We studied the behavioural ecology of Ursus arctos (hereinafter-brown bear or bear) in the basin of Lake Kurilskoe (Kamchatka Peninsula) in the summer and autumn of 2017-2018. The aim of this study was a comparative assessment of the behaviour of brown bears with respect to the heterogeneity of trophic conditions. In 2018, considering an extremely high commercial catch of Oncorhynchus nerka (hereinafter-sockeye salmon or salmon) and high flood in the first half of the summer, the decline in the abundance and availability of salmon led to significant changes in the behaviour and distribution of bears. The success of fishing behaviour of bears in 2018 was found to be lower than in 2017. During the periods of salmon abundance in 2017, solitary bears formed temporary friendly associations that we did not observe in 2018. Due to the increased incidence of intraspecific predation in 2018, bears began to show aggression towards humans. Deterioration of the physical condition of some females and behavioural changes in food-procuring strategies were accompanied by the appearance of abandoned cubs. The peak of negative changes in the bear populations was noted in the first half of September when the energy requirements of bears increased. A modern approach to the development of the resources of sockeye salmon in the Basin of Lake Kurilskoe and River Ozernaya requires a serious revision of the fishing load in accordance with the characteristics of the population structure of sockeye salmon and its exclusive role in the local ecosystem. It is necessary to reconsider the «optimal» number of sockeye salmon allowed into the Lake Kurilskoe and its tributaries. The current practice of cancelling the passing days during which salmon can migrate unobstructed into and up the River Ozernaya towards Lake Kurilskoe is unacceptable.
In 2011–2013, we surveyed the population structure, spatial distribution and the number of tigers in Southwestern Primorye (about 5000 km2). The total number of tigers, according to winter route census, DNA analysis and camera trapping was estimated at 24–25 adults and 6–7 cubs, belonging to four different litters. The location of tigers is mainly confined to areas difficult to access for people, and with a high density of ungulates. Tigers concentrated in the habitat strip bordering China, mainly comprising the 'Land of the Leopard' National Park. A few tiger tracks were recorded outside of protected areas and on hunting tenures.
Current methods for estimating tiger numbers needs critical reflection. Winter census by tracks in the snow is often largely influenced by subjectivity. The main reason for this is the large number of surveyors of various degrees of qualification and as a result the conflicting interpretation of track identification. In our opinion, the most objective results are obtained from a consistent survey of the territory by a limited number of specialists and daily adjustments of collected materials.
Precise and informative methods for determining the number and the structure of tiger populations are DNA analysis of biological samples combined with camera trap census. However, a number of significant drawbacks limits their widespread use: this method is labor-intensive and results in high project costs. In addition, weather conditions can greatly affect the preservation of DNA in the samples. There is a need to organize additional survey routes for installing camera traps and detecting of biological samples in order to register the tigresses with young, as they are behavior is often distinguished by a more secretive lifestyle. As a rule, female tigers with young avoid the main movement routes of adult tigers. These methods are expedient only in the smaller survey plots of model areas.
Опубликовано Российским государственным педагогическим университетом им. А. И. Герцена. Открытый доступ на условиях лицензии CC BY-NC 4.0. Аннотация. На территории национального парка «Бикин» (Приморский край, Россия) в 2018-2019 гг. были достоверно зарегистрированы три новых вида млекопитающих: пятнистый олень Cervus nippon, дальневосточный лесной (бенгальский) кот Prionailurus bengalensis euptilura и полевая мышь Apodemus agrarius. Впервые получены документальные подтверждения обитания этих видов в бассейне среднего и верхнего течения р. Бикин (Приморский край) с использованием фоторегистраторов и сбором экземпляров для научной коллекции. Пятнистый олень включен в Красную книгу Российской Федерации (Данилов-Данильян 2001) и Красную книгу Приморского края (Костенко 2005), дальневосточный лесной кот-в Красную книгу Приморского края (Костенко 2005). Ключевые слова: пятнистый олень, дальневосточный лесной кот, полевая мышь, новые находки, национальный парк «Бикин».
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