Sep 2024: IBA Conference
The Bear Specialist Group participated in the IBA (International Association for Bear Research and Management) Conference in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, 15-20 September, 2024. We held a formal session under the theme: EMPLOYING IUCN’S SPECIES CONSERVATION CYCLE for BEARS: EXAMPLES FROM AROUND THE WORLD.
This included an introduction to the session, which was done via mime acting. This was followed by 6 presentations that provided examples of all 5 components of the “conservation cycle”, from all 4 continents inhabitated by bears.
BSG session presenters at IBA conference, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Aspects of conservation cycle covered in BSG presentations
We held a BSG “Member’s Forum”, which included a presentation on what the BSG has accomplished this quadrennium, so far (since 2021), and reviewed the results of the recent survey of conservation activities by BSG members.
Where BSG members work
BSG members' opinions of conservation effectiveness
BSG members in attendance also got together for a “pizza in the park”, where we held a light-hearted contest. BSG members broke into species groups, based on the main focal species of their work, and had 1 minute to prepare a 30-second argument why their bear is “best”. Impartial judges chose the Andean bear group as making the best pitch.
BSG members enjoying pizza in the park, IBA conference, Edmonton, Alberta, Sep 2024
BSG leaders in attendance met to discuss succession of BSG chair.
BSG Leaders representing all 4 continents with bears met at a local Greek restaurant in Edmonton
Nishith Dharaiya wins IBA President's award
Nishith Dharaiya, Co-chair of the BSG's Sloth Bear Expert Team, won the IBA President's award for his tireless dedication to science-based conservation of bears in India. Unfortunately, Nishith could not attend the conference because those with Indian passports could not get visas to Canada. It's great to see Nishith's unique conservation work recognized internationally.
We also enjoyed a casual walk along the river, providing a nice opportunity to have some lengthy chats (mainly bear-related), with colleagues from around the world.
BSG-led riverwalkers, Edmonton, Alberta, Sep 2024
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May 2024
New downloadable book published by European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, Bear Taxon Advisory Group -- All About Ursidae: Bear Educational Guidelines
This is a comprehensive book, profusely illustrated, covering many aspects of bear biology and conservation, including all 8 species of extant bears as well as some information about extinct bears. It is intended as an educational guide, to help raise awareness about bears.
Primary author: Zsuzsa Petró, Member of Bear Specialist Group, Education Advisor of the EAZA Bear Taxon Advisory Group (TAG), and Head of Education Department / SóstóZoo Hungary.
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Asiatic black bear at Chengdu Bear Rescue Center_D. Garshelis
January 2024
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Job Opportunity with captive bears in China
Bear & Vet Team Director
Animals Asia
Chengdu Bear Rescue Centre, China
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October 2023
How do you conserve a shaggy, not very charismatic bear with an irritable personality? It’s one thing to talk about coexistence in a conceptual sense, but quite another to find ways of doing it. Sloth bears and people do not readily mix – they never have, but expanding human populations and shrinking forest habitats have made the situation significantly worse.
And so World Sloth Bear Day was born in 2022, and celebrated again on October 12, 2023. This day is aimed at increasing awareness about this species, and moving towards changing human behaviors to improve coexistence.
Events in India were led by the WCB Research Foundation and Wildlife SOS:
WCB Research Foundation information packet and video links
World Sloth Bear day, October 12, 2023 -- a time to reflect on improved coexistence with an under-appreciated species.
World Sloth Bear Day included webinars by leading experts in sloth bear ecology and conservation
July 2023: This position has been filled.
Attached below is an announcement for a rare, wonderful opportunity for someone looking to do a bear conservation-related PhD project at a prestigious university with outstanding mentors. The Smithsonian Institution and Sapienza University (Rome, Italy), in collaboration with the BSG, are offering a PhD fellowship to create updated range maps for bears in Asia. The BSG will collect the data, and the PhD student will put it all together. The aim is to create maps based on data that can be archived and updated in a repeatable fashion. Another aim is to identify important corridors and small populations that deserve conservation attention.
This will be a perfect project for someone good at GIS and spatial modeling, with a genuine interest in conservation. We are not aiming to create a model showing where bears might be (i.e., adequate habitat), but rather where bears really are.
The student does not have to be a bear expert (or even possess any specific knowledge of bears). Several BSG members will be collaborating on the project, providing expertise on bear ecology. The student does, though, need to have a good background in GIS and have modeling skills. Also, the student must have an MS degree. Preference will be given to students who are likely to continue working in Asia.
Please circulate this advertisement widely, via email and social media, especially to potential students in Asia.
Deadline for application is June 10.
