Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) @ibabearbiology.bsky.social · 1d

Part 11- IBA’s Bear Safety Series
Dr. Stephen Herrero’s Research

This series is an educational tool for anyone living, travelling, or working in #AmericanBlackBear and #GrizzlyBear territory in North America.

Full video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-zk...

More about bears: bearbiology.org

International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) @ibabearbiology.bsky.social · 1d

Don’t miss this special screening of BEAR GUARDIANS — a film that follows a father-daughter duo in Cambodia dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned sun and moon bears at Cambodia Bear Sanctuary.
Q&A with wildlife biologists to follow.

More info here: www.explorers.org/calendar-of-...

Image of sun bear clinging to tree with human standing on the other side of tree looking at the bear. Text on screen shares details of the film.

1 2

International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) @ibabearbiology.bsky.social · 22d

Join WCB for the 8th Field-Based Training on Advances in Wildlife Research with Special Emphasis on Sloth Bear Conservation in India 🐻

Apply before 30th November 2025

📩 Contact: [email protected] | +91 8320519905 | +91 9998981560

#slothbear #bearconservation #bearresearch #indiawildlife

1 2

International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) @ibabearbiology.bsky.social · 24d

Sun bears (Helarctos malayanus) are the smallest bear species, yet have the longest tongue of any bear, stretching up to 46cm!

Learn about #sunbears on IBA’s website: www.bearbiology.org/the-eight-be...

You can donate your bear photos to IBA here: forms.gle/nD6JqLhK58cP...
#bearresearch #bearfacts

sun bear with tongue out and paw raised in the air. Photo by Peter Yuen

sun bear lounging on a tree branch. Photo by Siew Te Wong.

close up of hind paw of sun bear. Photo by Frank T. van Manen.

sun bear hides behind a tree, with head and front paws visible. Photo by Siew Te Wong.

2 3

International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) @ibabearbiology.bsky.social · 24d

We are featuring select articles available in IBA’s peer-reviewed journal, URSUS. Mumford et al. “Grizzly bear behavior in south-central Alaska: Use of a hidden Markov model to assess behavior”.

View the full post on our IG & FB pages!

Full article: doi.org/10.2192/URSU...

#bearresearch #grizzly

Image out an airplane window of the vast landscape in Alaska. Text on screen explains purpose of the study.

Map of Alaska with square around study area (Nelchina Basin). Second photo is of human working on sedated bear, holding a GPS collar. Text on screen explains study area & methods.

2025 Ursus cover with text encouraging biologists to publish their work in Ursus.

4

International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) @ibabearbiology.bsky.social · Sep 10

Did you know? 🐻‍❄️

Pregnant female polar bears can fast for up to 8 months a year.

Want to learn more about bears? Check out our species pages and explore the fascinating adaptations of all 8 bear species: www.bearbiology.org/the-eight-be...

#bearbiology #bearconservation #polarbear #bearresearch

Polar bear stands on sea ice looking at camera with “did you know?” fact at the bottom.

Same image of polar bear with text overlaid describing a pregnant polar bear’s fasting period.

References:
1. Messier, F., M.K. Taylor, and M.A. Ramsay. 1994. Denning ecology of polar bears in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Journal of Mammalogy 75:420–430. doi: 10.2307/1382563
2. Ursus maritimus (Polar bear) (webpage). International Association for Bear Research and Management.
3. Rode, K.D., J.D. Reist, E. Peacock, and I. Stirling. 2010. Comments in response to “Estimating the energetic contribution of polar bear (Ursus maritimus) summer diets to the total energy budget” by Dyck and Kebreab (2009). Journal of Mammalogy 91:1517–1523. doi: 10.1644/09-MAMM-A-399.1
4. Rode, K.D., C.T. Robbins, L. Nelson, and S.C. Amstrup. 2015. Can polar bears use terrestrial foods to offset lost ice-based hunting opportunities? Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 13:138–145. doi: 10.1890/140202
5. Stirling, I., and A.E. Derocher. 2012. Effects of climate warming on polar bears: a review of the evidence. Global Change Biology 18:2694–2706. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2486.2012.02753.x
6. Robbins, C.T., C. Lopez-Alfaro, K.D. Rode, Ø. Tøien, and O.L. Nelson. 2012. Hibernation and seasonal fasting in bears: the energetic costs and consequences for polar bears. Journal of Mammalogy 93:1493–1503. doi: 10.1644/11-MAMM-A-406.1

Same image of polar bear with infographic over top, showing a general timeline of a year in a polar bear’s life.

