Using signs to Document the Distribution ‎of Brown Bear, Ursus arctos (Linneaus, ‎‎1758), Kind of Damages and Conflict ‎with Humans in Fars Province, Southern ‎Iran

Brown bear (Ursus arctos) is the largest carnivore of Iran with a holarctic distribution in Europe, Asia, and North America. In Iran, its distribution is restricted to the mountain forest areas of Alborz and Zagros and Fars province is on the southernmost distribution boundary for this species worldwide. Iran's brown bears recognized as U. a. syriacus, which has discrete populations at high risk, and there is a critical lack of knowledge concerning different aspects of its biology. This research was carried out in order to identify its distribution pattern and conservation planning for four years in Fars province. As direct observation of brown bears is difficult due to its nocturnal activity, signs are usually used in such researches. A total of 170 signs of this species were recorded in Fars province. The most signs are traces (about 48%) and scat (about 20%). Investigation of the signs and the mapping of the species in Fars province using ArcGIS 10.3 showed that the highest presence of this species belongs to Mountains areas of Marvdasht (32.54%) and Sepidan (31.95%) in the northern parts of the province with a height range of 1600 to more than 2800 meters above sea level. Based on the obtained results it can be concluded that brown bear faces conflict with humans by attack on humans, domestic livestock, honey hives, fish farms and agricultural products in the province.