Andean bears are the only bear species in South America, living exclusively in the Andes mountains. They can inhabit landscapes including glaciers and mountain grasslands at altitudes as high as 4,750 meters above sea level, but also montane and Amazon tropical rainforests just a few hundred meters high. A new study reveals their dependency on high altitude habitats.<\/p>\n
The study found that Andean bears in southeastern Peru live mostly in high altitude zones, including mountain ridges and valleys. Most of these landscapes are rather remote and provide bears with food and refuge. However, they are threatened by human expansion and climate change. Indeed, human expansion, together with crops and livestock, into bear habitats, are a main threat to the species. The study found that, in southeastern Peru, the area occupied by Andean bears has shrunk by half in the last centuries, and bears are at risk of getting in conflict with humans in 45% of the area where bears currently live. This means that some habitats can have good conditions for bears to live, but can act as \u201ctraps\u201d, as bears may suffer high mortality from poaching in these areas. Approximately 40% of the Andean bear distribution in southeastern Peru falls inside National Parks and other protected areas, a quarter of which is also at risk of conflict. The presence of livestock activity inside protected areas is well documented in different Andean countries and is an important issue for the conservation of Andean bears.<\/p>\n
The study proposes the enlargement of protected areas and the implementation of a specific programme to reduce livestock losses and crop-raiding by bears and other wildlife.<\/p>\n