Human impacts on brown bears at Pack Creek, Admiralty Island, Alaska

Abstract

Human disturbance of brown bears (Ursus arctos) was studied at Pack Creek on Admiralty Island in Southeast Alaska during 1983 and 1984. The Pack Creek watershed is closed to bear hunting. Use of the area by bear-watchers is increasing. Instantaneous scan sampling was used to observe bears at a control area with negligible human activity and at the popular Pack Creek area. Six bears were radio-collared to assess movements away from Pack Creek. Bears were crepuscular in the two areas. Individuals that were highly tolerant of visitors used the Pack Creek area during the mid-day period of high visitor use more than other bears. Over 80% of the observations of Pack Creek bears were of females, suggesting that visitor use may differentially affect sexes. Food-conditioned bears showed boldness that could cause undesirable incidents. Except for occasional sallies, Pack Creek females remained within the watershed. Males frequented several watersheds.