Scat analysis as a preliminary assessment of moose (Alces alces andersoni) calf consumption by bears (Ursus spp.) in north–central British Columbia

Moose (Alces alces andersoni) population numbers have decreased by 50–70 % in some parts of northern British Columbia (BC), Canada. Predation of moose calves by bears may be affecting moose populations in this area, but has gone undocumented. A total of 1,381 bear scats were collected during the spr...

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Main Authors: Rea, R. V., Ajala–Batista, L., Aitken, D. A., Child, K. N., Thompson, N., Hodder, D. P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona 2019-11-01
Series:Animal Biodiversity and Conservation
Subjects:
Online Access:http://abc.museucienciesjournals.cat/volume-42-2-2019-en/scat-analysis-as-a-preliminary-assessment-of-moose-alces-alces-andersoni-calf-consumption-by-bears-ursus-spp-in-north-central-british-columbia/?lang=en
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author Rea, R. V.
Ajala–Batista, L.
Aitken, D. A.
Child, K. N.
Thompson, N.
Hodder, D. P.
author_facet Rea, R. V.
Ajala–Batista, L.
Aitken, D. A.
Child, K. N.
Thompson, N.
Hodder, D. P.
author_sort Rea, R. V.
collection DOAJ
description Moose (Alces alces andersoni) population numbers have decreased by 50–70 % in some parts of northern British Columbia (BC), Canada. Predation of moose calves by bears may be affecting moose populations in this area, but has gone undocumented. A total of 1,381 bear scats were collected during the spring and summer of 2014 and 2015. Hairs extracted from the scats were identified to species through hair scale imprints made in thermoplastic film, with the specific purpose of identifying the frequency of occurrence of moose calf hairs in scats. Only 27 scats (~2 %) contained moose calf hair. We discuss possible explanations for our findings.
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spelling doaj.art-3682f0b587af4b3d8d8d9034a71e66ae2022-12-21T20:56:08ZengMuseu de Ciències Naturals de BarcelonaAnimal Biodiversity and Conservation1578-665X2019-11-01422369377Scat analysis as a preliminary assessment of moose (Alces alces andersoni) calf consumption by bears (Ursus spp.) in north–central British ColumbiaRea, R. V. Ajala–Batista, L. Aitken, D. A.Child, K. N. Thompson, N. Hodder, D. P. Moose (Alces alces andersoni) population numbers have decreased by 50–70 % in some parts of northern British Columbia (BC), Canada. Predation of moose calves by bears may be affecting moose populations in this area, but has gone undocumented. A total of 1,381 bear scats were collected during the spring and summer of 2014 and 2015. Hairs extracted from the scats were identified to species through hair scale imprints made in thermoplastic film, with the specific purpose of identifying the frequency of occurrence of moose calf hairs in scats. Only 27 scats (~2 %) contained moose calf hair. We discuss possible explanations for our findings.http://abc.museucienciesjournals.cat/volume-42-2-2019-en/scat-analysis-as-a-preliminary-assessment-of-moose-alces-alces-andersoni-calf-consumption-by-bears-ursus-spp-in-north-central-british-columbia/?lang=enalces alces andersonimoose neonatedietfeceshair analysispredation
spellingShingle Rea, R. V.
Ajala–Batista, L.
Aitken, D. A.
Child, K. N.
Thompson, N.
Hodder, D. P.
Scat analysis as a preliminary assessment of moose (Alces alces andersoni) calf consumption by bears (Ursus spp.) in north–central British Columbia
Animal Biodiversity and Conservation
alces alces andersoni
moose neonate
diet
feces
hair analysis
predation
title Scat analysis as a preliminary assessment of moose (Alces alces andersoni) calf consumption by bears (Ursus spp.) in north–central British Columbia
title_full Scat analysis as a preliminary assessment of moose (Alces alces andersoni) calf consumption by bears (Ursus spp.) in north–central British Columbia
title_fullStr Scat analysis as a preliminary assessment of moose (Alces alces andersoni) calf consumption by bears (Ursus spp.) in north–central British Columbia
title_full_unstemmed Scat analysis as a preliminary assessment of moose (Alces alces andersoni) calf consumption by bears (Ursus spp.) in north–central British Columbia
title_short Scat analysis as a preliminary assessment of moose (Alces alces andersoni) calf consumption by bears (Ursus spp.) in north–central British Columbia
title_sort scat analysis as a preliminary assessment of moose alces alces andersoni calf consumption by bears ursus spp in north central british columbia
topic alces alces andersoni
moose neonate
diet
feces
hair analysis
predation
url http://abc.museucienciesjournals.cat/volume-42-2-2019-en/scat-analysis-as-a-preliminary-assessment-of-moose-alces-alces-andersoni-calf-consumption-by-bears-ursus-spp-in-north-central-british-columbia/?lang=en
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