First successful hand-rearing and release to the wild of two orphan brown bear cubs in Greece

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Published: Jan 29, 2018
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/jhvms.15634
Keywords:
conservation endangered species Greece management rehabilitation Ursus arctos
A. Th. KOMNENOU
Exotic & Wildlife Medicine Unit, Clinic of Companion Animals, Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessalonik
A. A. KARAMANLIDIS
ARCTUROS - Civil Society for the Protection and Management of Wildlife and the Natural Environment; Department of Ecology and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences
G. M. KAZAKOS
Unit of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Clinic of Companion Animals, Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
A. P. KYRIAZIS
Standard Veterinary Clinic
M. AVGERINOU
ARCTUROS - Civil Society for the Protection and Management of Wildlife and the Natural Environment
G. PAPAKOSTAS
ARCTUROS - Civil Society for the Protection and Management of Wildlife and the Natural Environment
K. STEFANIDIS
ARCTUROS - Civil Society for the Protection and Management of Wildlife and the Natural Environment
J. J. BEECHAM
Abstract

The rehabilitation and release of orphan brown bears (Ursus arctos) to the wild is of increasing importance in the conservation and management of the species. In April 2011 two orphan male brown bears were found and rehabilitated for the first time at a dedicated Bear Rehabilitation Centre in Greece. In this case report we describe in detail the veterinary procedures and the feeding regime followed during the 9-month rehabilitation process. For the release on the 23rd of January 2012 the two bears were anaesthetized with a combination of xylazine and ketamine, and satellite collars were placed on them for post-release monitoring. Eight hours later the bears were anaesthetized with the same mixture for a second time, transported and placed into an artificial den in the wild; recovery from anaesthesia took place without complications. Three months later the bears left the den and started moving in the wider area of northwestern Greece. We conclude that rehabilitation and release of orphan bears is an important tool in the management and conservation of this endangered species in Greece.

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