Natal dispersal of grizzly bears

2001 ◽  
Vol 79 (5) ◽  
pp. 838-844 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce N McLellan ◽  
Frederick W Hovey

We studied natal dispersal of grizzly bears (Ursus arctos), a solitary nonterritorial carnivore with a promiscuous mating system, between 1979 and 1998. Dispersal distances for 2-year-olds did not differ between males and females, but by 3 years of age, males had dispersed farther than females, and farther still by 4 years of age. Dispersal of both sexes was a gradual process, occurring over 1–4 years. From the locations of death, or last annual ranges, it was estimated that 18 males dispersed 29.9 ± 3.5 km (mean ± SE) and 12 females dispersed 9.8 ± 1.6 km. Eleven of these males dispersed the equivalent of at least the diameter of 1 adult male home range, whereas only 3 of the females dispersed at least the diameter of 1 adult female home range. The longest dispersals recorded were 67 km for a male and 20 km for a female. Because the social system consists of numerous overlapping home ranges of both sexes, long dispersal distances may not be required to avoid inbreeding or competition with relatives. Simple models suggest that 61% of the ranges of brother and sister pairs would not overlap, but the home range of every daughter would overlap her father's range. The home range of an estimated 19 ± 4 (mean ± SD) adult males, however, would overlap at least a portion of each female's range, thereby reducing the chance of a female mating with her brother or father. Understanding the dispersal behaviour of grizzly bears is essential for developing conservation strategies. Our results suggest that meta-population reserve designs must provide corridors wide enough for male grizzly bears to live in with little risk of being killed.

2004 ◽  
Vol 118 (2) ◽  
pp. 239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Gau ◽  
Philip D. McLoughlin ◽  
Ray Case ◽  
H. Dean Cluff ◽  
Robert Mulders ◽  
...  

Between May 1995 and June 1999, we equipped eight subadult male (3-5 yrs old) Grizzly Bears (Ursus arctos) with satellite radio-collars within a study area of 235,000 km2, centred 400 km northeast of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. Subadult male annual home ranges were extraordinarily large (average = 11,407 km2, SE = 3849) due, in part, to their movement's occasional linear directionality. We believe their long-range linear movements may reflect some individuals tracking the migration of Caribou (Rangifer tarandus). Seasonal daily movement patterns were similar to adult males that were previously reported. The areas used by these bears are the largest ranges reported for any Grizzly Bears and the scale of their movements may put individual bears in contact with humans even when developments are hundreds of kilometres from the central home range of an animal.


2004 ◽  
Vol 82 (7) ◽  
pp. 1108-1118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael F Proctor ◽  
Bruce N McLellan ◽  
Curtis Strobeck ◽  
Robert M.R Barclay

Natal dispersal is difficult to quantify, and long-distance events are often undetected, leading to biased estimates. Following offspring from their natal home range to their postdispersal adult breeding home range is challenging, and gathering sufficient data for large mammals with long generation times is particularly difficult. Here we measure average sex-specific dispersal distances in grizzly bears (Ursus arctos L., 1758) using individual-based genetic analysis. We genetically sampled and generated 15-locus microsatellite genotypes for 711 grizzly bears over a range of 100 000 km2 in southwestern Canada. Microsatellite markers are inherited in a Mendelian fashion, allowing us to use likelihood-based parentage analyses to estimate parent–offspring dyads. We used the distance between individually captured females of parent–offspring pairs (i.e., mother–daughter) to estimate female natal dispersal distances and found that, on average, females dispersed 14.3 km from the center of their natal home range. We used the distance between males of parent–offspring pairs (i.e., father–son) to estimate average male dispersal distances and found that males dispersed, on average, 41.9 km from their natal, or maternal, home range (mother–son dispersal distance). We used a simulation model to estimate the bias associated with measuring the father–son (male–male) distance as an estimate of the mother–son distance.


2014 ◽  
Vol 128 (3) ◽  
pp. 223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Graham ◽  
Gordon B. Stenhouse

An understanding of the natural history of the Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos) is important for recovery planning. We present data on home range size, movements and denning chronology collected using Global Positioning System (GPS) collars on Grizzly Bears in west-central Alberta. Mean annual kernel estimates for adult (1034 ± 656 (SD) km2) and subadult (1298 ± 1207 km2) males were larger than those for females with cubs of the year (213 ± 212 km2) and lone adult females (337 ± 176 km2) but not different from sub-adult females, females with yearlings, or females with ≥ 2-yr old cubs (P > 0.05). Mean rates of movement among female age–reproductive classes were different from each other (Z9 < 2.70, P > 0.05) but not different from sub-adult males (Z9 < 2.70, P > 0.05). Rates of movement of adult males were significantly different only from those of females with cubs of the year (Z9 = 3.94, P = 0.001). The greatest amount of movement occurred in June and the least in October. Bears traveled fastest in the morning and evening and slowest at night. Pregnant females had the longest denning period (175 days, ± 16 days SD). No difference was detected in denning duration among the remaining five age–sex–reproductive classes (P > 0.05). GPS collars provided large location datasets from which accurate home range estimates, hourly movement rates, and precise denning dates were determined. Examining similarities and differences in the basic biology of Grizzly Bears from various locations will improve our understanding of the plasticity of this species and the potential impacts of habitat and climate change.


