Big Bend Wildlife Sightings Report

[01ACRViper]

thanks for posting, i always forget to look until you post them here 

[xseption]

thanks for the post. I didn't know that there were wildlife sighting reports

I am guessing there is a lot I don't know ...

[chisos_muse]

thanks for the post. I didn't know that there were wildlife sighting reports

I am guessing there is a lot I don't know ...

You have no idea.....

[xseption]

It seems that the more I learn, the more I realize that my "vast" knowledge is not vast at all ...

[Ray52]

I saw the cougar sitings posted at Chisos Basin while I was there last week and have to wonder about the 2AM sighting at NE4.  I wish I knew more about the circumstances.  For me there surely wouldn't have been anymore sleep that night!

[BigBendHiker]

The NPS website:

http://www.nps.gov/bibe/naturescience/upload/sightings-122007.pdf

[SHANEA]

Thanks for the update.

It's really hard to figure out the individual numbers.  I  if NPS has tracking devices on the animals? 

Where is that math major when we need him?  Should be able to run a statistical analysis based on data available for the last x months.  Then, find out the "normal" operating range of bears and lions.  Then, statistically compute the probable number of individual bears and mountains lions.   

I don't know if it would be safe to say -
2 mountain lions "around the basin area"
1 mountain lion on the Maverick road (probably the same one ... just before Santa Elena Canyon".  Might even be the same mountain lion over at Ross maxwell. 
OR - could be another one from Black Dike over to Santa Elena???

At least 2 bears - one down by the river and one up in the Cheetos.     

I'll wait for the X-man to gather all the information and put it in a statistical format, devise the formulas, plot it out, and report back.  I want an 90% confidence level.  Apply Chebyshev’s Theorem, since we don't know if it's a normal distribution or not.

[xseption]

I'll wait for the X-man to gather all the information and put it in a statistical format, devise the formulas, plot it out, and report back.  I want an 90% confidence level.  Apply Chebyshev’s Theorem, since we don't know if it's a normal distribution or not.

Most confidence intervals are based on the normal distribution or some symmetric distribution. Else, we must needs to bootstrap the data especially since it's probably a dataset with few numbers. Of course, I might find some non-parametric AOV which might do the trick, but since the data has months as a variable, then a time-series component might be appropriate, yes?

=:)

[SHANEA]

I'll wait for the X-man to gather all the information and put it in a statistical format, devise the formulas, plot it out, and report back.  I want an 90% confidence level.  Apply Chebyshev’s Theorem, since we don't know if it's a normal distribution or not.

Most confidence intervals are based on the normal distribution or some symmetric distribution. Else, we must needs to bootstrap the data especially since it's probably a dataset with few numbers. Of course, I might find some non-parametric AOV which might do the trick, but since the data has months as a variable, then a time-series component might be appropriate, yes?

=:)

I had not thought of the time series impact on the data, especially the "time of year" will determine the range of movement of the animals, etc.  I would put forth a hypothesis that during the dry/summer months the range extends significantly.  Also, when a momma bares children, then their range is decreased.  I haven't seen any reports of cubs this year like last year.    My initial thought was just to run through all the available data and group it by a zone approach for sighting.  You certainly would have to build in some non-parametric analysis of variance into the equation variable. 

I wonder how many of these sightings resulted in a picture being taken?  It would sure be nice if the lucky ones that got pics would post them.

[TheWildWestGuy]

You eggheads have got it all wrong with your statistical approach.  Here is what an old Texan can tell you.
- fewer bear sightings in the winter because many of them are hibernating
- no cub sightings until March or April because they are in their winter dens being born
- bear sightings near the River are probably Mexican bears headed for a new life in the Chisos and are therefore entering the country illegally.   We should catch them, fine them, and deport them back where they came from.   Quick before they commit crimes or take jobs away from our American bears.
- Mtn Lion ranges probably extend way down into the desert during the cooler winter months.
There you go.. TWWG

[jr ranger]

Actually, I am not a mammalogist, but I do believe that the black bears in Big Bend do not hibernate. They may slow down a bit because of the scarcity of food is all. It just doesn't get cold enough for a full hibernation. And surprisingly enough, Ro Wauer wrote in his wonderful book "For All Seasons", that the lion kittens are born in May.

I do agree with you, Mr. West, on your other points about the bears coming over illegally and taking all of the bear jobs though, such a tragedy. 

[SHANEA]

Actually, I am not a mammalogist, but I do believe that the black bears in Big Bend do not hibernate. They may slow down a bit because of the scarcity of food is all. It just doesn't get cold enough for a full hibernation. And surprisingly enough, Ro Wauer wrote in his wonderful book "For All Seasons", that the lion kittens are born in May.

I do agree with you, Mr. West, on your other points about the bears coming over illegally and taking all of the bear jobs though, such a tragedy. 

Jr. Ranger, you are well versed.  You may not be a mammalogist, but are 100% correct in that the bears of Big Bend and the southern portions of North America do not hibernate due to the reasons you stated.

But, careful about those illegal bears coming into the US, DHS Bear Patrol Division (BPD) will probably want to build a wall to prevent it.  Of course, if they would just open up a check point Charlie at La Linda, Boquillias, and Santa Elena - then the bears could pass legally.  I believe I read that all US bears are being requited to have BP's - Bear Passports.  Of course, when they open up the borders to bears, then we will be able to pass also.

[homerboy2u]

What an interesting read... . Especially about a mamalogist of some sort.

  Maybe them bears, while not hybernating due to the excess beer left over at the park bar (Boquillas) could be willing to roar at the boquillas canyon for some Sotol sticks and sell them off....Go fiigure.

  Say, Jr. Ranger...looks like you are very well learned...care to share your school background with us?

 La Linda,  is on the right track , once again...good news for the Mexican Bears?

[jr ranger]

What an interesting read... . Especially about a mamalogist of some sort.

  Maybe them bears, while not hybernating due to the excess beer left over at the park bar (Boquillas) could be willing to roar at the boquillas canyon for some Sotol sticks and sell them off....Go fiigure.

  Say, Jr. Ranger...looks like you are very well learned...care to share your school background with us? Sure, I graduated high school in my blue collar American hometown.  

 La Linda,  is on the right track , once again...good news for the Mexican Bears?

[bdann]

Perhaps the DHS could implement some sort of "Guest Bear worker" program, so these Mexican bears can come over and work legally.  Of course, we forget that our American bears were once Mexican immigrants themselves and without them, we wouldn't have any bears to put in the wildlife sightings report!