Post by warsaw on Apr 22, 2012 2:18:33 GMT -9
Two subspecies of brown bears occupy
Kazakhstan: the Eurasian brown bear (Ursus
arctos arctos) and the “white claw” or Tienshan
bear (U. a. isabellinus). They inhabit the mountain forests of Kazakhstan’s part of Altai, and the Tien-shan and Dzungarian
Alatau Mountains, respectively. However, disagreements persist over this classification. Some biologists argue that
the Eurasian brown bear is the sole subspecies in Kazakhstan. Conversely, others have indicated that the Eurasian brown
bears living between Western Siberia and the Russian Far East deserve their own subspecies designation (U. a.yeniseensis)
(Ognev 1931, Heptner et al. 1967).
Tien-shan Brown Bear
The Tien-shan brown bear is a smaller
subspecies. The pelage is a light-brown
or sandy color, and can appear white. A
prominent distinguishing feature of this
subspecies is its white claws.
The Tien-shan brown bear occurs along
ridges of the Tien-shan Mountains and
Dzungarian Alatau. The eastern limit of
their distribution is not well documented.
Since the 19th century, the range of this
subspecies has been greatly diminished due
to habitat destruction and direct mortality.
A vast reduction in population occurred
during 1930–1950. This bear is now rare
in all parts of its range. Current population
size in Kazahkstan is estimated to be about
200 bears, with 20–25 in the Almaty nature
reserve and 65–70 in the Aksu-Dzhabagly
reserve. Roughly 30–40 bears live in
the Zailijsky, Alatau, and Kirghiz ridges
and 100–120 in the Talassky, Ugamsky,
Pskemsky, and Karzhantau ridges. The two
densest populations of bears occur on the
northern slope of Dzungarian Alatau and the Aksu-Dzhabagly reserve ( Zhirjakov and Grachev 1993).
In western Tien-shan, brown bear habitat is dominated by forested areas with mast trees; in eastern Tien-shan, the habitat
is dominated by aspen (Populus), birch (Betula) and fir trees (Abies) Common underbrush species include honeysuckle
(Lonicera), raspberries (Rubus), rose hips (Rosa), and currant (Ribes). The diet of Tien-shan brown bears consists of grasses,
roots, berries and fruits. Livestock depredations are rare. Hibernation occurs from October–March. After den emergence,
bears head to lower altitudes, where berries first ripen. In autumn, bears migrate back to higher altitudes.
Direct mortality (illegal killing) is the greatest threat to these bears. Habitat degradation and loss, and displacement from
ecotourists are additional threats.
Conservation
In 1976, hunting for the Tien-shan subspecies was outlawed. Since 1978, this subspecies has been listed in the Red Book
of Kazakhstan (category III) and the IUCN Red List. The Tien-shan bear is also afforded extra protection within several
reserves.
Legislative protection of all rare species in Kazakhstan is regulated by the Criminal Code of Kazakhstan. Killing, trade,
harvest, and sale of protected animals are prohibited. The state is responsible for protection and enforcement. Despite these
regulations, poaching still exists. Enforcement of wildlife laws is difficult due to the large areas and lack of resources.
Legal hunting plays an important role in brown bear protection. In many areas in eastern Kazakhstan, Eurasian brown
bears are common and exist outside of protected areas, where regulated hunting occurs. Hunting of the more common
Eurasian brown bear may reduce poaching pressure on the Tien-shan subspecies. Hunting operations are under the jurisdiction
of the State Committee of the Forest and Hunting Economy within the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan.
These organizations are charged with setting hunting quotas and regulations. Brown bear hunting is only legal in eastern
Kazakhstan. The hunting season runs from 1 September–30 November, with sustainable quotas of 40–50 bears (~6 % of the
estimated population).
www.bearbiology.com/fileadmin/tpl/Downloads/IBN_Newsletters/IBN_Low_February_2012.pdf
Kazakhstan: the Eurasian brown bear (Ursus
arctos arctos) and the “white claw” or Tienshan
bear (U. a. isabellinus). They inhabit the mountain forests of Kazakhstan’s part of Altai, and the Tien-shan and Dzungarian
Alatau Mountains, respectively. However, disagreements persist over this classification. Some biologists argue that
the Eurasian brown bear is the sole subspecies in Kazakhstan. Conversely, others have indicated that the Eurasian brown
bears living between Western Siberia and the Russian Far East deserve their own subspecies designation (U. a.yeniseensis)
(Ognev 1931, Heptner et al. 1967).
Tien-shan Brown Bear
The Tien-shan brown bear is a smaller
subspecies. The pelage is a light-brown
or sandy color, and can appear white. A
prominent distinguishing feature of this
subspecies is its white claws.
The Tien-shan brown bear occurs along
ridges of the Tien-shan Mountains and
Dzungarian Alatau. The eastern limit of
their distribution is not well documented.
Since the 19th century, the range of this
subspecies has been greatly diminished due
to habitat destruction and direct mortality.
A vast reduction in population occurred
during 1930–1950. This bear is now rare
in all parts of its range. Current population
size in Kazahkstan is estimated to be about
200 bears, with 20–25 in the Almaty nature
reserve and 65–70 in the Aksu-Dzhabagly
reserve. Roughly 30–40 bears live in
the Zailijsky, Alatau, and Kirghiz ridges
and 100–120 in the Talassky, Ugamsky,
Pskemsky, and Karzhantau ridges. The two
densest populations of bears occur on the
northern slope of Dzungarian Alatau and the Aksu-Dzhabagly reserve ( Zhirjakov and Grachev 1993).
In western Tien-shan, brown bear habitat is dominated by forested areas with mast trees; in eastern Tien-shan, the habitat
is dominated by aspen (Populus), birch (Betula) and fir trees (Abies) Common underbrush species include honeysuckle
(Lonicera), raspberries (Rubus), rose hips (Rosa), and currant (Ribes). The diet of Tien-shan brown bears consists of grasses,
roots, berries and fruits. Livestock depredations are rare. Hibernation occurs from October–March. After den emergence,
bears head to lower altitudes, where berries first ripen. In autumn, bears migrate back to higher altitudes.
Direct mortality (illegal killing) is the greatest threat to these bears. Habitat degradation and loss, and displacement from
ecotourists are additional threats.
Conservation
In 1976, hunting for the Tien-shan subspecies was outlawed. Since 1978, this subspecies has been listed in the Red Book
of Kazakhstan (category III) and the IUCN Red List. The Tien-shan bear is also afforded extra protection within several
reserves.
Legislative protection of all rare species in Kazakhstan is regulated by the Criminal Code of Kazakhstan. Killing, trade,
harvest, and sale of protected animals are prohibited. The state is responsible for protection and enforcement. Despite these
regulations, poaching still exists. Enforcement of wildlife laws is difficult due to the large areas and lack of resources.
Legal hunting plays an important role in brown bear protection. In many areas in eastern Kazakhstan, Eurasian brown
bears are common and exist outside of protected areas, where regulated hunting occurs. Hunting of the more common
Eurasian brown bear may reduce poaching pressure on the Tien-shan subspecies. Hunting operations are under the jurisdiction
of the State Committee of the Forest and Hunting Economy within the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan.
These organizations are charged with setting hunting quotas and regulations. Brown bear hunting is only legal in eastern
Kazakhstan. The hunting season runs from 1 September–30 November, with sustainable quotas of 40–50 bears (~6 % of the
estimated population).
www.bearbiology.com/fileadmin/tpl/Downloads/IBN_Newsletters/IBN_Low_February_2012.pdf
