Himalayan Black Bear:
An animal keeper died after being attacked by a Himalayan black bear in the animal’s enclosure at Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP) recently.
- Himalayan Black Bear is a subspecies of the Asian black bear.
- Scientific Name: Ursus thibetanus laniger
- They live a lot in the Himalayas, in Tibet, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and China.
- In India, they are found throughout the Himalayas, from Jammu & Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh, and in hilly regions of other northeastern states.
- The species prefers heavily forested, broadleaved, and coniferous forests as habitat.
- It uses orchards, agricultural fields, and human habitation to move between forest patches.
- It has soft and shiny hair, with a white V patch on its chest.
- On average, they range from 1.4 to 1.7 metres in length and weigh from 90 to 200 kg (the higher figure is only likely just prior to hibernation).
- They are omnivorous creatures (like most bears). Their diet consists of acorns, nuts, fruit, honey, roots, and various insects such as termites and beetle larvae.
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
