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ibabearbiology.bsky.social
International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA)
@ibabearbiology.bsky.social
160 followers 100 following 210 posts
IBA advances scientific understanding and global conservation of the world’s eight bear species. We envision a world where all eight bear species can thrive and coexist with humans.
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ibabearbiology.bsky.social
Registration for the upcoming IBA Conference in Pescasseroli, Italy is NOW OPEN!

20-25 September, 2026
Pescasseroli, Italy

Register now or learn more at: conference.bearbiology.org

We hope to see you there!

#bearbiology #bearesearch #bearconservation
Brown bear stands at forest edge. Announcing opening of registration for the 29th IBA Conference. Landscape of Central Apennines. Invitation to attend the conference with website to find more information.
November 24, 2025 at 4:16 AM
ibabearbiology.bsky.social
The 2025 IBA Council election opened 18 Nov 2025 and will close 15 Dec 2025.

IBA Members will vote to fill leadership positions for Council. Access the ballot through your membership account or check your email for the link.

Candidate statements:
www.bearbiology.org/about/electi...
Graphic of ballot box with a person placing vote inside. On-screen text shares info about IBA’s council election.
November 21, 2025 at 3:18 PM
ibabearbiology.bsky.social
It’s #PolarBearWeek from November 2-8, 2025.

Sophie Haeubl is a student IBA Member and a Master’s student at the University of Alberta. This past spring she visited Western Hudson Bay to conduct polar bear field work.

Swipe through to see Shopie’s photos & facts from the field. 🐻‍❄️ #polarbear
A polar bear walks across the snowy ground, leaving footprints in its path. Text on screen says “Polar bear week” and “Learn about Western Hudson Bay’s polar bears from IBA Student Member, Sophie Haeubl” A sedated polar bear lies in the snow, while Sophie takes measurements. Text on screen introduces Sophie Photo on top shows Sophie looking at sedated polar bear. Photo on bottom is a close up of the radio transmitter in the ear of the polar bear. Text on screen explains how important ice is for polar bear survival. A polar bear walks across the snowy ground, leaving footprints in its path. Text on screen is a quote from Sophie about her experience doing field work in the arctic.
November 7, 2025 at 1:01 AM
ibabearbiology.bsky.social
It’s Polar Bear Week! 🐻‍❄️

Dr. Martyn Obbard is a long time IBA member whose field work focuses on #PolarBears and Black Bears.

Swipe through the slides to see Marty’s amazing photos from the field, as well as his insights about each one!
@martynobbard.bsky.social

#bearfacts #bearconservation
Polar bear stands with her two cubs on each side of her. Text on screen reads “polar bear week” Polar bear stands with her two cubs on each side of her. Text on screen describes the photo and includes a fact about bears. Male polar bear laying down on the snow. Text on screen shares a fact about males showing scars from fighting over mates.
November 3, 2025 at 1:36 PM
ibabearbiology.bsky.social
Part 12- IBA’s Bear Safety Series
What to do when you see a #bear 🐻

This series is an educational tool for anyone living, travelling, or working in #AmericanBlackBear and #GrizzlyBear territory in North America.

Full video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-zk...

More about bears: bearbiology.org
October 22, 2025 at 7:59 PM
ibabearbiology.bsky.social
Meet Viviana Albarracín Dávalos, IBA Student Council member representing South America!

From student researcher to leader and educator, Viviana’s passion for bears continues to inspire a new generation of conservationists across Latin America and beyond.

www.bearbiology.org/about/council/
Viviana stands on a balcony with a city and mountains in the background. Text reads: “Student Council Spotlight: Viviana Albarracin Davalos”. Viviana conducts field work in the forest. Text on screen introduces her educational background. Viviana stands next to a life sized cardboard Andean bear. Text on screen discusses her work with JUKUMARI. Viviana holds a small white dog in a vest, with a beautiful water and mountain scene in the background. Text explains Viviana’s role on IBA’s student council.
October 21, 2025 at 4:35 PM
ibabearbiology.bsky.social
Part 11- IBA’s Bear Safety Series
Dr. Stephen Herrero’s Research

This series is an educational tool for anyone living, travelling, or working in #AmericanBlackBear and #GrizzlyBear territory in North America.

Full video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-zk...

