Indicios indirectos de la presencia del oso andino (Tremarctos ornatus Cuvier, 1825) en el noroeste de Argentina

Resumen

Indirect evidence on the presence of the Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus Cuvier, 1825)
in northwestern Argentina. The presence of Andean bears (Tremarctos ornatus) in Argentina has been
disputed due to the absence of confirming evidence. Many Andean bear experts currently doubt on their presence
in this country. Nevertheless, the Tucuman-Bolivian Forest or Yungas is a typical ecosystem where this species
can be found, particularly in the studied area, in which the habitat appears to be of high quality for bears.
Between 2001 and 2006, 23 cases of evidence on the presence of Andean bears in the provinces of Salta and
Jujuy were recorded. Footprints, food remains and scats were found. In addition, natives, farmers, and hunters
where interviewed to collect new data of this species. The conclusion is that the Yungas Forest of northwestern
Argentina must be considered an area with high probability of maintaining a resident population of Andean
bears. Although this is probably a small and perhaps isolated population, the permanent presence of Andean
bears in northwestern Argentina might not longer be doubted.