Patterns in the use of rub trees by the Eurasian Brown Bear

摘要: The behaviour of marking trees by the brown bear occurs throughout range presence species. It has recently been recognised as a mean intra-specific chemical communication, besides likely function ecto-parasite removal, and evidence from grizzlies showed that scent is mainly performed adult males during breeding season. However, detailed studies on this in Euroasian are lacking. We conducted three year study wild population 50 individuals Eastern Italian Alps, using camera traps. aimed to assess use bears’ age sex classes, its temporal variation, determine key habitat human disturbance drivers intensity rub trees. Camera trapping yielded more than 500 videos bears 9000 days, classes were identified 59% videos. Results rubbing was males, with females sub-adults only occasionally rubbed. Rubbing season, confirming main associated males' strategy. Olfactory investigation all ages sexes, indicating importance at for communication. used event rate raw index usage found it be affected aspect, type roads passage motor vehicles sites, while people did not affect it. also estimated occupancy detectability latter influenced trail distance buildings. Our provides first contribution Alps. Download complete issue.