Sloth Bear Conservation in CNP Project funded under: Presented by: - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Sloth Bear Conservation in CNP Project funded under: Presented by: N.P. Gautam (PI) and B. R. Lamchhane (Conservation Officer 2011 NTNC, BCC, Chitwan)

Background – Mammals in Nepal Particulars Number Total mammal species 208 Threatened 56 Protected 27 Data deficit 79

BIO-DIVERSITY of Chitwan  More than 40 lakes  Three major river system (Reu, Rapti and Narayani)  Variety of forest and Grassland types Taxa Nepal Chitwan % Mammals 208 68 37 Birds 869 544 61 Amphibians and Reptiles 143 49 34 Fish 185 120 65

Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) • IUCN red list  Globally – vulnerable  Nationally - endangered • CITES – Appendix-1 • One of the three bear species found in Nepal (Himalayan black bear, Brown bear and Sloth bear)

Distribution in world 1. Nepal 2. India 3. Sri Lanka 4. Bangladesh and 5. Bhutan

Distribution in Nepal 8 districts of Terai & Siwaliks (map) Bardia NP, Chitwan NP, Parsa WR, Bara, Banke, Kailali and Dang. extirpated in Suklaphanta WR (1994)

Population • Global population: 10- 20,000 • National Population: < 1000 ( National red list) • Population in CNP : 200- 250 (Joshi, 1994)

Chitwan- Occupancy survey 2008-9

Occupancy results Habitat No of signs recorded Streamline/riverbed 29 Sal forest 197 Grassland 20 Riverine forest 35 Mixed forest 46 Other 15 Total 342

Camera trap 2010

Camera trapping locations Particulars Number Total camera locations 310 Locations where sloth bears has captured 44 Total independent captures 75

Habitat and food • Sloth Bears occur in a wide variety of habitats ranging from grasslands, thorn scrub, sal forest, moist evergreen forest and riverine forest. • The main food sources for this species are termites, honey, berries, roots, carrion, insects and fruit.

Ecology Home range: 10 – 15 Km ² Life span: 40 years Gestation: 7 months Litter size: 1 – 2 cubs

Conservation threats • Human-bear conflict  Injuries – 6 (2009), 9 (2010)  Livestock – 1 (2010) • Habitat loss/degradation • Poaching (esp. for bile) • Bear baiting (trapping for entertainment purposes – dancing)

Way forward • Assessment of status and distribution • Conservation awareness • Enhanced law enforcements • Translocation of species from high occupancy areas

Acknowledgement: Naresh Subedi –NTNC, BCC Chitwan Nepal Baburam Lamichhane - NTNC, BCC Chitwan Nepal DNPWC Kathmandu WWF-Nepal CNP Kasara, Nepal All respondents of the survey Rufford

Thank you