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Original Articles

Seasonal distribution and food habits of spectacled Bears Tremarctos ornatus in the highlands of Ecuador

Pages 133-136 | Published online: 19 Nov 2008
 

Abstract

The seasonal distribution and food habits of the Spectacled Bear, Tremarctos ornatus, were studied in the subalpine paramo of the Antisana volcano, in Ecuador. The location and age of bear signs indicated that bears occupy paramo areas seasonally up to a maximum of 4,000 m from February to July. Feeding evidence and scat analysis confirmed that bromeliads (Puya sp.) are important bear's food in the highlands. Because the importance of paramo and montane forest habitats to the spectacled bear, large, contiguous areas of these ecotypes need to be preserved.

Resumen

La distribución estacional y los hábitos alimenticios del oso de anteojos, Tremarctos ornatus, fueron estudiados en el páramo subalpino del volcán Antisana, Ecuador. La localización y la edad de signos de oso indicaron que los osos ocupan estacionalmente áreas de páramo hasta una altitud máxima de 4,000 m desde Febrero hasta Julio. Evidencias de alimentación y análisis de excrementos confirmaron la importancia de bromeliáceas (Puya sp.) en la dieta del oso en zonas altoandinas. Debido a la importancia del páramo y del bosque andino en la ecología del oso de anteojos, áreas extensas y contiguas de estos hábitats necesitan ser protegidas.

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