Comments on: Andean Bear Country http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2008/12/22/andean-bear-country/ Mon, 15 Mar 2010 23:22:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Renzo Vargas R. http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2008/12/22/andean-bear-country/comment-page-1/#comment-422221 Renzo Vargas R. Mon, 02 Feb 2009 14:32:49 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/?p=3045#comment-422221 Hello Russ, It was a pleasure to see your blog and to see how you show to the people the advance of your work. Definitively, to work with the Andean Bear is a giant challenge in agreement to the integrity of people studying to this species in pro of its conservation. I will be attentive to the advances of your studies since in Bolivia I will also continue working in similar aspects and I hope that in a future we have a new opportunity to exchange knowledge and experiences. A great greeting and good luck for when you return. Renzo Hello Russ,

It was a pleasure to see your blog and to see how you show to the people the advance of your work. Definitively, to work with the Andean Bear is a giant challenge in agreement to the integrity of people studying to this species in pro of its conservation. I will be attentive to the advances of your studies since in Bolivia I will also continue working in similar aspects and I hope that in a future we have a new opportunity to exchange knowledge and experiences.

A great greeting and good luck for when you return.

Renzo

]]> By: Russ Van Horn http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2008/12/22/andean-bear-country/comment-page-1/#comment-413888 Russ Van Horn Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:52:01 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/?p=3045#comment-413888 NJR - One of our research interests is to determine what the bears are eating, other than crops. We found bear hair, bromeliads that were eaten by bear(s), and footprints. We did not find bear scat, which is often used by researchers to identify the diet of bears. Other researchers have dissected scat and found that Andean bears eat a wide range of fruits, and bromeliads, and bamboo. I suspect the scat does not last long in the forests of southeast Peru because of the high levels of humidity and insect activity. When I return there I plan to estimate the “half-life” of bear scat by conducting experiments with feces from dogs, and possibly llamas. Nancy, I feel the biggest accomplishment of the trip, and the accomplishment that will have the greatest repercussions, was to begin building a positive reputation among other Andean bear biologists and local people. We’re working in an area that is mostly outside of any park or reserve boundaries, so conservation and conservation research there will depend on the involvement and good will of the local people. Joy, thanks for the tips on the language training websites, which I hope to investigate sooner rather than later. Thanks for your interest, everyone! I’ll start blogging again when I’ve something to write about, which will probably not be until March. NJR – One of our research interests is to determine what the bears are eating, other than crops. We found bear hair, bromeliads that were eaten by bear(s), and footprints. We did not find bear scat, which is often used by researchers to identify the diet of bears. Other researchers have dissected scat and found that Andean bears eat a wide range of fruits, and bromeliads, and bamboo. I suspect the scat does not last long in the forests of southeast Peru because of the high levels of humidity and insect activity. When I return there I plan to estimate the “half-life” of bear scat by conducting experiments with feces from dogs, and possibly llamas.
Nancy, I feel the biggest accomplishment of the trip, and the accomplishment that will have the greatest repercussions, was to begin building a positive reputation among other Andean bear biologists and local people. We’re working in an area that is mostly outside of any park or reserve boundaries, so conservation and conservation research there will depend on the involvement and good will of the local people.
Joy, thanks for the tips on the language training websites, which I hope to investigate sooner rather than later.
Thanks for your interest, everyone! I’ll start blogging again when I’ve something to write about, which will probably not be until March.

]]> By: nancy from michigan http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2008/12/22/andean-bear-country/comment-page-1/#comment-411667 nancy from michigan Sun, 28 Dec 2008 17:07:52 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/?p=3045#comment-411667 thanks russ for the up-dates on the andean bears! I have read all of your posts and find it most interesting. it sounds like alot of hard work discovering all you can about these elusive bears. I don't know if i could live and breathe at such high elevations. no wonder you feel like you need to get in shape. it makes you wonder how people can live at high altitudes. I guess they are just used to it. I BET THEY DON'T SMOKE! HA HA!!!! KEEP US INFORMED, WE ARE INTERESTED! THANKS. thanks russ for the up-dates on the andean bears! I have read all of your posts and find it most interesting. it sounds like alot of hard work discovering all you can about these elusive bears. I don’t know if i could live and breathe at such high elevations. no wonder you feel like you need to get in shape.
it makes you wonder how people can live at high altitudes. I guess they are just used to it. I BET THEY DON’T SMOKE! HA HA!!!! KEEP US INFORMED, WE ARE INTERESTED! THANKS.

