Threats to the World's Bears and Efforts to Conserve Them: Perspectives and Actions of IUCN Bear Specialist Group Members

ABSTRACT

The IUCN Bear Specialist Group (BSG) oversees the conservation of all seven species of terrestrial bears. These species range across most of Asia, Europe, North America, and the Andes Mountains of South America. We surveyed BSG members to gauge their perception of threats to bears in their local area, understand what actions they had undertaken to reduce these threats, and document their opinions of the effectiveness of their actions and the chief constraints encountered. Members indicated that the types and severity of threats to bears varied geographically and by species. Loss, degradation, or fragmentation of forested habitat was rated the highest threat for all species, and among species, was ranked most severe for sloth bears ( Melursus ursinus ) on the Indian subcontinent. Exploitation for trade (illegal hunting) was viewed as the most threatening to sun bears ( Helarctos malayanus ) and Asiatic black bears ( Ursus thibetanus ) in Southeast Asia. Andean bears ( Tremarctos ornatus ) in South America were especially prone to mortality from human–bear conflicts. Future impacts of climate change, although difficult to assess, were considered an impending high threat for Andean bears and brown bears ( U. arctos ) at high elevations in Asia. Although BSG members focused most on the “Assess” phase of IUCN's conservation cycle (Assess, Plan, Act, Communicate, Network), > 80% had also been involved in direct actions (Act phase) aimed at improving or protecting habitat (60%), reducing conflicts (54%), and/or reducing illegal exploitation (33%). Members were more apt to act when they perceived a threat to be high. Their actions also appeared to be influenced by previous success and available resources. Moreover, since two‐thirds of BSG members (higher in Asia) did not self‐identify as bear specialists, their conservation actions were not necessarily targeted at bears. BSG members considered conservation to be most effective in North America and least so in Asia, where resources, human capacity, and government support were lacking. This survey yielded more detailed and spatially explicit information than contained in IUCN Red List Assessments, and should help improve the next Red List update.