Paternity Determination Using DNA Fingerprinting in Captive Japanese Black Bears (Ursus thibetanus japonicus)

We examined the availability of DNA fingerprinting in paternity determination of the captive Japanese black bear, Ursus thibetanus japonicus. The DNA fingerprint using the restriction enzyme Hinf I and (GATA)4 probe was available for individual identification and paternity determination. Eleven females and their 13 cubs born from 1995 to 1997 along with 22 males were tested in the paternity determination. Seven male bears were determined as putative fathers of the 13 cubs. Two males in particular were the putative fathers of 8 cubs. Our study suggests that, under captive conditions, some male bears achieved higher reproductive success, even though the females had the opportunity to breed with many males.