More about bears: bearbiology.org
October 10, 2025 at 4:28 PM
ibabearbiology.bsky.social
Don’t miss this special screening of BEAR GUARDIANS — a film that follows a father-daughter duo in Cambodia dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned sun and moon bears at Cambodia Bear Sanctuary.
Q&A with wildlife biologists to follow.

More info here: www.explorers.org/calendar-of-...
Image of sun bear clinging to tree with human standing on the other side of tree looking at the bear. Text on screen shares details of the film.
October 9, 2025 at 7:23 PM
ibabearbiology.bsky.social
Join WCB for the 8th Field-Based Training on Advances in Wildlife Research with Special Emphasis on Sloth Bear Conservation in India 🐻

Apply before 30th November 2025

📩 Contact: [email protected] | +91 8320519905 | +91 9998981560

#slothbear #bearconservation #bearresearch #indiawildlife
September 19, 2025 at 4:20 PM
ibabearbiology.bsky.social
Sun bears (Helarctos malayanus) are the smallest bear species, yet have the longest tongue of any bear, stretching up to 46cm!

Learn about #sunbears on IBA’s website: www.bearbiology.org/the-eight-be...

You can donate your bear photos to IBA here: forms.gle/nD6JqLhK58cP...
#bearresearch #bearfacts
sun bear with tongue out and paw raised in the air. Photo by Peter Yuen sun bear lounging on a tree branch. Photo by Siew Te Wong. close up of hind paw of sun bear. Photo by Frank T. van Manen. sun bear hides behind a tree, with head and front paws visible. Photo by Siew Te Wong.
September 17, 2025 at 5:20 PM
ibabearbiology.bsky.social
We are featuring select articles available in IBA’s peer-reviewed journal, URSUS. Mumford et al. “Grizzly bear behavior in south-central Alaska: Use of a hidden Markov model to assess behavior”.

View the full post on our IG & FB pages!

Full article: doi.org/10.2192/URSU...

#bearresearch #grizzly
Image of sedated grizzly bear and person working on bear, with snow on the ground. Includes title of paper, authors, IBA logo & Ursus, 2024 (35e22) Image out an airplane window of the vast landscape in Alaska. Text on screen explains purpose of the study. Map of Alaska with square around study area (Nelchina Basin). Second photo is of human working on sedated bear, holding a GPS collar. Text on screen explains study area & methods. 2025 Ursus cover with text encouraging biologists to publish their work in Ursus.
September 16, 2025 at 11:41 PM
ibabearbiology.bsky.social
Did you know? 🐻‍❄️

Pregnant female polar bears can fast for up to 8 months a year.

Want to learn more about bears? Check out our species pages and explore the fascinating adaptations of all 8 bear species: www.bearbiology.org/the-eight-be...

#bearbiology #bearconservation #polarbear #bearresearch
Polar bear stands on sea ice looking at camera with “did you know?” fact at the bottom. Same image of polar bear with text overlaid describing a pregnant polar bear’s fasting period. References: 1. Messier, F., M.K. Taylor, and M.A. Ramsay. 1994. Denning ecology of polar bears in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Journal of Mammalogy 75:420–430. doi: 10.2307/1382563 2. Ursus maritimus (Polar bear) (webpage). International Association for Bear Research and Management. 3. Rode, K.D., J.D. Reist, E. Peacock, and I. Stirling. 2010. Comments in response to “Estimating the energetic contribution of polar bear (Ursus maritimus) summer diets to the total energy budget” by Dyck and Kebreab (2009). Journal of Mammalogy 91:1517–1523. doi: 10.1644/09-MAMM-A-399.1 4. Rode, K.D., C.T. Robbins, L. Nelson, and S.C. Amstrup. 2015. Can polar bears use terrestrial foods to offset lost ice-based hunting opportunities? Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 13:138–145. doi: 10.1890/140202 5. Stirling, I., and A.E. Derocher. 2012. Effects of climate warming on polar bears: a review of the evidence. Global Change Biology 18:2694–2706. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2486.2012.02753.x 6. Robbins, C.T., C. Lopez-Alfaro, K.D. Rode, Ø. Tøien, and O.L. Nelson. 2012. Hibernation and seasonal fasting in bears: the energetic costs and consequences for polar bears. Journal of Mammalogy 93:1493–1503. doi: 10.1644/11-MAMM-A-406.1 Same image of polar bear with infographic over top, showing a general timeline of a year in a polar bear’s life. References: 1. Messier, F., M.K. Taylor, and M.A. Ramsay. 1994. Denning ecology of polar bears in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Journal of Mammalogy 75:420–430. doi: 10.2307/1382563 2. Ursus maritimus (Polar bear) (webpage). International Association for Bear Research and Management. 3. Rode, K.D., J.D. Reist, E. Peacock, and I. Stirling. 2010. Comments in response to “Estimating the energetic contribution of polar bear (Ursus maritimus) summer diets to the total energy budget” by Dyck and Kebreab (2009). Journal of Mammalogy 91:1517–1523. doi: 10.1644/09-MAMM-A-399.1 4. Rode, K.D., C.T. Robbins, L. Nelson, and S.C. Amstrup. 2015. Can polar bears use terrestrial foods to offset lost ice-based hunting opportunities? Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 13:138–145. doi: 10.1890/140202 5. Stirling, I., and A.E. Derocher. 2012. Effects of climate warming on polar bears: a review of the evidence. Global Change Biology 18:2694–2706. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2486.2012.02753.x 6. Robbins, C.T., C. Lopez-Alfaro, K.D. Rode, Ø. Tøien, and O.L. Nelson. 2012. Hibernation and seasonal fasting in bears: the energetic costs and consequences for polar bears. Journal of Mammalogy 93:1493–1503. doi: 10.1644/11-MAMM-A-406.1
September 10, 2025 at 6:47 PM
ibabearbiology.bsky.social
Part 10- IBA’s Bear Safety Series:
Non-Defensive Encounters

