Bear necessities: New study highlights importance of water resources for Andean bears
(PHYSorg.com Biology)

A new study is shedding light on the importance of one critical resource for Andean bears living in the dry mountain forests of Peru: water. The study-a collaboration between the Norwegian University of Life Sciences and San Diego Zoo Global, with assistance from the Spectacled Bear Conservation Society-Peru-found that Andean bears focus much of their tree-rubbing behavior on shrubs and trees that are located on trails near water holes. Bears typically bite, claw and rub their body parts on trees, which is believed to be an important form of communication with other bears in the region. The discovery that this behavior occurs near water holes could have implications for future conservation programs.