Black bear population reduction and recovery in western interior alaska

Abstract

We documented the temporal and demographic recovery of a black bear (Ursus americanus) population following a 2-year translocation program that substantially reduced both male and female bears. We estimated black bear population abundance prior to (2003), during (2004), and following (2007 and 2010) translocations in a 1,368-km2 study area in western Interior Alaska, USA. We estimated population size of independent black bears using removal models during 2003 and 2004 and mark-resight techniques during 2007 and 2010. The pre-translocation 2003 estimate of 83-109 (95% CI) independent bears was reduced by 96% to 0-13 (95% CI) independent bears by late spring 2004, when translocation efforts ceased. By 2007 the population of independent bears increased to 56-84 (95% CI), and by 2010 the population recovered to ≥ pre-translocation levels (96-162 [95% CI]). The proportion of male and female bears in the post-translocation population was similar during 2007 (50% F) and 2010 (59% F), indicating both sexes rapidly reoccupied the study area. We concluded that Interior Alaska black bear populations can recover in 4- 6 years from substantial numerical reductions and recovery in our study area was likely facilitated by its relative small size, high-quality habitat, and large surrounding environment consisting of a lightly harvested bear population. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.