Automatic Monitoring System for Brown Bear in Trentino, Italy

In this century, the brown bear (Ursus arctos) population in the Alps has declined; a few individuals survive in the Adamello-Brenta Natural Park in Trentino, Italy. This population is at high risk because it lives in one of the most highly populated and rapidly changing bear ranges in the world. Ma...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Bears, their biology and management their biology and management, 1997-01, Vol.9, p.139-143
Main Authors: Nicolini, Gianni, Avancini, Giampaolo, Zambelli, Floriano, Chemini, Claudio
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bears
Brown bears
Hibernation
Management Techniques
Video cameras
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Summary:In this century, the brown bear (Ursus arctos) population in the Alps has declined; a few individuals survive in the Adamello-Brenta Natural Park in Trentino, Italy. This population is at high risk because it lives in one of the most highly populated and rapidly changing bear ranges in the world. Management of the bear and its environment presupposes a wide knowledge of the structure and dynamics of its population. We tested a monitoring technique using automatic stations installed near 2 feeding sites, subjecting the bears to minimal disturbance. These stations use infrared cameras, scales, and systems to record or transmit images and data. Results of our 4 years of experimentation include 21 hours of film, and show the method to be effective. Using these stations, we demonstrate the lack of bears in sites previously thought more frequented by bears.
ISSN:1936-0614
DOI:10.2307/3872674