Abstract 997 – Steps Toward Conserving Asiatic Black Bears at the Westernmost Extent of their Range: Preparing an Action Plan for Conflict Management in Kerman Province, Iran

Nahid Ahmadi, Ali T. Qashqaei, Pouria Ghelich Khani, Hamid Reza Heidari

Human–bear conflicts are a serious obstacle for the conservation of Asiatic black bears. Iran is
the westernmost range of this species, and conflicts are a major threat to both bears and
people. Asiatic black bears exist in 3 southern provinces of Iran, of which Kerman Province has
better habitats (food, water and cover) than Baluchistan or Hormozgan. With mounting human
pressures on habitat, we aimed to create a conservation action plan that will help to reduce
conflicts in Kerman Province. We collected data on conflicts between bears and people across
Kerman Province using 2 data sources: (1) a questionnaire survey of local gardeners,
beekeepers, shepherds and livestock owners (2019-2020); and (2) official reports registered
with various governmental organizations (1961–2019), along with interviews of government
managers and rangers. We could not verify or quantify the conflicts, but often local people
showed proof that they were attributable to bears. We mapped the occurrence of bear attacks
on humans, damage to orchards, damage to beehives, depredation of livestock, and killing of
bears. We also reviewed international articles and reports for lessons learned about bear
conflict mitigation elsewhere, and considered these with respect to the main stakeholder
conflicts in Kerman. We created a plan for short-term, mid-term, and long-term activities in 3
arenas: participatory conflict management; education; and research. The plan includes detailed
flow charts, showing priority activities tailored to specific types of conflicts, spatially matched to
where they are most prevalent. The plan has been reviewed and accepted by the Department
of Environment of Kerman Province. 
This work so far has focused on the “assess”, “plan” and “networking” components of the
Species Conservation Cycle, as we prepare to launch into the “act” phase. The report has been
approved by the Kerman Department of Environment. Of particular interest, the data collected
so far revealed conflicts in some areas with no previous historical records of bear presence. We
will investigate these areas to verify the authenticity of these new accounts and to understand
what is occurring.