THE RESULTS OF THE STUDY OF THE BROWN BEAR POPULATION IN THE RUSSIAN PART OF THE PASVIK-INARI TRILATERAL PARK ACCORDING TO DNA ANALYSIS AND DATA FROM CAMERA TRAPS

Abstract

In framework of an international project of brown bear population monitoring, the bear population size and structure were analyzed on the Russian side of the Pasvik-Inari Trilateral Park (Russia, Norway, Finland) in 2015. The paper presents data gathered by two noninvasive methods: DNA analysis of hair samples and feces and the camera traps method. The material was obtained with 5 hair traps of made of barbed wire and scent lure and 4 Boskon Guard camera traps. In addition, feces were collected, as well as hair samples from national border fencing by staff of the Russian Border Authority. In total, 54 hair samples and 10 feces samples were collected. On the basis of the results the brown bear population size was estimated at 20 individuals in the study area: 13 individuals were detected by DNA analysis only, the remaining 7 animals – with the help of camera traps. The records include 9 females and 7 males; 13 adults, 4 yearlings and 3 cubs. The social structure consisted of three family groups, 10 singles, including 1 possible dominant male. Average brown bear density was 100 animals/1000 km². The combined usage of hair and feces collection, camera traps and GIS proved the techniques to be complementary in the analysis of the size and structure of the brown bear population.