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Context: The Kashmir Valley has bucked the trend of Asiatic black bear ( Ursus thibetanus) attacks on humans rarely reported throughout the animal’s global range, a new study has revealed.

Details:

• The conversion of the bear’s natural habitat to orchards and farmlands is the primary reason for the ursine attacks over the past 30 years.
• Other reasons include the India-Pakistan border fencing which blocks the movement of the animal and a new generation of people who are not familiar with co-existing with large predators. 

 

Classification:

Kingdom :	Animalia
Phylum :	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order :	Carnivora
Family :	Ursidae
Genus :	Ursus
Species :	U. thibetanus
Zoological name :	Ursus Thibetanus
Found In	Ranthambore, Namdapha and Kaziranga National Parks in India

Physical appearance: 

• Asiatic Black Bear have the jet black fur with the brown muzzle and a whitish chin.
• They have thick hair around the neck and shoulders. Asiatic Black Bear are usually the medium size bear and their length exceeds from four to six feet.
• Males weigh around 220 to 480 pounds and females around 110 to 275 pounds.

Presence in India: 

• Asiatic Black Bear are mostly found in the Northern parts of India.
• They are also spotted in the Ranthambore, Namdapha and Kaziranga National Parks in India.

Species There are four sub species of the Asiatic Black Bear namely U.t. japonicus (Japan), U.t. formosanus (Taiwan), U.t. ussuricus (Mongolia) and U.t. thibetanus for all other regions.

Habitat: Asiatic Black Bear live in forests, hilly or mountainous areas. They occur as high as 9,900 ft., they are also found in the lowlands.

Diet: Asiatic Black Bear is omnivorous eating insects, fruit, nuts, termites, beehives, goats, sheeps, carrion and birds.

Conservation status: 

• The Asiatic Black Bear is listed as vulnerable on the World Conservation Union's (IUCN's) Red List of Threatened Animals and is also listed under Appendix I of CITES and Schedule Iof the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• Deforestation and loss of habitat has seriously declined their population. Asiatic Black Bear are also haunted for their gall- bladders, which are used to make medicines.

Lifespan: Longevity of the Asiatic Black Bears exceeds more than the 25 years. Their longevity in the wild is unknown.

PYQ:

 Q.Consider the following :

1. Bats
2. Bears
3. Rodents

The phenomenon of hibernation can be observed in which of the above kinds of animals?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3

(d) Hibernation cannot be observed in any of the above

Correct answer: c

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/kashmir-bucks-trend-of-asiatic-black-bear-attacks-over-2000-incidents-reported-in-20-years/article66463752.ece