Predatory behavior of grizzly bears feeding on elk calves in Yellowstone National Park
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Abstract
Grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) were observed preying on elk calves (Cervus elaphus) on 60 occasions in Yellowstone National Park, with 29 confirmed kills. Some bears were deliberate predators and effectively preyed on elk calves for short periods each spring, killing up to 1 calf daily. Primary hunting techniques were searching and chasing although some bears used a variety of techniques during a single hunt. They hunted both day and night and preyed on calves in the open and in the woods. Excess killing occurred when circumstances permitted. One bear caught 5 calves in a 15-minute interval. Elk used a variety of antipredator defenses and occasionally attacked predacious bears. The current level of this feeding behavior appears to be greater than previously reported. This is probably related to the increased availability of calves providing a greater opportunity for learning, and the adaptation of a more predatory behavior by some grizzly bears in Yellowstone.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Predatory behavior of grizzly bears feeding on elk calves in Yellowstone National Park |
| Series title | Bears: Their Biology and Management |
| DOI | 10.2307/3872937 |
| Volume | 8 |
| Year Published | 1990 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | International Association of Bear Research and Management |
| Publisher location | Morges, Switzerland |
| Contributing office(s) | Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center |
| Description | 7 p. |
| First page | 335 |
| Last page | 341 |
| Conference Title | Eighth International Conference on Bear Research and Management |
| Conference Location | February 1989 |
| Conference Date | Victoria, British Columbia, Canada |
| 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 |