Himalayan Black Bear

Himalayan Black Bear Latest News

Recently, wildlife experts in Uttarakhand raised concern that Himalayan Black bears (Ursus thibetanus laniger) are turning aggressive as erratic weather disrupts their hibernation patterns.

About Himalayan Black Bear

• It is a subspecies of the Asian black bear.
• It is a large forest-dwelling bear of the Himalayas, also called Asiatic black bear or Moon bear.

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Distribution of Himalayan Black Bear

• They are mainly found  in the Himalayas, in Tibet, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and China.
• In India, they are found throughout the Himalayas, from Jammu & Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh, and in hilly regions of other north- eastern states.
• Habitat: It prefers heavily forested, broadleaved, and coniferous forests as habitat.

Characteristics of Himalayan Black Bear

• Appearance: It has soft and shiny hair, with a white V patch on their chest. 
• Life span: 25 to 30 years in the wild.
• Diet: They are omnivorous creatures Their diet consists of acorns, nuts, fruit, honey, roots, and various insects such as termites and beetle larvae.
• Behaviour: It is naturally diurnal but many are largely nocturnal in order to avoid contact with humans.
• Conservation Status: IUCN: Vulnerable

Source: NIE