Unintentional toxicosis from methylxanthines in chocolate‐based baits consumed by American black bears

Abstract

ABSTRACT The use of baits often increases success for many wildlife management activities, including wildlife capture for research, harvest by hunters and trappers during regulated activities, and lethal and nonlethal control for damage management. However, some baits have unintended toxicity to wildlife, including theobromine and caffeine found in chocolate when used in sufficient quantities by hunters to bait bears. Recent examples have occurred in Michigan and New Hampshire, USA, and regulatory adjustments to prohibit use of chocolate (and other processed food products) as bait for bears have been proposed with varying degrees of success. To account for the potential lethal effects to both target and nontarget animal species, agencies charged with managing wildlife species should consider regulations or educational efforts to eliminate or minimize use of chocolate products for recreational feeding or baiting to attract wildlife species for capture, harvest, or observation. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.

Keywords

• American black bear
• baiting
• caffeine
• methylxanthines
• theobromine
• Ursus americanus