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Study: Fruit, not acorns, draws bears.
9 Feb
Summary
- Bears enter human areas despite adequate nutrition.
- Fruit trees on abandoned farms attract bears.
- Removing fallen fruit is essential to deter bears.
Bears are frequently entering areas near human dwellings, a phenomenon that recent research indicates is not primarily driven by food scarcity.
Even when acorns, their main autumn food source, were abundant, bears showed a tendency to approach human settlements. This behavior is likely linked to the presence of fruit trees on abandoned farmlands, acting as significant attractants.
The study, which examined 651 Asian black bears in Shimane Prefecture between 2003 and 2018, suggests that bears' nutritional status was not compromised during years with poor acorn yields. Their fat levels, measured by subcutaneous, visceral, and bone marrow fat, indicated that intrusions were not necessarily linked to a poor nutritional state.
Ecologists propose that removing "attractants" such as fallen persimmons and chestnuts, and implementing measures to block bears' entry routes into communities, are essential steps. The findings highlight the need for targeted strategies to manage bear-human interactions.