]]> By: Pepsi Coke http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2008/12/22/andean-bear-country/comment-page-1/#comment-411309 Pepsi Coke Fri, 26 Dec 2008 21:24:14 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/?p=3045#comment-411309 Great trip! I think you should go on a second. Great trip! I think you should go on a second.

]]> By: Joy in Kansas http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2008/12/22/andean-bear-country/comment-page-1/#comment-410990 Joy in Kansas Thu, 25 Dec 2008 13:53:01 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/?p=3045#comment-410990 My family lived in Peru for a year while I was in middle school. I have an affinity for all things Peruvian, so I am really rooting for your efforts with those Andean Bears! For language learning, try Magnum Language Systems (magnumlanguage.com) - they appear to have a Quechua version. I also hear good things about mylanguageexchange.com My family lived in Peru for a year while I was in middle school. I have an affinity for all things Peruvian, so I am really rooting for your efforts with those Andean Bears! For language learning, try Magnum Language Systems (magnumlanguage.com) – they appear to have a Quechua version. I also hear good things about mylanguageexchange.com

]]> By: Shirley Sykes http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2008/12/22/andean-bear-country/comment-page-1/#comment-410523 Shirley Sykes Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:41:36 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/?p=3045#comment-410523 Thanks Russ. I do appreciate the information. It seems that, as a zoophile and volunteer, the more I learn, the more there is to know. Blogs like yours are really helpful! Thanks Russ. I do appreciate the information. It seems that, as a zoophile and volunteer, the more I learn, the more there is to know. Blogs like yours are really helpful!

]]> By: njr_sd http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2008/12/22/andean-bear-country/comment-page-1/#comment-410077 njr_sd Tue, 23 Dec 2008 01:33:52 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/?p=3045#comment-410077 Hi Russ - Exactly what evidence of bear did you find - bear scat, paw prints....?? Any ideas what the bears in this area eat - besides the farmer's corn when it's ripe? What do you feel was the biggest accomplishment of your trip to Peru? --Nancy Robertson Hi Russ -
Exactly what evidence of bear did you find – bear scat, paw prints….?? Any ideas what the bears in this area eat – besides the farmer’s corn when it’s ripe?

What do you feel was the biggest accomplishment of your trip to Peru?

–Nancy Robertson

]]> By: Russ Van Horn http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2008/12/22/andean-bear-country/comment-page-1/#comment-410038 Russ Van Horn Mon, 22 Dec 2008 22:57:56 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/?p=3045#comment-410038 I'm glad that these blogs have been of interest to you, and I hope they're more substantive by next summer! Yes, the Andean bear and spectacled bear are both the same species, which also has several other names in Spanish and other languages. In fact, in some places this species was traditionally known by different names, depending on what it ate. A few scientists are investigating the conservation implications of regional cultural differences, one aspect of which is what to call the bears. I’m glad that these blogs have been of interest to you, and I hope they’re more substantive by next summer!
Yes, the Andean bear and spectacled bear are both the same species, which also has several other names in Spanish and other languages. In fact, in some places this species was traditionally known by different names, depending on what it ate. A few scientists are investigating the conservation implications of regional cultural differences, one aspect of which is what to call the bears.

]]> By: Shirley Sykes http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2008/12/22/andean-bear-country/comment-page-1/#comment-409994 Shirley Sykes Mon, 22 Dec 2008 21:16:36 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/?p=3045#comment-409994 Hi Russ. I've been reading all your "ramblings," as you call them, and have been learning a lot about the Andean Bears and the really hard work you on-site scientists do. Thank you so very much!. One question: is the Andean Bear the same subspecie as the Spectacled Bear? They look very much alike to my uneducated eyes. All best of luck with your Quechua language studies. I look forward to seeing future blogs, perhaps by summer (?). Hi Russ. I’ve been reading all your “ramblings,” as you call them, and have been learning a lot about the Andean Bears and the really hard work you on-site scientists do. Thank you so very much!. One question: is the Andean Bear the same subspecie as the Spectacled Bear? They look very much alike to my uneducated eyes. All best of luck with your Quechua language studies. I look forward to seeing future blogs, perhaps by summer (?).

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