Wildlife experts in Uttarakhand have recently expressed concern over the growing aggressiveness of Himalayan Black Bears (Ursus thibetanus laniger). The unusual behaviour is being linked to erratic weather conditions disrupting their natural hibernation cycles, causing increased human-animal conflict in forested regions.
The Himalayan Black Bear is a subspecies of the Asian Black Bear and is commonly known as the Asiatic Black Bear or Moon Bear. It is a large, forest-dwelling mammal native to the Himalayan range and is well adapted to both temperate and subalpine environments.
The species is found across the Himalayas — in Tibet, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and China. Within India, it inhabits the Himalayan belt from Jammu & Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh, and extends to the hilly regions of the northeastern states.
Himalayan Black Bears prefer densely forested areas, particularly broadleaved and coniferous forests. They rely on thick vegetation for food, shelter, and hibernation dens.
Appearance: These bears have soft, shiny black fur with a distinctive white V-shaped patch on their chest.
Life Span: They typically live for about 25 to 30 years in the wild.
Diet: Being omnivorous, their diet includes acorns, nuts, fruits, honey, roots, and insects such as termites and beetle larvae.
Behaviour: Although generally diurnal, many Himalayan Black Bears have become nocturnal to minimize encounters with humans. Disturbances in their hibernation due to changing weather patterns are believed to cause stress and aggression.
IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
National Institute of Ecology (NIE)
Q1: What is the conservation status of the Himalayan Black Bear?
Ans: Vulnerable
Q2: What is distinctive about the Himalayan Black Bear’s appearance?
Ans: It has a white V-shaped patch on its chest.
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