Genetically Altered Bears Adapt to Human Presence

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A team of researchers, including Carolyn Mahan from Penn State Altoona, has found that critically endangered Apennine brown bears in central Italy have significantly reduced genetic diversity compared to other bear populations around the world. The researchers theorize that this genetic change is the result of human-induced selection, where bears that are less aggressive are more likely to survive and pass down their genes, allowing the bears to coexist with humans over millennia.

Why it matters

The findings suggest that even small, isolated populations of large mammals can adapt their behavior and genetics to live alongside humans over long periods of time. This has important implications for conservation efforts, as it shows that certain species may be able to persist in human-dominated landscapes if the right conditions are met.

The details

The research team, which included members from universities in Italy, France, Brazil, Slovakia, and the United States, analyzed the genetic diversity of the Apennine brown bears. They found that these bears have significantly less genetic diversity compared to other bear populations globally. The researchers believe this is due to human-induced selection, where bears that are less aggressive and more tolerant of human presence are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on those traits to future generations. This has allowed the Apennine brown bears to coexist with humans in the region for thousands of years.

• The research paper was published in Molecular Biology and Evolution in 2026.