By John Goodrich, Ph.D. Chief Scientist
©JOHN GOODRICH/PANTHERA
Witness the intricate predator dynamics in the snowy landscapes of northeast Asia, home to both formidable tigers and bears.
My journey into understanding the complex relationship between tigers and bears began decades ago in the snowy expanses of northeast Asia. I was tracking Dima, a massive male tiger we had collared. He was truly the largest tiger captured during two decades of research in the region. This magnificent animal, weighing 455 lbs, boasted a head circumference exceeding my waist and a tail base as thick as my thigh. Dima had been roaming near areas with gardens and grazing cattle, prompting me to monitor his movements and potential conflicts. However, what I discovered that day profoundly shifted my understanding of predator interactions.
Following Dima’s tracks through the melting spring snow, I observed his casual meander through an oak forest. Then, abruptly, as he neared a steep embankment, his tracks tightened, signaling a stalk. Peering over the edge, I was astonished. Below lay a large brown bear sow, partially consumed.
©JOHN GOODRICH A close-up view of a brown bear in Kamchatka, highlighting the size and power of these creatures often encountered by tigers.
Descending to examine the carcass, I immediately noticed a single, bloody puncture wound in her neck – a clear entry point. The bear’s tracks indicated a casual stroll along the embankment’s base, followed by a sudden collapse, devoid of the struggle expected from a tiger-bear confrontation of this scale. Initially, I suspected a hunter, but the absence of a claimed prize puzzled me. Upon turning the bear over, I discovered two more entry wounds! My initial hypothesis shattered. Dima hadn’t scavenged; he had ambushed the bear, delivering a fatal bite to the nape of her neck before she could react. His broken canine tooth explained the multiple entry points from a single bite. The sheer power and precision were breathtaking. After collecting samples, I left, hoping Dima would return, which he did, taking days to consume the massive meal.
©JOHN GOODRICH/PANTHERA A Siberian tiger in its woodland habitat, showcasing the stealth and power that allows them to hunt large prey, including bears.
Intrigued, I delved into local research and consulted colleagues. Numerous accounts confirmed tiger predation on both brown bears and Asiatic black bears. Yet, the relationship was far from simple; reports also surfaced of bears killing tigers. Years of tracking both species revealed a complex dynamic. Massive brown bears, some reaching 800 lbs in our study area, were known to steal kills from tigers and even track them. (Encounters with these giants while searching for tiger kills are tales for another time!). One snow-tracked narrative depicted a tigress and bear reluctantly sharing a red deer kill. Tracks suggested posturing and intimidation but no actual combat. It seemed a pattern: a satiated tiger could be driven off by a hungry bear, but a full bear would yield to a returning, hungry tigress. My colleague Ivan once recounted a tigress spending a day trying, and failing, to extract a black bear with cubs from her winter den. This intricate interplay highlights the delicate balance in their shared environment.
©JOHN GOODRICH/PANTHERA A tiger captured in the snow, illustrating the challenging conditions and the resilience of these apex predators in their northern range.
Dima went on to kill several more bears during our tracking period, though not always with the initial efficiency. His subsequent bear kill, another brown bear sow, was a scene of brutal struggle. Flattened vegetation marked a violent battleground. Small trees were snapped, and blood splattered the remaining foliage. Dima remained for four days, fully consuming the bear. Why risk such confrontations? Bears are formidable adversaries, armed with powerful teeth and claws. Wouldn’t deer be a safer option? While the precise motivation remains speculative, I believe bear predation served a dual purpose beyond sustenance. Likely, Dima was eliminating competition – animals capable of killing his cubs or stealing kills from his three resident tigresses. This strategic predation could be viewed as a brutal, yet vital, aspect of maintaining dominance and ensuring reproductive success in a competitive landscape.
©JOHN GOODRICH/PANTHERA A tiger looking upwards, perhaps contemplating its next move in the ongoing ecological chess game with other predators like bears.
Understanding these intricate predator relationships is crucial for effective conservation. For tiger recovery efforts, what are the implications of bears usurping tiger kills? Could reduced energy intake jeopardize tiger and cub survival? Conversely, what impact do tigers have on bear and wolf populations? Amur tigers have rebounded from a mere 40 individuals roughly 75 years ago to approximately 400 today. However, during this period, the local wolf population has drastically declined, likely due to tiger-induced displacement and predation. We must avoid inadvertently causing another species’ decline while recovering tigers. While wolves and bears are widespread across Eurasia, the situation is more delicate in the southern region where the world’s remaining 40 Amur leopards coexist with tigers. Indeed, we documented a tiger killing a leopard in our work there. Research in India indicates potentially significant tiger impacts on leopard populations and behavior – a topic for a future discussion. But in the snow-laden forests of Asia’s far north, I witnessed firsthand the dynamic interaction – almost a “Bear Sex Dance” in the ecological sense of complex interplay – between these massive predators. It was a dance of death, sustenance, and struggle, offering profound insights. This understanding deepens our commitment to protecting not just tigers, but the entire intricate web of life.
Learn more about tigers.
Tags: Tiger, Tiger Program, Tiger Promise, Asia, Leopard
