Asiatic black bear management plan in Nagano Prefecture, central Japan : a commentary

抄録

The government of Nagano Prefecture, central Japan, financed research in 1992 and 1993 to document Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) ecology, density, and population parameters throughout the prefecture. The prefectural government published the methods and results of this research in 1994, followed by an Asiatic black bear management proposal in 1995. However, most of the research methods used were not adapted to the credible documentation of bear ecology, density, and population parameters. Consequently, most of the results obtained and the management proposal are of dubious value. In Nagano Prefecture, municipal governments are entrusted with the management of the bears within their jurisdictions, limiting input from the prefectural government. Nevertheless, the Nagano prefectural government should not finance flawed bear research nor propose a bear management plan based on such research. A responsible bear management plan should be based on scientifically obtained data. We use existing literature to point out flaws in the research methodology used in the prefecture and to suggest alternative methods. We wish this commentary to be constructive and hope it will encourage sounder bear research in the prefecture and throughout Japan in the future.