Free food for everyone: artificial feeding of brown bears provides food for many non-target species

Artificialfeeding of wildlife is a widely used tool for a range of conservation and management goals. While the effects of artificialfeeding on target species have been studied rather extensively, little is known about its effects on non-target species. We used automatic video surveillance to monitor the vertebrate species using artificialfeeding sites (n = 20) established primarily for brown bears ( Ursusarctos) in Dinaric Mountains, Slovenia. We also studied how type of artificialfood (only plant-based food vs. mixed food including carrion) affects the species diversityand assemblage at the feeding sites. In total, we analyzed 117,566 recordings and identified 23 vertebrate taxa, including the brown bear, using the feeding sites. Brown bear, European badger( Meles meles), and red fox ( Vulpes vulpes) were the most frequently recorded species. Birds represented a substantial part (46%) of vertebrate community using the feeding sites, including species of a high conservation importance. Feeding sites were regularly used also by species for which intentional artificialfeeding is forbidden in study area (e.g., roe deer Capreolus capreolus). Species diversityat the feeding sites was highest in spring while species composition varied both seasonally and according to the type of artificialfood (with or without carrion). Our study indicates that artificialfeeding affects numerous non-target species, which could have several ecological and management-relevant effects, including potentially undesired consequences. Artificialfeeding of wildlife should be carefully planned and we provide recommendations on how to mitigate the side effects on non-target species.