Brown bear (Ursus arctos) attacks resulting in human casualties in Scandinavia 1977–2016; management implications and recommendations

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0196876
• Publication Date: 2018-05-23T17:35:26Z
• Authors: Ole-Gunnar Støen; Andrés Ordiz; Veronica Sahlén; Jon M. Arnemo; Solve Sæbø; Glenn Mattsing; Magnus Kristofferson; Sven Brunberg; Jonas Kindberg; Jon E. Swenson
• Keywords: Carnivore; Grizzly Bears; Human–wildlife conflict

Human persecution and habitat loss have endangered large carnivore populations worldwide, but some are recovering, exacerbating old conflicts. Carnivores can injure kill people; the most dramatic form of wildlife-human conflict. In Scandinavia, brown bear (Ursus arctos) population increased from ~500 bears in 1977 to ~3300 2008, with an increase injuries, fatalities, public fear attacks. We reviewed media coverage interviewed victims explore how trends, hunter education, other factors may influenced number injuries fatalities Scandinavia 2016. found 42 incidents 2 fatalities; were adult men, one was woman conducting forestry work, a boy skiing off-piste. Thirty-three men hunting bears, moose, or small game, often dog, 26 had shot at 8±11 m before injury. Eleven nonhunters inspecting area, picking berries, tending livestock, hiking, harassing denned bear, person killed outside his house night. Eight 11 involved female cubs; three these family groups dens two on carcasses. The annual hunters injured/killed mostly by size. pattern similar regarding injuries/fatalities outdoor users, relation size weaker than for hunters, null model equally supported. Bear physiology denning make encounters more risky fall, when show prehibernation behavior. Awareness education efforts, especially among seem important ensure human safety. Recreationists workers should avoid dense vegetation noise warn their presence.