‘Curious Conversations’ podcast: Marcella Kelly talks about black bears

Marcella Kelly joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about Virginia Tech, her journey into wildlife conservation, and insights on bear populations in Southwest Virginia. She explains the use of genetic sampling to study bear health, the impact of warm winters on their behavior, and how to navigate human-bear interactions.

“Curious Conversations” is available on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube.

Takeaways 

Black bears in Virginia are recovering population-wise, but still face health challenges from mange.

Food availability is the primary driver for hibernation, and a warm winter could cause bears to wake up before their natural diet is readily available. 

Human expansion into bear habitats increases interactions and conflicts, but bears are generally shy and avoid human interaction.

About Kelly

Kelly is a professor in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation. She researches the dynamics and behavior of elusive carnivores, including coyotes, bobcats, black bears in the U.S. and she studies jaguars, ocelots, pumas, tigers, and cheetahs abroad. She uses a combination of non-invasive techniques (remote cameras, genetic sampling) along with more traditional techniques like GPS collaring and newly developed camera collars on wildlife.

Learn more

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On the prowl for big cats in Belize

Bear’s-eye view: Cameras on black bears provide research and outreach opportunities

About the podcast

"Curious Conversations" is a series of free-flowing conversations with Virginia Tech researchers that take place at the intersection of world-class research and everyday life. Produced and hosted by Travis Williams, assistant director of marketing and communications for the Office of Research and Innovation, university researchers share their expertise and motivations as well as the practical applications of their work in a format that more closely resembles chats at a cookout than classroom lectures. New episodes are shared each Tuesday.