Abstract 141 – Modify ethology in bear high densities area in Romania

Georgeta Ionescu, Ovidiu Ionescu, Marius Popa, Ramon Jurj, Mihai Fedorca, Ion
Mirea, Ancuta Fedorca

In Romania is one of highest bear densities in the world. The average is 11 individuals/100km2,
of favourable habitats. 54% of the favorable habitat has bear densities higher than the national
average. The bear population in Romania registers a favorable conservation status, densities
that place it on the first places in the world, well above the optimal density, an exceptional
genetic variability similar to that of northern Canada and Alaska, and a productivity well above
the European average. It occupies all favorable natural habitats, moreover it is now found in
many completely artificial habitats and increasingly uses human food sources (domestic
animals, grains, fruit from orchards or backyards and honey from apiaries, along with
household scraps. Before 2016 about 90% of harvest consist of males. In 2016 preventing
hunting was stopped and only bears which were creating important economic damages or
attack people were removed from the population (killed or relocated). After 2016 bear
densities increased in the natural habitat and it was more and more difficult for the females to
protect the cubs. In our research area females with cubs where quite rare in high densities male
zones. In order to protect the cubs’ females were using anthropized habitats like agriculture
fields, villages and urban areas. Garbage, cornfields, orchards or livestock became important in
their diet. Cubs grow knowing that it is more food available in this zone and easier to be
procure. Practically they grow being habituated to human food resources. More and more
individuals appear in human dominated landscapes and out of their national habitat. They were
much more bold towards human presences and number of conflicts increase dramatically