This series is an educational tool for anyone living, travelling, or working in #AmericanBlackBear and #GrizzlyBear territory in North America.

Full video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-zk...

More about #bears : bearbiology.org
#BearSafety
September 8, 2025 at 4:00 PM
ibabearbiology.bsky.social
Did you know? 💭
Sloth bears have several adaptations for a myrmecophagous lifestyle, meaning they eat mostly ants and termites.
Check out our species pages and explore the fascinating adaptations of all 8 bear species: www.bearbiology.org/the-eight-be...
*References in alt-text*
#slothbear
Close-up image of a sloth bear’s face with “did you know?” fact at the bottom. Same image of sloth bear with text overlaid, describing the sloth bear’s adaptations. References: 1. Servheen, C., S. Herrero, and B. Peyton. 1999. Bears: Status survey and conservation action plan. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. 2. Mewada, T., and N. Dharaiya. 2010. Seasonal dietary composition of sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) in the reserve forest of Vijaynagar, north Gujarat, India. Tigerpaper 37(2):8–13 3. Swenson. J. E., A. Jansson, R. Riig, and F. Sandegren. 1999. Bear and ants: myrmecophagy by brown bears in central Scandinavia. Canadian Journal of Zoology 77:551–561. doi: 10.1139/z99-004 4. Davidar, E.R.C. 1983. Sloth bear’s (Melursus ursinus) method of hunting for termite nests. Journal of Bombay Natural History Society 80:637. 5. Melursus ursinus (Sloth bear) (webpage). International Association for Bear Research and Management.
September 7, 2025 at 5:04 PM
ibabearbiology.bsky.social
The Summer Issue of International Bear News is here! 🐻

Explore the latest issue of IBN, featuring new bear research, conservation updates, recent literature, upcoming events, & more from our global bear community.

Download IBN now to read this story and more! www.bearbiology.org/publications...
Polar bear swimming underwater with bubbles coming out of its nose. On-screen text introduces the article “Polar Bear Breakthroughs: The role of Zoos in Conservation” Polar bear provides paw for blood draw in zoo setting; on-screen text gives a short article summary. Polar bear in the wild walks along the sea ice, with on-screen text explaining the new Polar Bear Research Masterplan.
September 1, 2025 at 4:50 PM
ibabearbiology.bsky.social
Part 9- IBA’s Bear Safety Series
Defensive Bear Encounters

This series is an educational tool for anyone living, travelling, or working in #AmericanBlackBear and #GrizzlyBear territory in North America.

Full video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-zk...

More about #bears : bearbiology.org
#BearSafety
August 26, 2025 at 6:34 PM
ibabearbiology.bsky.social
The 29th IBA Conference will be held in Pescasseroli, Italy, in the Central Apennines from September 20–25, 2026.