References:
1. Messier, F., M.K. Taylor, and M.A. Ramsay. 1994. Denning ecology of polar bears in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Journal of Mammalogy 75:420–430. doi: 10.2307/1382563
2. Ursus maritimus (Polar bear) (webpage). International Association for Bear Research and Management.
3. Rode, K.D., J.D. Reist, E. Peacock, and I. Stirling. 2010. Comments in response to “Estimating the energetic contribution of polar bear (Ursus maritimus) summer diets to the total energy budget” by Dyck and Kebreab (2009). Journal of Mammalogy 91:1517–1523. doi: 10.1644/09-MAMM-A-399.1
4. Rode, K.D., C.T. Robbins, L. Nelson, and S.C. Amstrup. 2015. Can polar bears use terrestrial foods to offset lost ice-based hunting opportunities? Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 13:138–145. doi: 10.1890/140202
5. Stirling, I., and A.E. Derocher. 2012. Effects of climate warming on polar bears: a review of the evidence. Global Change Biology 18:2694–2706. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2486.2012.02753.x
6. Robbins, C.T., C. Lopez-Alfaro, K.D. Rode, Ø. Tøien, and O.L. Nelson. 2012. Hibernation and seasonal fasting in bears: the energetic costs and consequences for polar bears. Journal of Mammalogy 93:1493–1503. doi: 10.1644/11-MAMM-A-406.1

2

International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) @ibabearbiology.bsky.social · Sep 8

Part 10- IBA’s Bear Safety Series:
Non-Defensive Encounters

This series is an educational tool for anyone living, travelling, or working in #AmericanBlackBear and #GrizzlyBear territory in North America.

Full video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-zk...

More about #bears : bearbiology.org
#BearSafety

1

Reposted by International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA)

Bear Conservation @bear-conservation.bsky.social · Aug 25

Spotlight on Europe’s rarest bear: global conference in the Central Apennines

Steps taken to help people share space with bears in the Central Apennines of Italy mean the future of the Marsican brown bear now looks brighter.

rewildingeurope.com/news/spotlig...

Spotlight on Europe’s rarest bear: global conference in the Central Apennines | Rewilding Europe

Steps taken to help people share space with bears in the Central Apennines of Italy mean the future of the Marsican brown bear now looks brighter. In 2026, an event in the Central Apennines rewilding…

rewildingeurope.com

5 5

Reposted by International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA)

Polar Bears International @polarbearsinternational.org · Aug 26

Scientists once speculated polar bears may enter a state of “walking hibernation” during fasting periods, but research disproved this. They lack the ability to withstand long fasts by triggering physiological changes like those seen in hibernating animals. pbears.org/4dOYGJZ

3 17

Reposted by International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA)

vivi-alba.bsky.social @vivi-alba.bsky.social · Sep 4

🐻 El Festival del Oso andino, desde el 2022 a tenido un creciente impacto en la ciudad de La Paz - Bolivia 🇧🇴.
✨ El Programa de Conservación JUKUMARI-BOLIVIA, agradece a todas las Instituciones que forman parte de este Festival!

#ConocerParaConservar
#Jukumari
#festivaldelosoandino

1 1

International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) @ibabearbiology.bsky.social · Sep 7

Did you know? 💭
Sloth bears have several adaptations for a myrmecophagous lifestyle, meaning they eat mostly ants and termites.
Check out our species pages and explore the fascinating adaptations of all 8 bear species: www.bearbiology.org/the-eight-be...
*References in alt-text*
#slothbear

Close-up image of a sloth bear’s face with “did you know?” fact at the bottom.

Same image of sloth bear with text overlaid, describing the sloth bear’s adaptations.

References:
1. Servheen, C., S. Herrero, and B. Peyton. 1999. Bears: Status survey and conservation action plan. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK.
2. Mewada, T., and N. Dharaiya. 2010. Seasonal dietary composition of sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) in the reserve forest of Vijaynagar, north Gujarat, India. Tigerpaper 37(2):8–13
3. Swenson. J. E., A. Jansson, R. Riig, and F. Sandegren. 1999. Bear and ants: myrmecophagy by brown bears in central Scandinavia. Canadian Journal of Zoology 77:551–561. doi: 10.1139/z99-004
4. Davidar, E.R.C. 1983. Sloth bear’s (Melursus ursinus) method of hunting for termite nests. Journal of Bombay Natural History Society 80:637.
5. Melursus ursinus (Sloth bear) (webpage). International Association for Bear Research and Management.

2 3

International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) @ibabearbiology.bsky.social · Sep 1

The Summer Issue of International Bear News is here! 🐻

Explore the latest issue of IBN, featuring new bear research, conservation updates, recent literature, upcoming events, & more from our global bear community.

Download IBN now to read this story and more! www.bearbiology.org/publications...

Polar bear swimming underwater with bubbles coming out of its nose. On-screen text introduces the article “Polar Bear Breakthroughs: The role of Zoos in Conservation”

Polar bear provides paw for blood draw in zoo setting; on-screen text gives a short article summary.

Polar bear in the wild walks along the sea ice, with on-screen text explaining the new Polar Bear Research Masterplan.

2 3

International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) @ibabearbiology.bsky.social · Aug 26

Part 9- IBA’s Bear Safety Series
Defensive Bear Encounters

This series is an educational tool for anyone living, travelling, or working in #AmericanBlackBear and #GrizzlyBear territory in North America.

Full video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-zk...

More about #bears : bearbiology.org
#BearSafety

1

International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) @ibabearbiology.bsky.social · Aug 25

The 29th IBA Conference will be held in Pescasseroli, Italy, in the Central Apennines from September 20–25, 2026.

Stay tuned for updates on registration and additional information as the conference approaches.

