Threatened Andean bears are negatively affected by human disturbance and free-ranging cattle in a protected area in northwest Peru

Protected areas are vital for wildlife conservation, yet many activities that are detrimental for biodiversity are conducted within their limits. We used camera traps and remotely sensed data to assess the spatial and temporal relationships between cattle and Andean bears (Tremarctos ornatus) in the Laquipampa Wildlife Refuge, a protected area in northwest Peru where cattle grazing is widespread. Between August 2015 and March 2016, we deployed 122 camera traps at 61 stations to measure the effect of cattle on the distribution and activity of Andean bears during the dry and humid seasons. We used generalized linear models to test the effects of cattle, other anthropogenic disturbances, and natural habitat variation on bear occurrence. We also estimated the degree of overlap between daily activity patterns of bears and cattle. We found a negative association between bears and cattle, and between bears and humans and dogs, and found that bears were less likely to use portions of the park closer to towns and farms. Bear responses to human disturbances were stronger than to habitat variation, and their spatial avoidance of cattle was stronger during the dry season. There was high overlap in daily activity patterns between bears and cattle, and bears and humans and dogs, suggesting the potential for interactions where they co-occur. Given the threatened status of Andean bears, and the role of protected areas in their conservation, we highlight the need for effective management of cattle and associated disturbances to protect this ecologically and culturally important carnivore.