Seasonal food habits of brown bear (Ursus arctos syriacus Linnaeus, 1758) in Cenral Alborz Protected Area

Mountains of Central Alborz Protected Area hold a big population of brown bear، the largest varnivore species in Iran. Understanding food habits is crucial to understanding the ecology of the species. Diet influences many ecological and life-history traits، such as spatial distribution، social and foraging behavior، body mass and reproduction. Therefore، during Jun 2006 to May 2007 we had a comprehensive study on brown bear food habits، as the largest omnivorous of the country in Central Alborz Protected Area. Our investigation showed that plant materials composed the main proportion of food items of the brown bears in the spring until mid-summer. Insects، especially ants were predominantly eaten in the first half of summer. As approaching to hibernation period in late autumn، fruits played the main role of bear food items having high fat content. We never witnessed bear attack on wild herbivores. Furthermore، we never found remains of wild herbivores except a few livestock remains in brown bear scats during our survey period. Accordingly، we concluded that brown bears were almost herbivorous in the Central Alborz Protected Area. We never found any bear scats or fresh signs in three consecutive years، between first of December until mid of March. Also، no direct sighting of brown bear was reported to us by local people and game keepers within the mentioned period. Accordingly، it can be concluded that the brown bears hibernate for a period of 3-3. 5 months in winter in the Central Alborz Protected Area.