Why is it in the News?

An animal keeper died after being attacked by a Himalayan black bear in the animal’s enclosure of Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP) here recently.

About Himalayan Black Bear:

• The Himalayan black bear (Scientific Name: Ursus thibetanus laniger) is a subspecies of the Asian black bear found in the Himalayas of India, Bhutan, Nepal, China, and Pakistan.
• In India, habitat covers the entire Himalayan range from Jammu & Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh, extending to hilly areas in other northeastern states.
• Habitat: Thrives in heavily forested regions with broadleaved and coniferous forests.
• It utilizes orchards, agricultural fields, and human habitats to navigate between forest patches.
• Physical Features: Possesses soft and shiny fur, featuring a distinctive white V patch on the chest.
• Average length ranges from 1.4 to 1.7 meters, weighing between 90 to 200 kg (higher weight typically before hibernation).
• Life Span: In the wild, their life expectancy is approximately 25 to 30 years.
• Diet: Omnivorous nature, consuming acorns, nuts, fruit, honey, roots, and various insects like termites and beetle larvae.
• Behavior: Primarily diurnal by nature but often shifts to a nocturnal lifestyle to avoid human contact.
• Conservation Status: IUCN Red List classification: Vulnerable
• Due to encroachment of human population, forest fires and the timber industries; these have all reduced the bear's habitat.
• There is also a high mortality rate among the newborn.