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Context

• An animal keeper died after being attacked by a Himalayan Black Bear in Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP).

Himalayan black bear

About

• The Himalayan Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus laniger) is a subspecies of the Asian black bear.

Unique position

• The species is considered an ecological indicator and a keystone species of the environment.

Role

• The species plays a vital role as a primary seed disperser in maintaining the stability of the ecosystem.

Nature

• The Himalayan black bear is typically nocturnal and elusive.
• It hibernates throughout the winter in the northwestern Himalayas, while it is usually active during the entire year in the eastern Himalayas.

Diet

• They are omnivorous creatures (like most bears) and will eat just about anything.

Distribution

• Currently, it only exists in Asia, mainly confined in the Himalayas of India, Bhutan, Nepal, China, and Pakistan.

Conservation Status in IUCN Red List

• This subspecies is listed as 'vulnerable' due to encroachment of human population, forest fires and the timber industries; these have all reduced the bear's habitat.

Threats

• Habitat fragmentation, habitat loss and destruction, conversion of bear habitat into agricultural land as well as other anthropogenic pressures are significantly influencing the black bear population and its habitat

Habitat

• The species prefers moist temperate forest mixed with deciduous broad-leaved forest, and mixture of oak, and thick dense under layer of shrubby vegetation between 1500 m to 3000 m elevation, and subtropical pine forest between 900 m to 1700 m elevation.

Indira Gandhi Zoological Park Indira Gandhi Zoological Park is located amidst Kambalakonda Reserve Forest in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh,is located amidst Kambalakonda Reserve Forest in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. It is surrounded by the Eastern Ghats on three sides and Bay of Bengal on the fourth side.

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Consider the following statements with reference to the Himalayan Black Bear. 1.It is an ecological indicator. 2.It is a keystone species of the environment. 3.The species plays a vital role as a primary seed disperser in maintaining the stability of the ecosystem. 4.It is confined to the Himalayas of India only. Choose the correct code. A) 1,2 and 3 only B) 1 and 3 only C) All 4 D) None Answer: A) 1,2 and 3 only