Hibernating bear woken early by global warming?

Translocation: From one long natural sleep to a short tranquillised nap

15 April, 2010 - Nature conservation division (NCD) and forestry officials on Saturday released a Himalayan black bear after it was chased pack of dogs at Lamdru, near Khasadrapchu, Thimphu. The male bear, weighing about 150 kg and around seven years old, was not injured, said forestry officials. The bear was first spotted by the vice principal of Khasadrapchu high school. The principal informed forestry officials in Khasadrapchu when he saw the bear near his house. “It was a fat bear that couldn’t even walk properly,” said the range officer Wangdi. However, Wangdi said it was not injured. “It should be hibernating. We don’t know why it was out,” said Wangdi.

Forestry officials immediately informed NCD, whose team rushed to tranquillise it before release into the forest above Kuenphen Norden mining. The bear has not attacked people or cattle, but range officer Wangdi said that it had to be tranquillised to avoid the risk of people being attacked.

Meanwhile, Khasakha villagers said that the Khasadrapchu and the Sisina areas are infested with bears, with several bear attack incidents in the past. “The area opposite Lamdru has rich forest coverage with lots of oak tress, which makes it a perfect feeding grounds for bears,” said a villager.

According to Internet sources, Himalayan black bears are scattered across the Himalayas from Bhutan to Pakistan. They are most populous in mountainous areas and jungles. They are omnivorous creatures and will eat anything, but their diet consists of acorns, nuts, fruit, honey, roots, and various insects, such as termites and beetle larvae. If food is scarce, they may turn to eating livestock, such as sheep, goats, and cattle.

The Himalayan black bear is listed as vulnerable on the international union for conservation of nature’s red list of threatened species. In Bhutan, it is a considered critically endangered. Encroachment of habitats, forest fires and the timber and mining industries have reduced the bears’ habitat in the region. There is also a high mortality rate among the newborn. And, even though hunting of the Himalayan black bear has been forbidden since 1977, there is still a large problem with poaching.

A fine of Nu 20,000 is levied for anybody killing a Himalayan black bear.

By Karma Tashi Wangmo