Food availability and foraging near human developments by black bears

摘要: Understanding the relationship between foraging ecology and presence of human-dominated landscapes is important, particularly for American black bears (Ursus americanus), which sometimes move wildlands urban areas to forage. The food-related factors influencing this movement have not been explored, but can be important understanding benefits costs bear behavior fundamental origins conflicts. We tested whether scarcity wildland foods or availability explain when forage near houses, examined extent male use in comparison females, identified most food items into areas. monitored 16 collared around Missoula, Montana, during 2009 2010, while quantifying rate change green vegetation 5 native berry-producing species outside area, vegetation, apples garbage inside area. used parametric time-to-event models an event was a location collected within 100 m house. also visited feeding sites located houses quantified had eaten. probability being house 1.6 times higher males, increased apple season green-up. Fruit trees accounted at (49%), whereas composed <10%. Black foraged on human even were available, suggesting that absence may influence houses. Additionally, other attractants, case fruit trees, appear more than