project to gather data on bears where direct observation is impossible. They were able to observe feeding, fishing, socializing, vocal behavior, and family group movement. This tool offers opportunities to gain unique insights into otherwise unobservable natural phenomena. (Feb. 10, 8:40 a.m.)
• Training For Trust. If keepers of captive bears do not build a trusting relationship with the bear, human-bear interactions will be a source of chronic stress, which can negatively impact the bear's health, reproduction and well-being. Training is an important part of trust-building. (Presented by Susan Euing of the Zoological Society of San Diego; Feb. 10, 11 a.m.)
• Evaluation of Deterrent Techniques on Altering Behavior of "Nuisance" Black Bears. Researchers evaluated the efficacy of bear deterrent techniques in the Lake Tahoe Basin of the Sierra-Nevada range using 62 bears randomly assigned to an experimental group or control group. Results will be discussed, with management recommendations concerning the most common non-lethal deterrents currently used by agencies responsible for the management of black bears. (Feb. 10, 11:20 a.m.)
• Activity Patterns of an Urban Black Bear Population in the San Gabriel Mountains of Southern California. Populations of black bears in the San Gabriel Mountains of Los Angeles County, and the human population at the base of the mountains, have increased to the point that human/bear interactions are common. A year-long study of the urban black bear population documented seasonal use of urban areas, as well as the efficacy of aversive conditioning and relocation efforts. Results support California's continuing focus on human education and removal of bear attractants. (Feb. 13, 2 p.m.)

In addition, there will be two evening presentations open to the public. The evening topics are "Living With Bears" and "Giant Pandas."

Members of the media representing accredited media outlets will have full access to all oral and poster presentations, as well as an opportunity to meet Monday morning with Ryan Broddrick, the DFG's newly appointed director. To secure an all-access press pass, go to www.dfg.ca.gov/hunting/bear/iba/presspass.pdf.

For conference information, including the schedule of presentations, go to www.dfg.ca.gov/hunting/bear/iba/information.htm.