Researchers in West Texas are studying how border infrastructure may affect black bear movement, as populations continue to expand across the U.S.-Mexico borderlands.
The Borderlands Research Institute reported that Ph.D. student Caitlin Camp Pappas recently completed her second field season capturing and collaring black bears in southwest Texas. The research aims to evaluate bear movement patterns and determine whether border barriers influence their ability to travel between habitats.
So far, five bears — three females and two males — have been captured and fitted with GPS collars in Val Verde County. Researchers supplemented those data with information from additional border counties, including Presidio, Brewster and Terrell, bringing the total sample to 43 GPS-collared bears.
Preliminary findings show that 10 of the collared bears — eight males and two females — have regularly crossed the international border. Researchers noted that none of the tracked bears have encountered physical border barriers, as these crossings occurred in areas currently limited to surveillance and detection technology.
However, scientists say the findings come as both bear populations and border infrastructure continue to grow, raising questions about future impacts.
Researchers said the ongoing study will provide critical data for land and wildlife managers as development along the border evolves.
