Conservation of brown bear in the Alps: space use and settlement behavior of reintroduced bears

摘要: Largecarnivorestypicallyneedlargehomerangescontaininghabitatspatchesofdifferentquality.Consequently,theirconservationrequires habitat protection and management at the landscape scale. In some cases, reintroduction might be used to support remnant or restore extinct populations. This is case for brown bear (Ursus arctos) in Italian Alps. We monitored spacing behavior settlement of reintroduced bears Adamello-Brenta Natural Park, North-Italy, using radio-tracking. Habitat use, dispersion survival were studied evaluate success possible conflicts with man.All three males five seven females settled study area. Most roamed widely first months after release, exploring new habitat. Patterns home range overlap between seasons years revealed that use stabilized year hibernation. Home ranges larger mating season (May‐July) than spring autumn. varied 34 1813 km 2 but core-areas, where feeding activity was concentrated, much smaller. Some had exclusive core-areas summer autumn, most showed considerable core-area animals same and/or opposite sex. Bears selected deciduous forests, mixed conifer forests according availability, areas anthropogenic disturbance avoided. reproduced successfully release site, causing high initial population growth, suggesting can help re-establish a © 2005 Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.