2003 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 281 ◽  
Author(s):  
David S. Dique ◽  
Jim Thompson ◽  
Harriet J. Preece ◽  
Deidré L. de Villiers ◽  
Frank N. Carrick

Koala dispersal was investigated as part of a detailed ecological study of a nationally significant koala population located 20 km south-east of Brisbane, Queensland. From 1996 to 2000, 195 koalas from three sites were captured and fitted with radio-collars. A total of 40 koalas (23 males and 17 females) dispersed from these sites. Most (93%) dispersing individuals were 20–36 months of age. Three adult females (more than 36 months old) dispersed and no adult males dispersed during the study. A significantly higher proportion of young males dispersed than females. Dispersal occurred between June and December, with most dispersal of males commencing in July and August and that of females commencing between September and November prior to, and early in, the annual breeding season. The mean straight-line distance between the natal and breeding home ranges for males and females was similar and was measured at 3.5 km (range 1.1–9.7 km) and 3.4 km (range 0.3–10.6 km) respectively. Dispersing males and females tended to successfully disperse south and west of their natal home ranges and were generally unable to successfully disperse to urban areas within the study area, as a high proportion of the mortality of dispersing koalas was associated with attacks by domestic dogs and with collisions with vehicles on roads. Information from other studies indicates that most young koalas disperse from their natal areas. It is likely that the social behaviour and mating systems of koala populations provide mechanisms for young koalas to disperse. The potential role of dispersal in the dynamics of regional koala populations is discussed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 130 (4) ◽  
pp. 320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rick Rosatte

During 2000 and 2001, Elk (Cervus canadensis) were restored to the Bancroft, Ontario area. The objective of this study was to determine the home range and movements of six social units of Elk, 5–12 years after restoration, in an area of about 2500 km2 near Bancroft. Home range and movements were calculated from 40 221 Global Positioning System locations acquired from 56 collared Elk (16 bulls and 40 cows) between 2006 and 2013. Annual home ranges were found to be significantly greater (mean 110.3 km2, standard error [SE] 11.2) for Elk in areas where winter feeding by humans did not occur compared with those (mean 51.0 km2, SE 9.0) where winter feeding was prevalent. Elk in winter feeding areas had smaller ranges in winter than other seasons. On a seasonal basis, home range size was larger for Elk in areas where winter feeding did not occur; mean winter home range for Elk in non-feeding areas was 73.4 km2 (SE34.0) compared with 8.3 km2 (SE 2.6) for Elk in areas where winter feeding occurred. The 20 Elk that were monitored for multiple years exhibited home range fidelity among years. The entire range of all radio-collared Elk within the social groups studied covered 1716.4 km2 during 2006–2013. Average daily movements of Elk in the study arearanged from 1.0 to 2.1 km/day with greatest movements occurring during spring and summer. However, some Elk were capable of moving an average of 5–7km in a 12-h interval. Movements (about 5 km) to winter range occurred during October to December each year. Cows moved to calving areas in May with mean movements of Elk to spring/summer range about 6 km. Cow/calf groups moved to fall ranges by early September with mean movements of about 4 km. During the rut, mean bull movements of 16.0 km to cow groups over 1–5 days occurred in early September. Hunting of Elk during the fall of 2011 and 2012 did not appear to significantly affect the movements and dispersion of Elk in the study area.


1992 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 707 ◽  
Author(s):  
NPE Langham

The activity patterns of a resident population of 15 feral cats (Felis catus L.) on New Zealand farmland were investigated from March 1984 until February 1987 by radiotelemetry. Females could be divided into two separate groups: (1) those denning in barns and (2) those denning in the swamp and willows. Females denning in barns were mainly nocturnal except in spring and summer when rearing kittens. Barn cats moved significantly further between dusk and dawn, except in autumn-winter, than those denning in swamp and willows which were active over 24 h. When not breeding, related females occupied the same barn. In both groups, the home range of female relatives overlapped. Males ranged over all habitats, and dominant adult males moved significantly further and had larger home ranges than other males in all seasons, except in summer when they rested, avoiding hot summer days. Only adult males were active during the day in spring and autumn-winter. The importance of a Zeitgeber in synchronising cat activity with that of the prey is examined. The significance of female den site is discussed in relation to proximity of food, predators, social behaviour and male defence.


2003 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
pp. 294-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip D McLoughlin ◽  
Mitchell K Taylor ◽  
H Dean Cluff ◽  
Robert J Gau ◽  
Robert Mulders ◽  
...  

