We aimed to build seasonal habitat suitability models and maps for brown bear (Ursus arctos), which are distributed in the Artvin-Şavşat region of northeastern Turkey. Between May 2018 and May 2020, 200 camera traps were deployed using an opportunistic camera-trap method. Over 280,000 images were captured during 121,140 camera-trap days, with images including 1,860 brown bears detected. Maximum Entropy analysis, which uses only presence data, was employed for seasonal habitat suitability modelling and mapping of brown bears using 30 independent variables and the presence data of brown bears in spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The difference between the training and test data sets of area under the curve (AUC) scores for each model was used to select the most supported model. The model for spring (AUC: 0.920–0.915) included land use class, annual mean temperature, elevation, annual precipitation, ruggedness, and slope class. The model for summer (AUC: 0.921–0.913) included road density, land use class, annual mean temperature, ruggedness, and slope class. Land use class, road density, distance to settlement, annual mean temperature, elevation, slope class, seasonal precipitation, and ruggedness contributed to the model for autumn (AUC: 0.928–0.925). Model results for different seasons were mapped and areas prioritized for protection of the endangered brown bear were determined.

Species' activity patterns are driven by the need to meet basic requirements such as food, social interactions, movement, and rest. A variety of biotic and abiotic factors often influence these behaviors. From 2011 to 2021 we used camera-trap data to describe and compare the seasonal and daily activity patterns of the relatively poorly studied Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) across 2 study areas on the western and eastern macro slopes of the Sikhote-Alin Ridge (Russia) with differing climate characteristics. We analyzed data from 2,396 independent photo-records, including 225 near denning trees during hibernation. We used a Relative Abundant Index (RAI) for seasonal activity analysis and kernel density estimator based on the time of independent photographic events to calculate the proportion of diurnal, crepuscular, and nocturnal activity of each study area and period. Bears were active on average from 2 April to 3 November on the western macro slope and from 24 March to 8 November on the eastern one, which amounted to 59% and 63% of the year, respectively. Males stayed in dens for 5 months, whereas females with cubs used denning sites for up to 6.5 months. Winter activity was observed on the milder eastern slope (RAI = 0.09) during nut- and acorn-abundant seasons. The mean RAI during the active period for all sexes and ages (Apr–Oct) was 2.6, peaking in September (RAI = 4.8) and August (RAI = 4.3), correlating with feeding and fruit ripening. We compared daily activity patterns for different types of camera-trap locations and found that there were no significant differences (activity overlap coefficient Δ4 varied from 0.81 to 0.93). Daily activity varied across calendar seasons, peaking from 07:00 hours to 19:00 hours. Diurnal activity was predominant (79.73%), with notable crepuscular activity in autumn (19.96%) and winter (21.74%). Nocturnal activity did not differ significantly between seasons. Significant overlap in daily activity was observed between warm and cold seasons (Δ4 = 0.78). The indicators we obtained can be used as a basis for further monitoring the well-being of the Asiatic black bear population at the northern border of the range.