KARINE E. PIGEON

​​What is it About the Terai of Nepal that Favors Sloth Bears
​over Asiatic Black Bears?​
​​
Sloth bear and Asiatic black bear - IBA report.pdf
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International Bear News - Fall 2018.pdf
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Why are there no asiatic black bears in the terai of Nepal? Implications for Sloth Bear Conservation


Picture


​Worldwide, populations of sloth bears (Melursus ursinus) and Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) are declining, and both are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN. Population declines are thought to be the result of rapid habitat loss and degradation, and widespread poaching, but little is known about how these two partially sympatric species affect each other. In the Terai arc region, a lowland strip along the foothills of the Himalayas, there are sections where these two bear species overlap, and sections that outwardly appear similar, where they do not. The reasons why sloth bears and Asiatic black bears appear to coexist in some sections of the Terai arc but not elsewhere are unknown. In addition, where the species overlap, Asiatic black bears seem to be doing comparatively better. Our ultimate goal is to understand habitat preferences and complex ecological interactions between Asiatic black bears and sloth bears, and investigate whether Asiatic black bears could be reducing the viability of sloth bears as habitats are degraded. 


field work in the nepal terai and siwalik hills

(PHOTOS BY: P. BASNET, B. ADHIKARI, R. SHAHI, K. PIGEON)

Project funded by the International Association for Bear Research & Management (IBA) Research & Conservation Grants
international association for bear research & management (IBA)

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  • Home
  • RESEARCH
    • GRIZZLY BEAR >
      • Timing den entry & exit
      • Thermoregulation
      • Den Selection
    • CARIBOU >
      • Human Use - Seismic lines
      • Spatial distribution & a growing human footprint
      • Functional responses
      • Linear features: Non-invasive monitoring
    • SLOTH BEAR
    • Recreation Ecology >
      • Kananaskis-Ghost
      • Upper Columbia
  • GROUNDWORK
    • EDUCATION & AWARDS
    • EXPERIENCE
  • VOLUNTEER WORK
  • PLAY TIME