Tremarctos ornatus, the Andean bear or “ucimari” has received the more
popular name of Spectacled bear as the tawny markings around the eyes give the
appearance that the bear is wearing glasses. It is the only species of bear
found in South America and the largest carnivore on the continent.
Distribution, Population and Range: The Spectacled bear can be found along the
Andean slopes in Venezuela, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. Small
populations are to be found in southern Panama and northern Argentina. The
Spectacled bear dwells in the lower level tropical forested areas and the alpine
meadows found at higher elevations. The Spectacled bear is rare and endangered
and whilst no exact population study has been conducted, it is likely that fewer
than 2,000 exist in the wild today.
Physical Characteristics: The average height of a Spectacled bear is 76
centimetres, its length 130-190 centimetres and its weight between 80 and 125
kilograms. Males are generally a third larger and heavier than the female and
have been recorded to weigh 175 kilograms. The Spectacled bear is expected to
have a lifespan of 25 years in the wild.
The Spectacled bear has extremely powerful jaws and teeth and their claws are
adapted to climbing. They are often reported foraging for food in trees over 15
metres in height. The Spectacled bear is considered a vital source of seed
dispersal in the forest. When feeding they are renowned for bending branches and
constructing a nest that serves as both a feeding platform and day time
sanctuary. The bear is primarily nocturnal.
Diet: The Spectacled bear is primarily a vegetarian although it will catch the
occasional bird, reptile and rodent. Fruit, sugar cane, palm leaves and nuts,
bromeliads and orchids also make up this bear’s diet.
Hibernation: There are no recorded examples of hibernation due to the annual
availability of food.
Family Life: Females are capable of reproduction by four years of age and mating
generally occurs between April and June with the cubs born November through
February. As the gestation period for Spectacled bears is highly variable and
may range between 5 and 8 and a half months, researchers believe that Spectacled
bears employ the process of delayed implementation. Cubs are always born just
before the onset of the fruit season.
One or two 300-500 gram cubs are born and will stay with the mother for six to
eight months before venturing out on their own. As with all bear species, their
chances of survival depend upon how well their mother taught them the necessary
survival skills.
Spectacled bears are very rarely seen together unless they are new mothers, and
it is believed that they lead a generally solitary life.
Conservation Status: The Spectacled bear is listed as vulnerable in the IUCN Red
Data Book and is listed as an Appendix 1 species under CITES.
Threats: Loss of rainforest habitat and illegal poaching for the wildlife trade
pose the largest threats to the Spectacled bear. Incidences of poaching to
remove gall bladders point to the fact that illegal body parts are being
harvested to provide the local medicinal market.
In 1998-99 Free the Bears Fund provided financial support for Project Eakehei’s
sociological and biological study of the forested area of Rio Nangaritza Valley,
Ecuador. As part of this study the Project documented the presence of the
Spectacled bear, information that will assist in the sustainable management of
the area.
This project gained an insight into the impact of the Las Orquideas community,
residing on the boundary of the Podocarpus National Park, highlighting how
current unsustainable agricultural practices threaten the surrounding forest.
Through education, infrastructure and the introduction of sustainable
agricultural practices, not only will the lives of this community be enriched,
but the forest ecosystem, of which the Spectacled bear is an integral component,
will be preserved.
References: The above has been prepared by reading the information provided by
Don Middleton on his web-site: www.naturenet.com/bears and the Bear Den at
www.bearden.org; Jeremy Cox, Project Eakehei.
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