Dancing bears in India: A sloth bear status report

D’Cruze, Neil; Sarma, Ujjal Kumar; Mookerjee, Aniruddha; Singh, Bhagat; Louis, Jose; Mahapatra, Rudra Prasanna; Jaiswal, Vishnu Prasad; Roy, Tarun Kumar; Kumari, Indu; Menon, Vivek

doi:10.2192/ursus-d-10-00033.1

Cited by 47 publications

(8 citation statements)

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“…Habitat loss and degradation caused by fire, overgrazing and overextraction of forest resources have resulted in a presumed 30-49% decline in sloth bear populations over the last 30 years (Garshelis et al, 2008). Additionally, poaching, trade of body parts and capture of live cubs for entertainment (as 'dancing bears' in India) continue to threaten bear populations (Seshamani & Satyanarayan, 1997;D'Cruze et al, 2011). Consequently, there is an urgent need to assess sloth bear distributions more systematically, leading to a scientific assessment of their conservation status and direct future conservation efforts for their long-term persistence.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiscale distribution models for conserving widespread species: the case of sloth bear Melursus ursinus in India

Puri

Srivathsa

Kumar

et al. 2015

Diversity and Distributions

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Aim Information on patterns and determinants of spatial distributions remains poorly available for many widespread species of conservation importance. The sloth bear Melursus ursinus in the Indian subcontinent exemplifies this requirement. We aimed at assessing (1) distribution patterns of sloth bears at two spatial scales, (2) ecological and anthropogenic factors that determine bear occupancy. Location We estimated sloth bear habitat occupancy at a nationwide scale across India and at the landscape scale (38, 540 km2) in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, India. Methods We used a grid‐based occupancy approach to determine sloth bear distribution patterns. At the nationwide scale, we used data from questionnaire surveys of field experts (grid‐cell size ~2818 km2; 1326 cells). At the landscape scale, we conducted field surveys of bear signs (grid‐cell size = 188 km2; 205 cells). Detection/non‐detection data from both surveys were analyzed using occupancy modelling methods that account for imperfect detection. We examined the influence of scale‐specific ecological and social covariates on patterns of occupancy. Results Nationwide, sloth bears occupied an estimated 67% of plausible bear habitat in contrast to 46% derived from methods that disregard detectability. Bear distribution was positively influenced by deciduous forests, scrub and barren areas, regions with high human densities and cultural tolerance. At the landscape scale, bears occupied 61% of the area versus 54% estimated from methods ignoring detectability. Occupancy probabilities increased with forest cover and topographic heterogeneity, whereas annual precipitation and human disturbance showed negative effects. Main conclusions Our study underlines the need to integrate human‐modified areas with existing conservation landscapes. Given its widespread nature, functional role, conservation status and relatively benign interactions with humans, we propose recognizing sloth bear as an umbrella species for securing unprotected habitats in India. Protection of widespread species like the sloth bear in other landscapes may complement current conservation strategies for large mammalian communities.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiscale distribution models for conserving widespread species: the case of sloth bear Melursus ursinus in India

Puri

Srivathsa

Kumar

et al. 2015

Diversity and Distributions

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“…They may even suckle body parts of a human caregiver [Kilham and Gray, 2002]. Anderson, Arun, and Jensen [2010] observed auto-sucking of the genitals by sloth bears at a rescue center in India that housed former dancing bears which had been taken from their wild mothers as young cubs, and deprived of maternal contact [Seshamani and Satyanarayan, 1997;D'Cruze et al, 2011]. Forced early-weaning and subsequent deprivation of proper and sufficient stimulation of the suckling reflex can result in teat-searching behavior persisting into adulthood, for example, belly nosing in domesticated pigs Sus scrofa [Widowski et al, 2003], or cross-sucking in artificially reared calves Bos taurus housed in groups separated from their mothers [Jensen, 2003].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A.S. and R.M. were funded by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Poland (2020/W/ IZ/2008, 1018/S/IZ/2010-2011, and 1069/S/KBEE/2012-2013.…”

Section: Acknowledgmentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Grant sponsor: Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Poland; grant numbers: 2020/W/ IZ/2008, 1018/S/IZ/2010-2011, 1069/S/ KBEE/2012-2013 The brown bear Ursus arctos, a solitary species outside the seasonal breeding season (late spring-early summer), has a polygamous mating system that includes male-male competition and female mate choice [Steyaert et al, 2012]. Mating involves mounting from behind, accompanied by neck bites [Ludlow, 1974].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fellatio in captive brown bears: Evidence of long‐term effects of suckling deprivation?

et al. 2014

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Sexually stimulating behaviors that are not linked to reproduction are rare among non-human (especially non-primate) mammals. Such behaviors may have a function in the hierarchy of social species. In solitary species, such behaviors are more enigmatic, and possibly indicative of something abnormal. Here, we report on a case of two male brown bears, raised in captivity since being orphaned as cubs, which engaged in recurrent fellatio multiple times per day until at least 10 years old. The roles of provider and receiver in the act remained unchanged, and the behavior itself became highly ritualized. The provider always initiated the contact involving vigorous penile sucking that appeared to result in ejaculation. We suggest that the behavior began as a result of early deprivation of maternal suckling, and persisted through life, possibly because it remained satisfying for both individuals. This constitutes the first descriptive report of fellatio in bears, and suggests that some bears may suffer lifelong behavioral consequences from being orphaned at an early age.

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“…Live bears are also hunted for the pet trade, to stock bear bile extracting facilities (misleadingly known as bear farms), for wildlife exhibitions and performances, bear baiting, etc. (Gupta et al 2007;D'Cruze et al 2011;Livingstone et al 2018). The demand for bears is high and fuels both a legal and black market trade in bear species that are having detrimental impacts on wild populations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bear trade in the Czech Republic: an analysis of legal and illegal international trade from 2005 to 2020

et al. 2020

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There is a large demand for bear parts in the Czech Republic, and this drives legal and illegal trade in various bear species sourced from outside the country. From 2010 to 2018, the Czech Republic reported legal imports of 495 bear parts, mostly as trophies from Canada and Russia. Illegal trade in bear parts and derivatives for medicine as well as trophies persists as evidenced by the number of seizures made by the Czech Environmental Inspectorate during this same period. From January 2005 to February 2020, 36 seizures involving bears, their parts and derivatives, were made totalling 346 items. Most cases involved trophies (skins, skulls, taxidermies) predominantly from Canada, Russia and the USA, followed by traditional medicines claiming to contain bear parts mostly from Vietnam and China. Three cases involved souvenirs or jewellery, and one case involved live bear cubs. The greatest number of seizures made originated from Vietnam, followed by Canada and Russia. As all countries involved in these incidents are Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), there is a mechanism in place to jointly tackle this illegal trade. International collaboration is essential if efforts to end the illegal international trade in bear parts and derivatives are to succeed.

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Dancing bears in India: A sloth bear status report

Cited by 47 publications

References 0 publications

Multiscale distribution models for conserving widespread species: the case of sloth bear Melursus ursinus in India

Multiscale distribution models for conserving widespread species: the case of sloth bear Melursus ursinus in India

Fellatio in captive brown bears: Evidence of long‐term effects of suckling deprivation?

Bear trade in the Czech Republic: an analysis of legal and illegal international trade from 2005 to 2020

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