A preliminary baseline status of the Syrian Brown Bear Ursus arctos syriacus (Mammalia: Carnivora: Ursidae) in Golestanak, Northern Iran

Abstract

Baseline information is lacking for the Syrian Brown Bear across the sub-species range, making it difficult to assess at any level. In the present investigation, our goal was to illustrate the population status of the Brown Bear in the Golestanak area, northern Iran, based on field surveys we conducted during the summers of 2011 and 2012. We counted a total of 30 and 21 bears in two consecutive years, with family groups consisting of more than half of the identified individuals. Sub-adults had the lowest contribution among the observed individuals, just below 10%, which may be due to their high dispersal behaviour to avoid adults. Our results provide a foundation for future systematic baseline investigations on the population status of the brown bear in northern Iran, which can be used in management programs. Aside from improving monitoring efforts within key habitats of the species, enhancing conservation efforts to secure the population is essential to safeguard this female core area.

Keywords

• baseline assessment
• Brown Bear
• Iran
• monitoring
• Ursus arctos syriacus.