In ecosystems throughout the world, maintaining viable populations of large carnivores will require that they coexist in a landscape with people that bring anthropogenic resources (e.g., livestock, trash, and pet food) and make them available to wildlife (Conover 2002; Linnell et al. 2001; Woodroffe et al. 2005a). Many large carnivores will readily use anthropogenic food sources, which often leads to conflict and can lower human tolerance for these species (e.g., Beckmann and Berger 2003; Packer et al. 2005; Woodroffe and Ginsberg 1998). Thus, reducing conflict can be a critical component of many conservation plans (Andren et al. 2006; Woodroffe et al. 2005b) as well as an important consideration for lowering economic impacts and threats to human health and safety
(Conover 2002; Thirgood et al. 2005). The black bear (Ursus americanus) is one of the most adaptable of all large carnivores and conflict with humans is a critical and growing management issue throughout its range (Baruch-Mordo et al. 2008; Hristienko and McDonald 2007; Pelton 2003). Black bears will readily raid trash cans, break into cars and houses, and steal food from campers, but there has been little effort in understanding details of these foraging decisions. In natural environments black bears are known to forage selectively (e.g., on ant species-Auger et al. 2004; Noyce et al. 1997), presumably to enhance energetic gains and lower foraging costs (Schoener 1971). It is reasonable to expect that black bears will show similar selectivity when using anthropogenic food sources as well. Our objective was to determine whether black bears in Yosemite National Park, California, foraged selectively for anthropogenic food sources. We focused on bears breaking into vehicles, but emphasize that understanding details of the foraging behavior of carnivores in anthropogenic environments can help reveal specific causes of conflict, leading to better strategies for reducing availability of anthropogenic foods and preventing conflict. Read the full report.