Stay tuned for updates on registration and additional information as the conference approaches.

Read the full press release here: www.bearbiology.org/wp-content/u...

#bearconservation
Brown bear basking in the sun on a rocky hill. Text on screen includes date and location of IBA Conference, with logos of organizations involved.
August 25, 2025 at 6:40 PM
ibabearbiology.bsky.social
The Summer Issue of International Bear News is here! 🐻

Explore the latest issue of IBN, featuring new bear research, conservation updates, recent literature, upcoming events, & more from our global bear community.

Download IBN now to read this story and more! www.bearbiology.org/publications...
Person points at a tall, rocky ancient dam in Iran. On-screen text introduces the article “How is ancient dam restoration in Iran helping critically endangered black bears?” Person looks at a stone sediment-trap dam; on-screen text gives a short article summary. Person stands beneath dead date palm trees, with on-screen text noting that restoring dams helps save this vital bear food source.
August 24, 2025 at 5:17 PM
ibabearbiology.bsky.social
The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) is accepting registrations for their 2025 Council Meeting: "Navigating the Evolving Science Policy Landscape with Resilience," on September 9, 2025, from 12-2 p.m. ET.

Register now: aibs.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
plant grows through a sidewalk crack. Text on screen reads “navigating the evolving science policy landscape with resilience” along with event details.
August 19, 2025 at 9:55 PM
ibabearbiology.bsky.social
Part 8- IBA’s Bear Safety Series:
Bear Stress Response & Behavior

This series is an educational tool for anyone living, travelling, or working in #AmericanBlackBear and #GrizzlyBear territory in North America.

Full video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-zk...

More about #bears : bearbiology.org
August 18, 2025 at 5:54 PM
ibabearbiology.bsky.social
🐻 We are introducing some of our dedicated IBA members, spanning the globe and working to protect and conserve all 8 bear species. 🌍

You can help support their vital work by donating to the IBA today.

bearbiology.org

#bearresearch #bearconservation #bearbiology #savebears
August 13, 2025 at 6:55 PM
ibabearbiology.bsky.social
We are featuring select articles available in IBA’s peer-reviewed journal, URSUS.
McGeachy et al. “Possible sexually selected infanticide by polar bears in western Hudson Bay”.

Full post on our IG & FB pages!

Full article: doi.org/10.2192/URSU...

IBA Members get access to all URSUS articles.
1. Close up image of polar bear, with title of paper, authors, IBA logo & Ursus, 2024 (35e20). 2. Aerial image of polar bear walking on snow. Text on screen defines Infanticide. 3. Image of polar bear cub. Text on screen explains criteria for sexually selected infanticide (SSI) among polar bears. Image of two polar bear cubs snuggled up, looking at camera. Text on screen summarizes the paper and findings.
August 5, 2025 at 8:32 PM
ibabearbiology.bsky.social
Part 7-IBA’s Bear Safety Series
Hierarchy & bear-bear interactions

This series is an educational tool for anyone living, travelling, or working in #AmericanBlackBear and #GrizzlyBear territory in North America.

Full video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-zk...

bearbiology.org

#BearSafety
August 4, 2025 at 4:13 PM
ibabearbiology.bsky.social
There are passionate students, researchers, and conservationists around the world who want to be part of IBA, but financial barriers can make it difficult to join a professional society.

Contact Jennapher: [email protected]
(Use subject line “Gifting Membership”)
IBA member Rishi Baral poses for the camera on a mountainous landscape while holding a banner with IBA’s logo. Text on screen says: “gift a yearly IBA membership” Two smiling people install a camera trap on a small tree. Text on screen describes the meaningful impact of IBA’s gifting membership program. A sloth bear crosses a dirt road. Text describes benefits of an IBA membership. Collage of IBA members working in the field and a group photo from the IBA Conference. Text on screen encourages readers to ask about our gifting membership program.
August 3, 2025 at 4:55 PM
ibabearbiology.bsky.social
Part 6-IBA’s #BearSafety Series
Grizzly vs. Black bear distribution & characteristics

This series is an educational tool for anyone living, travelling, or working in #AmericanBlackBear and #GrizzlyBear territory in North America.

Full video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-zk...

🐻 bearbiology.org
July 30, 2025 at 2:25 PM