The behavior of Asiatic black bear cubs (Ursus (Selenarctos) thibetanus G. Guvier, 1823) in the process of adaptation to the natural environment

摘要

This paper presents a detailed description of the basic types of behavior in Asiatic black bear cubs that were fostered for reintroduction. The research on the behavior of orphaned bear cubs in the Ussuri reserve of the Primorye Territory showed that the formation of behavior was caused by the parameters of the environment, among which tree and bush vegetation were the most influential. Bear cubs start to eat vegetative parts of plants at the age of 2 months. Trees are used for games and as refuges. The skills of defensive behavior that initially arise in games on a congenital basis help further survival in the natural environment. This is confirmed by the data that was obtained after placing animals in the natural environment and determining their fate in the wild. The success of the development of adaptive behavior showed these fostering methods to be correct.