Bears exhibiting mating behavior in a tree linked as a first in scientific observations
In the mountainous regions of South America, a team of researchers has made significant strides in understanding the enigmatic Andean bear. Led by wildlife ecologist Ruthmery Pillco Huarcaya, this Peruvian nonprofit Amazon Conservation team has been at the forefront of these discoveries, thanks in part to advancements in technology such as animal-borne cameras.
The journey began with pilot studies using Crittercams on two younger bears, Pillco and Sunchu. The resulting footage showed a male bear named Chris engaging in various behaviours, including swimming, eating fruits, bromeliads, insects, and even stinging nettles.
The most remarkable findings, however, came from a collar-equipped Chris, which recorded over a thousand videos for four months. The footage suggested that Andean bears engage in behaviours like canopy mating, a previously unknown phenomenon.
On December 18, 2023, a female Andean bear started appearing in the videos. No one had ever confirmed arboreal mating in Andean bears before now. The courtship included socializing, sleeping next to each other, and eight separate videos revealing the first-ever evidence of Andean bear mating activity.
This historic event was not without controversy, as the scientists are unsure if Chris killed the young animal or came across a carcass. The footage also reveals the first-ever evidence of Andean bear infanticide, with Chris appearing to eat a baby bear. Some experts suggest that this behaviour could be linked to Chris's consumption of a woolly monkey just a month prior, as males in some animals kill babies of their own species to trigger their mothers to go into heat.
Pillco, who is also an Explorer on a certain website, collared a fourth bear, a male named Adrian-Mayu, whose data has not yet been published. Interestingly, Adrian-Mayu appears to have spent nearly all his time in Peru's native bamboo forests, whereas Chris was partial to the lower and upper montane cloud forests.
The Society, a nonprofit committed to illuminating and protecting the wonder of our world, funded Pillco's work. As a result, we now know that Andean bears have muscles in their back legs that are slightly larger than their front legs, sharp, curved claws for climbing, and the ability to build large platforms in the forest canopy for slumber and safety.
These groundbreaking discoveries not only expand our understanding of Andean bears but also highlight the importance of continued research and conservation efforts. As we continue to uncover the secrets of these elusive creatures, we are reminded of the wonders that still await us in the world's wild places.
