Ursus thibetanus (G. (Baron) Cuvier 1823)

Common Names

Himalayan Black Bear (English); Kalo Bhalu (Nepali)

Species Description

Large bear. Short black fur, which is much shorter than that of the Sloth Bear, similar cream patch on chest.

Species Ecology

The Himalayan Black Bear occurs in dense, mixed broadleaf forests and steep forest hills, using rock caves and tree hollows as shelter. The estimated

available area of suitable habitat for this species has declined by approximately 30% over the past 10 years.

Age at first reproduction is between four to five years, producing litters of one or two cubs every other year. Maximum lifespan is over 30 years, but average lifespan is less in the wild.

Conservation Status

Global: Vulnerable A2cd+3d+4d

National: Endangered C2a(i)

Rationale for assessment: The Himalayan Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus) has been nationally assessed as Endangered under criterion C in view of a small estimated population size of approximately 500 individuals which is observed to be decreasing and is likely to suffer further declines in the future due to habitat loss and fragmentation caused by human encroachment, livestock grazing and deforestation, decreasing natural prey base, poaching for body parts and retaliatory killings in response to human-wildlife conflict. This species does occur within the neighbouring countries of China and India, however a patchy distribution across its range and discontinuous habitat suggest it is unlikely that there is significant movement, if any, between these areas and Nepal, although further research needs to confirm this.

Legal Status

CITES Appendix I

National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 2029 (1973). This species occurs within protected areas.

National Population Size

Total: 500 (estimated)

Trend: Decreasing (estimated, observed)

The population is estimated to consist of 500 individuals. This species is considered uncommon despite its broad distribution, and the population is observed to be in decline.

National Distribution

The Himalayan Black Bear occurs across the mid-hills and within all of the Himalayan Protected Areas (Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, Makalu-Barun,

Sagarmatha, Langtang, Shivapuri Nagarjun, Shey-Phoksundo, Rara and Khaptad National Parks, and Annapurna and Manaslu Conservation Areas, and Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve) and from the districts of Dhading, Surkhet, Dailekh, Dadeldhura, Doti, Bajura, Rukum and Myagdi. Although it is considered to occur mainly between elevations of 1,400 m to 4,000 m, it was recorded in Bardia National Park, Babai Valley in a 1999 camera trap.

Distribution outside Nepal

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Democratic People?s Republic of Korea, Republic of Korea, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Taiwan, Province of China, Thailand, Viet Nam.

Main Threats

• Poaching for trade in body parts.

• Habitat loss and fragmentation due to human settlements, clearing for agriculture and livestock grazing, collection of firewood.

• Human-wildlife conflict and retaliatory killings.

Conservation Measures in Place

None.

Conservation Recommendations

i) Undertake surveys of Himalayan Black Bear using camera traps, radio collaring and indirect sign surveys in all areas of suitable habitat both within and outside protected areas to establish baseline data on distribution and population status.

ii) Enhance law enforcement inside and out of protected areas to reduce poaching and illegal wildlife trade of bear parts (paws, skins, bile);

implement community-based anti-poaching units in conservation areas, buffer zones and community forests.

iii) Create community-based night vigilance with local people and provide training in effective methods of preventing crop raiding from bears and other wild animals in areas of highest risk.

iv) Initiate Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation led coordination of conservation measures with local people and related organisations; control trade by creating a network with Nepal Police, Nepal Army, youth clubs, NGOs, representatives of local people and conservation committee members.

v) Prevent retaliatory killing by mitigating human-bear conflict and introducing non fatal methods of deterrent and increasing awareness.

vi) Provide compensation and support to the bear victims to reduce negative attitudes and retaliatory killings. The Government of Nepal has recently finalised regulations for compensation schemes to wildlife victims.

vii) Raise awareness through community-based conservation education programmes especially within conservation areas, buffer zones and community forests, which support the local people and their livelihoods and help reduce human-bear conflict.viii) Develop management plan to improve /maintain areas of prime habitat in community forests and buffer zones.

References

Suwal and Verheugt 1995, Stubblefield and Shrestha 2007, Baral and Shah 2008, Garshelis and Steinmetz 2008, Bhupendra Prasad Yadav (pers. comm.) 2010, Nepal Red List of Mammals Technicians Workshop 2010.