Read the full press release here: www.bearbiology.org/wp-content/u...

#bearconservation

Brown bear basking in the sun on a rocky hill. Text on screen includes date and location of IBA Conference, with logos of organizations involved.

2 4

International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) @ibabearbiology.bsky.social · Aug 24

The Summer Issue of International Bear News is here! 🐻

Explore the latest issue of IBN, featuring new bear research, conservation updates, recent literature, upcoming events, & more from our global bear community.

Download IBN now to read this story and more! www.bearbiology.org/publications...

Person points at a tall, rocky ancient dam in Iran. On-screen text introduces the article “How is ancient dam restoration in Iran helping critically endangered black bears?”

Person looks at a stone sediment-trap dam; on-screen text gives a short article summary.

Person stands beneath dead date palm trees, with on-screen text noting that restoring dams helps save this vital bear food source.

2 1

International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) @ibabearbiology.bsky.social · Aug 19

The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) is accepting registrations for their 2025 Council Meeting: "Navigating the Evolving Science Policy Landscape with Resilience," on September 9, 2025, from 12-2 p.m. ET.

Register now: aibs.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

plant grows through a sidewalk crack. Text on screen reads “navigating the evolving science policy landscape with resilience” along with event details.

1 1

International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) @ibabearbiology.bsky.social · Aug 18

Part 8- IBA’s Bear Safety Series:
Bear Stress Response & Behavior

This series is an educational tool for anyone living, travelling, or working in #AmericanBlackBear and #GrizzlyBear territory in North America.

Full video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-zk...

More about #bears : bearbiology.org

1

International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) @ibabearbiology.bsky.social · Aug 13

🐻 We are introducing some of our dedicated IBA members, spanning the globe and working to protect and conserve all 8 bear species. 🌍

You can help support their vital work by donating to the IBA today.

bearbiology.org

#bearresearch #bearconservation #bearbiology #savebears

2

International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) @ibabearbiology.bsky.social · Aug 5

We are featuring select articles available in IBA’s peer-reviewed journal, URSUS.
McGeachy et al. “Possible sexually selected infanticide by polar bears in western Hudson Bay”.

Full post on our IG & FB pages!

Full article: doi.org/10.2192/URSU...

IBA Members get access to all URSUS articles.

2. Aerial image of polar bear walking on snow. Text on screen defines Infanticide.

3. Image of polar bear cub. Text on screen explains criteria for sexually selected infanticide (SSI) among polar bears.

Image of two polar bear cubs snuggled up, looking at camera. Text on screen summarizes the paper and findings.

2 3

International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) @ibabearbiology.bsky.social · Aug 4

Part 7-IBA’s Bear Safety Series
Hierarchy & bear-bear interactions

This series is an educational tool for anyone living, travelling, or working in #AmericanBlackBear and #GrizzlyBear territory in North America.

Full video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-zk...

bearbiology.org

#BearSafety

International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) @ibabearbiology.bsky.social · Aug 3

There are passionate students, researchers, and conservationists around the world who want to be part of IBA, but financial barriers can make it difficult to join a professional society.

Contact Jennapher: [email protected]
(Use subject line “Gifting Membership”)

Two smiling people install a camera trap on a small tree. Text on screen describes the meaningful impact of IBA’s gifting membership program.

A sloth bear crosses a dirt road. Text describes benefits of an IBA membership.

Collage of IBA members working in the field and a group photo from the IBA Conference. Text on screen encourages readers to ask about our gifting membership program.

2 1

International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) @ibabearbiology.bsky.social · Jul 30

Part 6-IBA’s #BearSafety Series
Grizzly vs. Black bear distribution & characteristics

This series is an educational tool for anyone living, travelling, or working in #AmericanBlackBear and #GrizzlyBear territory in North America.

Full video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-zk...

🐻 bearbiology.org

International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) @ibabearbiology.bsky.social · Jul 29

Dr. Andrew Derocher (URSUS Editor & IBA member) has spent decades studying polar bears in Western Hudson Bay. This study tracks polar bear movements, body condition, and sea ice ecology to support conservation planning. @aederocher.bsky.social
#bearconservation #polarbears #arcticresearch

4 8

International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) @ibabearbiology.bsky.social · Jul 28

Applications for the IBA 2025-26 grant funding cycle are open! Deadline: 1 October 2025.

IBA grants are available to eligible members. If your membership is not current, your application will not be reviewed.

More info/apply:
www.bearbiology.org/grants/

#bearconservation #bearresearch

Same giant panda photo with overlay text providing information about the Research & Conservation Grant Program.

Same giant panda photo with overlay text providing information about the Experience & Exchange Grant Program.

Same giant panda photo with the words “Apply Now!” and “Deadline: October 1, 2025”.

2 1

International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) @ibabearbiology.bsky.social · Jul 27

Part 5-IBA’s Bear Safety Series
Grizzly vs. Black bear behavior

This series is an educational tool for anyone living, travelling, or working in #AmericanBlackBear and #GrizzlyBear territory in North America

Full video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-zk...

More about #bears: bearbiology.org
#BearSafety

1