Sloth Bear Identification

A sloth bear was recently captured by Karnataka Forest Department officials near Shivamogga after being spotted in nearby villages. The incident highlights human wildlife interaction and monitoring using GPS collars.

Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) :

Dimension	Key Details
Scientific Name	Melursus ursinus
Common Name	Also known as Indian bear and classified as myrmecophagous species feeding on ants and termites
Distribution	Found in India Nepal Bhutan Sri Lanka and Bangladesh
Habitat	Occurs in tropical lowland forests and tall grasslands with dense cover
Appearance	Includes shaggy black or dark brown fur white or cream chest patch light coloured snout and ability to close nostrils
Special Features	Lacks upper incisors enabling suction feeding and footprints resemble humans
Size	Grows 5 to 6 feet long and weighs 55 to 145 kilograms with males larger than females
Behaviour	Mostly nocturnal or crepuscular does not hibernate and carries young on its back
Diet	Primarily feeds on termites and ants along with honey sugarcane fruits flowers and eggs
Conservation Status	Listed as Vulnerable in IUCN Schedule I under Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and Appendix I of CITES
Threats	Includes habitat encroachment poaching human conflict and capture of cubs for entertainment