[Travis McGee]

I assume it’s the same as with lions. Horny boar bears won’t get laid as long as momma bears are lactating and caring for cubs.

[lump in the melting pot]

The behavior makes sense from a genetic standpoint, but only up to a point. Given their large territories, 25% of cubs killed means these boars are probably often killing their own offspring?

[marktwain]

Some is, but primarily it appears to be predation and territorial defense/protection.

From my reading, it is a mix of all of the above, with predation tops, then some benefit from females coming into estrus, and territorial mixed in.

Trying to get into a bears' minds to sort it all out is beyond human research.