Pictured: Cubs cannot yet regulate their temperature and have delicate immune systems. So, researchers wear protective gear and keep them warm while staff members fit a GPS collar on the mother bear. Photo credit: Wisconsin DNR
The Wisconsin DNR encourages the public to report any black bear den locations across Wisconsin. This will help an ongoing study on black bear reproduction.
The Black Bear Litter and Diet Survey will generate new estimates of black bear reproductive rates within each bear management zone. These estimates will improve the accuracy of the population models used in each zone. Additionally, researchers are investigating a connection between the consumption of human food and bear reproduction. Diet can affect cub survival rates and litter sizes.
The research team will take den reports statewide. They are looking for more dens to survey in central and western Wisconsin.
“It is important for the study that we get collars out in each of the bear management zones,” says Dr. Jennifer Price Tack, DNR large carnivore and elk research scientist. “This will allow us to better inform bear population estimates for each zone, which in turn support management decision making.”
Public reporting is essential to this project. Bear dens aren’t frequently found, so it is important that people report them to the DNR when they do. Reporting dens helps the DNR meet the sample size requirements for our study and increases the accuracy of the black bear population estimate.
Helpful information to report to the bear research team includes:
- GPS coordinates
- Photo of the den, ideally showing it in relation to its surroundings, from a safe distance (approximately 30 yards)
- Description of the site and surrounding area
- Any information on the bear(s) and bear activity near the site
