Movements of Yellowstone grizzly bears

Biological Conservation
By:  and 

Links

Abstract

Ninety-seven grizzly bears Ursus arctos horribilis were radio-located 6299 times during 1975–1987. Annual range sizes differed by sex, age, reproductive status and amount of precipitation. Females exhibited greater fidelity to seasonal and annual ranges than males. Weaned female offspring generally remained in the vicinity of the maternal range, while weaned males often made substantial movements to unexplored country. Average total home range size was 884 km2 for females and 3757 km2 for males. Males consistently exhibited greater indices of movement and range sizes than females. All cohorts had larger mean ranges during this study than during the period 1959–1969 when the population had access to open garbage dumps. Movements and elevational distribution of all cohorts were related to availability of whitebark pine Pinus albicaulis seeds. We hypothesized that females with cubs-of-the-year and yearlings were displaced from most productive habitats during seasons and years of limited food availability.

Study Area

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Movements of Yellowstone grizzly bears
Series title Biological Conservation
DOI 10.1016/0006-3207(91)90044-A
Volume 58
Issue 1
Year Published 1991
Language English
Publisher Society for Conservation Biology
Publisher location Barking, Essex England
Contributing office(s) Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center
Description 27 p.
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Biological Conservation
First page 41
Last page 67
Country United States
State Idaho;Montana;Wyoming
Other Geospatial Yellowstone National Park
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details