Taxon name
Ursus thibetanus
Cuvier, 1823
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Ursus thibetanus
Cuvier, 1823
Common name(s)
Asiatic Black Bear, Himalayan Black Bear, Moon Bear, Tibetan Black Bear, Kalo Bhalluk, Bhalu, Bhaluk, Bhalluk
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Species authority
Cuvier, 1823
Taxonomic notes and synonyms listed
The species was found based on specimens collected from Syhet District and named as Selenarctos thibetanus G. Cuvier, 1823. Of the three subspecies recognized Selenarctos thibetanus thibetanus G. Cuvier, 1823 occurs in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and
Ursus torquatus Wagner, 1841; Helarctos tibetanus Adam, 1858; Selenarctos thibetanus G. Cuvier, 1823
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
Bangladesh
Scope (of the Assessment)
National
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Assessed as
Least Concern
Criteria system used
IUCN
(see Assessment details)
Assessment rationale/justification
There is no exact data on population size reduction but due to continuing extreme threats and known presence of just a handful of specimens in disjunct populations and the population has been reducing drastically and it is suspected that more than 80% population has been declined. Thus, this species has been categorized as Critically Endangered.
Assessment details
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
Habibon Naher
Criteria system used
IUCN
Reference for methods given
IUCN (2012) IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1. Second edition. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iv + 32pp; IUCN (2012) Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.
URL (link) of redlist assessment or publication
http://iucnredlistbd.org/
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
This bear is found in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Iran, Japan, Korea, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Taiwan, Thailand and Viet Nam (Garshelis and Steinmetz 2008). Mixed evergreen forest of northeast and southeast including bamboo clusters and tea gardens under the Chittagong and Sylhet Revenue Divisions. The population from the moist deciduous Sal forests of Greater Mymensingh and Sylhet Districts has disappeared completely (Khan 1985, 1987).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes, in the publication/on website
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
This species inhabits mixed evergreen forests and bamboo thickets in the hilly regions. It is terrestrial, usually nocturnal and solitary, during day time they hide inside den or caves, thickets, bushes, and tree holes. This bear is omnivorous; feeds on plant parts, insects, small mammals, birds, honey bee, honey, carrion, fruits, nuts, berries, etc. (Prater 1971). Breeds during May to August and gives birth during January-February. Usually 1 or 2 cubs in a litter every other year (at most) after a gestation period of 6 to 8 months (Chakma 2009).
History
Endangered in Bangladesh (IUCN Bangladesh 2000).
Publication
IUCN Bangladesh. 2015. Red List of Bangladesh Volume 2: Mammals. IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Bangladesh Country Office, Dhaka, Bangladesh, pp. xvi+232
