Development of a noninvasive photograph-based method for the evaluation of body condition in free-ranging brown bears.

ABSTRACT: Body condition is an important determinant of health, and its evaluation has practical applications for the conservation and management of mammals. We developed a noninvasive method that uses photographs to assess the body condition of free-ranging brown bears (Ursus arctos) in the Shiretoko Peninsula, Hokkaido, Japan. First, we weighed and measured 476 bears captured during 1998-2017 and calculated their body condition index (BCI) based on residuals from the regression of body mass against body length. BCI showed seasonal changes and was lower in spring and summer than in autumn. The torso height:body length ratio was strongly correlated with BCI, which suggests that it can be used as an indicator of body condition. Second, we examined the precision of photograph-based measurements

SUBMITTER: Shirane Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7505064 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature