Detailed project information for Study Plan Number 03002-03

Branch :	Southern Appalachian Field Branch
Study Plan Number :	03002-03
Study Title :	An experimental reintroduction of black bears to the Big South Fork Area of Tennessee and Kentucky
Starting Date :
Completion Date :
Principal Investigator(s) :	Clark, Joe
Primary PI :	Clark, Joe
Telephone Number :	(865) 974-4790
Email Address :	jclark1@usgs.gov
SIS Number :	5002188
Primary Program Element :	Wildlife
Second Program Element :	Application of Science Information to Management
Status :	Completed
Abstract :	The Big South Fork area of Tennessee and Kentucky is among those regions in the Southeast where bears (Ursus americanus) have been extirpated. Black bears were present in the Big South Fork area until the turn of the century. The Big South Fork area consists of about 200,000 acres of sparsely developed land, much of it in ownership by the National Park Service (NPS-Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area) and the U.S.D.A. Forest Service (USFS-Daniel Boone National Forest). Although the area has historically been extensively logged and mined, federal acquisition of lands beginning in the 1930's by the USFS and the NPS has resulted in a dramatic recovery of the habitat for bears. Objectives of this experiment are to: 1) Determine dispersal and mortality rates of reintroduced bears; 2) Assess habitat use by the bears based on van Manen's habitat study; 3) Evaluate effects of bear-human interactions and document any damage to local landowners.
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