Himalayan Brown Bear:
A rare sighting of a Himalayan brown bear, reportedly with its family, in the Nelong and Jadung Valleys has sparked excitement within Gangotri National Park, Uttarakhand.
- Himalayan Brown Bear is the largest mammal found in the high-altitude regions of the Himalayas.
- It is one of the most ancient brown bear lineages.
- Scientific Name: Ursus arctos isabellinus
- It is also known as the “Himalayan Red Bear” and the “Isabelline Bear”. It is known as Denmo in the Ladakhi language.
- They are found in northwestern and central Himalayas, including Pakistan, India, Nepal, the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China, and Bhutan.
- They hibernate in dens during the winter.
- They are solitary and only interact with each other to mate or fight over mates. The only exception to this is a mother and her cubs.
- Life span: 20 to 30 years in the wild.
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
- Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972: Schedule I
- CITES – Appendix I.