Between May 1995 and June 1999, we equipped 81 barren-ground grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) with satellite radio collars within a study area of 235 000 km2, centred 400 km northeast of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. We used data from radiotelemetry to estimate survival rates, reproductive parameters, and the finite rate of increase of the population (λ). The annual survival rate of adult females was estimated at 0.979 (95% confidence intervals (CI) = 0.955–0.998), while the survival rate of adult males was 0.986 (95% CI = 0.942–1.0). The cub survival rate was 0.737 (95% CI = 0.600–0.844) and the yearling survival rate was 0.683 (95% CI = 0.514–0.821). Cub litter size averaged 2.23 (SE = 0.13, n = 35), while yearling litter size decreased to a mean of 1.86 (SE = 0.12, n = 35). The mean litter size of females with 2-year-olds was 1.85 (SE = 0.15, n = 20). The mean birth interval was 2.8 years (SE = 0.3 years, n = 17). The mean reproductive interval, which is calculated by excluding the loss of whole litters from the sample, was 3.9 years (SE = 0.4 years, n = 9). Mean litter size divided by mean birth interval yielded an annual natality rate of 0.81 cubs per adult female per year. The mean age at first parturition was 8.1 years (SE = 0.5 years, n = 10). We believe the population to be currently stable or slightly increasing (λ = 1.033, 95% CI = 1.008–1.064).


2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (12) ◽  
pp. 2087-2095 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J Chamberlain ◽  
Charles D Lovell ◽  
Bruce D Leopold

Recently, coyotes (Canis latrans) have expanded their range to include most areas of the southeastern United States. However, most research on coyotes has been conducted in western and northern regions of North America. We radio-monitored 38 adult coyotes from 1993 to 1997 in central Mississippi. Home-range sizes (P = 0.681) and core-area (area of concentrated use) sizes (P = 0.736) were similar across seasons, but females maintained larger home ranges (P = 0.006) and core areas (P < 0.001) than males. Male-male, female-female, and male-female home-range overlap was greatest during whelping and pup rearing. Except for mated pairs, core-area overlap was negligible across all seasons for adults maintaining neighboring home ranges. Coyote habitat selection varied across spatial scales, though selection was similar between males and females at all scales. Coyote movement rates differed (P < 0.001) temporally, being highest during nocturnal periods. Overall, the highest movement rates for the monitored population were observed for females during summer. Two males and 2 females were suspected of forming pair bonds and frequently traveled together within shared home ranges, as did 2 adult males. Our data indicate that interactions among individual adults are influenced by sex, as most confirmed instances of direct contact occurred between pairs or suspected social groups. In our study area, neighboring adult coyotes exhibited territoriality at the core-area level.


Diversity ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 41
Author(s):  
Astrid Olejarz ◽  
Jouni Aspi ◽  
Ilpo Kojola ◽  
Vesa Nivala ◽  
Alina K. Niskanen ◽  
...  

Sociality in animal populations is a continuum, and interactions between conspecifics are meaningful for all vertebrates. Ignorance of social structures can lead to misunderstanding their ecology and, consequently, to unsuccessful species management. Here, we combined genetic and spatial data on radio-collared brown bears (Ursus arctos) to investigate kin-related home range overlap and kin-related centroid distance within central and eastern Finland. We found that the extent of home range overlap was positively correlated with relatedness among adult females. In addition, home range centroid distance decreased as relatedness increased. Moreover, there were significant differences between the two studied regions: female brown bears in central Finland were more closely related to each other, and the sizes of their home ranges were larger than those in eastern Finland. The smaller home ranges and lower degree of relatedness among bears in eastern Finland might be a result of the substantially higher hunting pressure in the area, combined with immigration of new unrelated individuals from Russia.


1995 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 299 ◽  
Author(s):  
V Mirmovitch

Feral cats were studied for 10 months in a residential area in Jerusalem and their spatial distribution compared during two 1-month periods, the first in the autumn prior to the mating season and the second during the mating season (winter). Cat locations were recorded by direct observations, and home-range sizes were calculated with the minimum convex polygon method. No significant change in home-range size of adult males or females was found between the 2 periods. Young males expanded their home ranges considerably during their first mating season. Home ranges of males were significantly larger than those of females in both periods (0.56 and 0.30 ha, respectively, in autumn; 0.75 and 0.27 ha in winter). The home ranges of both sexes overlapped considerably with individuals of the same sex. Overlap among home ranges of females indicated a group pattern. High overlap (80%) was found among females that fed from the same set of garbage bins with similar frequency. Lower overlap (20%) was found between individual females that shared only a subset of their food resources and used it with different frequency. It is suggested that the distribution of food patches (garbage bins), the amount of food available and the rate of food renewal determined the cats' spatial organisation.


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