First Photo Evidence of the American Black Bear (Ursus americanus) in the Southwestern Limit of Its Distribution

Abstract

We present the first photographic evidence of the American black bear (Ursus americanus) in the southwestern limit of its distribution, representing the second record from the state of Hidalgo and the first photographic evidence of a live specimen in Los Marmoles National Park. The black bear recorded in photographs and videos was a subadult male. A total of 51 photo captures of the black bear in oak and pine-oak forests were obtained in 4 localities of Los Marmoles National Park within an altitude range of 1566 m to 1915 m. It is important to implement an adequate management and protection program to conserve the temperate forests in northwestern Hidalgo; these ecosystems could be an important refuge for large carnivores like the black bear.