Ultimate and proximate mechanisms underlying the occurrence of bears close to human settlements: review and management implications

摘要: Large carnivores (LCs), such as bears (Ursidae), are commonly believed to occur near human settlements because they have a learned tolerance of humans (human habituation) and associate with accessible high-quality foods (food conditioning). Young females cubs often overrepresented among ‘problem’ settlements. We review the mechanisms underlying occurrence brown black (Ursus arctos, Ursus americanus, thibetanus) settlements, consider four hypotheses designed separate ultimate proximate mechanisms. Increased people or can be explained by (i) habituation hypothesis; increased use human-derived (ii) food-conditioning hypothesis. However, both proximate, only apply if earlier experience and/or food. A lack explain younger settlements: (iii) naivety This is mechanism, movements naive typically triggered aggression competition conspecifics. We conclude that disproportionate in certain sex, age reproductive classes predation avoidance interference competition, i.e. (iv) despotic distribution Therefore, must an mechanism causing conditioning. Thus, using refuges should not considered ‘unnatural’, but rather exhibiting adaptive behaviour, conspecifics. Management LCs includes attractant management, counteract food conditioning, failure behaviour conspecifics may lead treating symptom, e.g. The cause attraction specific identified considering type bear involved; large solitary suggests attractive habitat shortage remote areas, whereas subadults suggest lower-quality habitat.