Behavioral Ecology, Volume 29, Issue 3, May/June 2018, Pages 667–675
Mark A Ditmer Spencer J Rettler John R Fieberg Paul A Iaizzo Timothy G LaskeKaren V Noyce David L Garshelis
Abstract
Roadways may negatively impact wildlife species through vehicular-related mortality and spatial displacement or obstruction. Here, we investigated physiological responses, which provide insights into the animal’s perception of its environment. We deployed Global Positioning System (GPS)-collars in combination with cardiac biologgers on American black bears (Ursus americanus; 18 bear-years) in areas with differing road densities across Minnesota, USA. We tested whether bears exhibited acute stress responses, as defined by significant increases in heart rate (HR), associated with road crossings. Maximum HR between successive telemetry locations were, on average, 13 bpm higher when bears were known to cross a road. They crossed a road, on average, once per day. Different demographic groups (males, females with and without cubs) responded similarly…
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Exposing the Big Game 