Not eating alone: Andean bear time patterns and potential social scavenging behaviors

Authors

  • Angela Parra-Romero Parque Nacional Natural Chingaza, Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia, Calle 74 no 11 – 81, Bogotá, Colombia
  • Robinson Galindo-Tarazona Parque Nacional Natural Chingaza, Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia, Calle 74 no 11 – 81, Bogotá, Colombia
  • José F. González-Maya Proyecto de Conservación de Aguas y Tierras, ProCAT Colombia/Internacional-Fundación Sierra to Sea Costa Rica, Carrera 13 No. 96 - 82, Bogotá, Colombia. Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, México DF, México http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8942-5157
  • I. Mauricio Vela-Vargas 2 Proyecto de Conservación de Aguas y Tierras, ProCAT Colombia/Internacional-Fundación Sierra to Sea Costa Rica, Carrera 13 No. 96 - 82, Bogotá, Colombia Wildlife and Fisheries Science, School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona, Environment & Natural Resources 2, 1064 E Lowell Street, 85721, Tucson Arizona

Keywords:

ndean Range, chingaza Massif, cundinamarca, scavenging, social behavior, spectacled bears, Tremarctos ornatus.

Abstract

Human-Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus) conflicts are increasing due to the establishment of livestock or crops near to its natural habitats. Here we report scavenging time patterns of Andean bears and the potential social scavenging behaviors in Choachí and Guasca municipalities, Cundinamarca department, buffer zone of Chingaza National Natural Park, Colombia. Between 2013 -2015, we obtained 31 Andean bear scavenging events, allegedly related with human-bear conflict reports; most records occurred in Choachí municipality (n = 29). Daily scavenging behaviors showed a heterogeneous pattern, where bears prefer to scavenge in morning hours (6:00 h-10:00 h) with small activity in the afternoon (15:00 h-17:00 h). Furthermore, we report on the first potential record of social activity of three adults scavenging on the same carcass at the same time with no aggressive/antagonistic behaviors between the individuals. Most aspects of Andean bear wild behaviors are still unknown; our observations represent interesting additions to the natural history of the species that could also be included in future programs for the mitigation and reduction of conflicts with human communities in the Andean region of Colombia.

Author Biographies

José F. González-Maya, Proyecto de Conservación de Aguas y Tierras, ProCAT Colombia/Internacional-Fundación Sierra to Sea Costa Rica, Carrera 13 No. 96 - 82, Bogotá, Colombia. Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, México DF, México

Colombian-Costarican biologist, with MSC in Tropical Forests and Biodviersity Management and Conservation and PHD from UNAM. Co-chair IUCN/SSC Small Carnivore Specialist Group, VP Colombian Mammalogical Society

I. Mauricio Vela-Vargas, 2 Proyecto de Conservación de Aguas y Tierras, ProCAT Colombia/Internacional-Fundación Sierra to Sea Costa Rica, Carrera 13 No. 96 - 82, Bogotá, Colombia Wildlife and Fisheries Science, School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona, Environment & Natural Resources 2, 1064 E Lowell Street, 85721, Tucson Arizona

Colombian biologist, with MSC in Biological Sciences and PHD student from the University of Arizona in Wildlife Mangement and Conservation.

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Published

2018-11-15

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 1 (2019)

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Notes

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