Bears translocated away from human settlements due to conflict have low survival in their new ranges in Tennessee.
When people think of translocation to remedy conflicts, “it’s a little bit of out of sight, out of mind,” said Kristin Botzet, who conducted this research as a graduate research assistant at the University of Tennessee. But translocated bears don’t go “live happily ever after in the forest,” she found.
As human development expands into black bear (Ursus americanus) habitat, people are increasingly encountering the predators. While there are seldom attacks, some bears are attracted to the prospect of an easy meal, and human garbage provides…