Additional records of black bear (Ursus americanus) in central-eastern México

Abstract

The distribution range of the black bear (Ursus americanus) in Mexico showed a significant reduction in the 20th century.\xa0 However, growing evidence of its presence in areas outside the known range of distribution has emerged in recent years.\xa0 This note documents a set of new records of black bear for the States of Guanajuato, Queretaro, and San Luis Potosi in central-eastern Mexico. \xa0Black bears were spotted from monitoring that included camera traps, sightings, and indirect evidence (tracks and depredation events) between the years 2000 and 2019. \xa0We detected the presence of black bear through six records in the States of Guanajuato, Queretaro, and San Luis Potosi, in an area close to the southernmost distribution for this species in the American continent.\xa0 Five of these observations occurred within protected natural areas.\xa0 With these observations, the number of mammal species recorded in the State of Guanajuato increases to 95 and confirm the presence of black bear in the States of Queretaro and San Luis Potosi. \xa0The observations provide evidence supporting the hypothesis that black bear populations from northeastern Mexico are moving toward central-eastern Mexico through the Sierra Madre Oriental (SMO). \xa0The presence of black bear in central-eastern Mexico points to the need for closer systematic monitoring of biodiversity in the SMO and protected areas of the region through monitoring and conservation programs.