Project Bear
To help sustain the long-term future of the bear population in the High Tatras.
The project is a collaboration between TANAP (High Tatras National Park Authorities) and Stunning Slovakia. The aim is for a long-term partnership to achieve the below objectives. All information will be jointly collected, shared and reported. We aim that this information will help with environmental decision-making and to help improve community understanding of and attitudes to the wildlife of the High Tatras.
1. Primary Objectives
a) Undertake studies of bear behavior through close observation of bears. Of particular interest are the sizes and stability of territories and also the migration of juvenile and adult bears, both seasonally and over longer periods of time.
b) To reduce human/bear conflict.
c) Carry out a census of the existing bear population looking at overall volumes of bears and the demographic of the population.
d) To determine the optimum bear population. Attempt to balance the ecological carrying capacity of the land (that number of bears that the habitat can support) and the social carrying capacity (that number of bears that is acceptable to local communities).
2. Methods
a) In addition to visual observations and the data received from the camera traps the major source of information will be through GPS/GSM collars. Bears will be trapped, sedated and collared and the data provided will provide an insight into the distances travelled and the ranges of individual bears. It is essential to formulate a defined strategy with regard to the location of the collaring and also the target type of bear (mature vs juvenile/male vs female). By monitoring the type of bear approaching the cages (through observation and camera traps) we can decide which bear to target. It would be ideal to collar a spread of bear type so that the different behaviours can be monitored. Therefore the project aims to collar a number of adult bears (both male and female) with a settled and defined range enabling observation of their interaction with their fixed environment and also a number of less settled (probably juvenile) bears to study the process of how they establish their territories, their propensity to approach human settlement and ultimately their range sizes. Over time the project aims to also use collars to track problem bears habituated to human settlements as part of a programme to reduce human/bear conflict.
b) Human/Bear conflict is a major factor in the long term future of the bears in the High Tatras. There appears to be an underlying fear of bears in the communities which is largely unfounded. Project Bear aims to collate incidences of human/bear conflict and look at the reasons behind them.
Measures to reduce the incidences of conflict would include:
- reducing the attraction of non natural food sources by providing bear-proof bins and waste management systems.
- reducing or eradicating any deliberate feeding of bears.
- the education of local populations, especially children, on how to act if you encounter a bear and of the value of the bear to a healthy ecosystem.
- adjusting the environment in areas of high conflict so that both humans and bears are not caught by surprise encounters (through removal of dense vegetation etc)
- relocation of problem bears (although this would be the least desirable outcome)
c) The animal census will be carried out using physical observations and camera traps. Physical observation will be carried out by spending large amounts of time in potential bear habitat. Currently there are 8 camera traps which will be placed in strategic locations across the High Tatras NP. We hope to expand this programme to 50 or more camera traps with the aim of monitoring population dynamics, and seasonal movements for not just bears, but all the larger mammals of the High Tatras. This will provide a strong indicator of the health of the whole ecosystem.
Of particular interest will be evidence of female bears emerging from their dens with cubs - this data will enable us to link birthing success with factors such as general diet, abundance of food in the particular year. In addition the traps will give us an insight into the survival rate of bear cubs. Hopefully the camera data provided will enable the identification of individual bears as behavioural patterns become more apparent. Signs of bear activity will also be monitored such as tree scratching, footprints and spoor whilst the team is undertaking physical observations. In the future it is hoped that the project can liaise with Zilina University to carry out DNA analysis on evidence left at scratching posts to provide a baseline for the census count.
d) The distinct vegetation and geology of the various different areas of the High Tatras will necessarily be a controlling factor on bear populations. It is believed that the more fertile limestone areas support higher densities of bears than the granitic peaks. The project aims to support or disprove this theory through the census, behavioural studies and the evidence of actual cases of human/bear conflict. In the longer term we aim to be able to calculate scientifically the ecological carrying capacities of the land and therefore we would hope to devise a model that will be easily transferable to other habitats in parks across the European Brown Bear's range.
Funding
Stunning Slovakia's experience of conservation projects worldwide is that, although the intentions are good, there is often little or no thought given to the long-term sustainability of them. This leads to incomplete data sets or conclusions that are not statistically supported. In most cases the projects fail due to lack of funding. Project Bear is aiming to avoid this by providing the majority of funding for the Project through low impact and responsible tourism. The market for wildlife holidays in the UK is substantial and Stunning Slovakia feels that it has the experience to take advantage of this. This will provide the stability necessary for a long term and successful project.
