More about the Specialist Group

The BSG promotes bear conservation by:

• Fostering research aimed at ascertaining threats, population trends, and habitat needs.
• Monitoring changes in population size, geographic range, habitat, and threats.
• Reducing threats by developing or aiding conservation actions and assessing how well actions are working.
• Assessing status mainly through the Red List process, globally and by country and at the population level for some species.
• Setting priorities for where conservation actions are most needed, and what improvements in research and monitoring are most needed.
• Creating Conservation Action Plans globally or nationally and helping to implement those plans.
• Organizing workshops and symposia for capacity building and sharing of knowledge and expertise.

We aim to utilize and provide accurate and reliable information about bears, the habitats they use, threats to their existence, and their future outlook. While we strive to rely on the “best available science”, we are fully aware that in many cases, scientific data are lacking. Indeed, data-driven population estimates, and assessments of population trends do not exist for the most threatened bear populations. Thus, we also rely on the opinions of the best experts we can find but recognizing the potential for bias. We critically examine all information we receive.

Where data are weak, we tend to err on the side of caution by assuming a higher conservation risk — but we aim not to exaggerate risks simply to draw more attention. If a species’ status is improving in all or parts of its range, we will strive to understand why, and use this knowledge to create positive change in other situations.  We highlight both shortfalls and advances, seeking knowledge that promotes better understanding and informed conservation action, always with a watchful eye on the credibility of the information that we provide.

We are committed to the conservation of bears, but we view that mission in the context of all the world’s biodiversity and social justice considerations. Healthy nature also usually means a healthy, just human population. We will work with any organization or individual sharing our vision of conserving nature that is in some way linked to bears and science based.

Projects of the Specialist Group

1. First species range-wide conservation action plan

Completed in 2019, this plan focuses on the sun bear (Helarctos malayanus), arguably the least known bear species, and a species under considerable threat from poaching and loss and fragmentation of habitat.  The plan covers five goals related to: (1) eliminating illegal exploitation; (2) protecting and restoring habitats; (3) devising and employing monitoring methods; (4) maximizing contributions of ex-situ populations; and (5) increasing cross-sectoral support and collaboration. The plan has been translated into three other languages in Southeast Asia, with the intent to do more.  Also, specific country-level plans are being added.  The plan is being implemented on a number of fronts, including work on demand reduction for bear bile; interviews with hunters to understand motivations for hunting bears; monitoring illegal trade; camera trapping and sign surveys to understand habitat needs; camera trapping to assess presence in precarious populations; and development of a guide to promote the use of ex-situ sun bears in conservation-related research.

2. Training

In 2019 we held a workshop in Taiwan to develop robust and practical population monitoring methods for threatened Asian bears (5 species, 4 endemic to Asia). Since then we have been working toward publishing a series of papers in a peer-reviewed journal focusing on: (1) the current state of bear monitoring in Asia; (2) review and evaluation of field methods for population monitoring; (3) changes in geographic range as a means of population monitoring; (4) occupancy as a means of population monitoring; (5) review of current and developing methods for estimating abundance and density. Whereas repeated estimates of abundance (density) provide the most direct evidence of population change, it may be unnecessary or unachievable in many cases. Our purpose is to recommend methods that best fit the objectives and the desired power to detect population changes, within budgetary and logistical constraints. Following publication of these papers, the next step is to put the information together iNa highly readable manual for use by practitioners in the field.

3. Trade and human-wildlife conflicts

A major threat to bears in Asia is the trade in gall bladders. Bile is used as a traditional medicine in China and some Southeast Asian countries.  Bears are killed for this lucrative trade.  In some countries, mainly China, bile is also extracted from bears on farms.  Following an IUCN Recommendation (WCC-2012-Rec-139), the Bear Specialist Group has been working with the Chinese government to investigate the complex interactions between legally available bile from farms and demand for wild bile.  A series of peer-reviewed papers are being prepared.

• First paper published. Human–bear conflicts are a growing source of concern around the world, harming both people and bears.  These arise due to a number of factors, including reduction of forested area, reduction of natural bear foods due to forest degradation, changes in human agricultural practices, and expansion of some bear populations.  Conflicts cause people to reduce tolerance and increase killing of bears. Solutions include education and mitigation programs

4. Assessing the species

We are currently exploring better ways of assessing the status of species for future Red Listing, both at the global and population levels. Currently, we rely heavily on expert opinion, but we are moving toward more transparent, objective, and quantitative methods.  We are also working toward Green Status assessments, starting with the giant panda, which due to concerted conservation attention was downlisted from Endangered to Vulnerable in 2016, but requires continued actions to save and create connected suitable habitat.