Modeling the distribution of Apennine brown bears during hyperphagia to reduce the impact of wild boar hunting

摘要: The Apennine brown bear (Ursus arctos marsicanus) survives today in a relict population of about 50 bears the central Apennines, even though they have been long protected and habitat suitability at landscape scale does not appear to be limiting factor for recovery. Multiple uses within range may increase disturbance chances human-caused mortality, including wild boar hunting drives with dogs conducted fall coinciding hyperphagia bears. Although represent very popular recreational activity throughout this is invasive practice thought exert both direct indirect detrimental effects on In order foster progressive abandonment favor less impacting methods, we developed species distribution model (SDM) identify areas likely presence during hyperphagia. This SDM could basis develop zoning system useful modulate regimes according occurrence. Starting from large dataset occurrences collected September November (2005–2010) core (n = 5746 GPS- VHF-telemetry locations 25 adult subadult bears, plus other signs presence), modeled selected candidate models using second corrected Akaike information criteria (AICc). final included 16 environmental, topographic, anthropogenic variables was evaluated continuous Boyce index (0.91). By intersecting occurrence proxy intensity, identified where banning represents priority, are urgently needed. discussing how such can used facilitate consensus toward alternative management scenarios, believe our approach extended small populations as well, that live multiple-use landscapes need