Baluchistan Black bear

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Carnivora

Family: Ursidae

Genus: Ursus

Species: U. thibetanus

Subspecies: U. t. Gedrosianus

Distribution :

Asiatic black bears live predominantly in forested areas, especially in hills and mountainous areas. In
summer, they have been reported at altitudes over 3,000 meters (9,900 feet), descending to lower
elevations during winter. Apparently, they den for winter sleep in the northern parts of their range.
It has been suggested that in the southern limits of their range, where it is quite hot, they do not
undergo winter sleep, but this has not been confirmed.

Habitat:

A subspecies(Ursus thibetanus gedrosianus) of the Asiatic Black is found in the south western
mountain ranges of Balochistan(Pakistan) and Iran. They are mostly found in the elevated mountain
ranges of Takht-e-Suliman and Toba Kakar. Also known to found in Ziarat, Kalat and Khuzdar, this
specie of bear is called as “mum” in Baluchistan. It was once found in almost the entirety of
Baluchistan. However, it is now considered extinct in most of the area. Deforestation and loss of
habitat is the greatest problem it faces.

Features :

The Balochistan black bear is a sub-species of the Asiatic or Himalayan black bear. It is smaller and
possesses short, coarse, rufous brown fur in the specimens from the south while those from the
north are much darker as compared to the Himalayan black bear. These bears have adapted well
over centuries and are covered in an uncommonly thin coat as compared to the Asian black bear.
The obvious reason for this is that, this species is located in a warmer climate than most of the other
subspecies, which are native to the cooler Himalayan mountain regions.
SIZE:

There is limited information available on these bears, but total length of adults is 130 to 190
centimeters (50 to 75 inches). Adult males range from 100 to 200 kilograms (220 to 440 pounds) and
adult females from 50 to 125 kilograms (110 to 275 pounds).

Age:
The average life of the black bear is 30 years.

REPRODUCTION:
There is little detailed information on reproduction in Asiatic black bears. Sexual maturity of
females is thought to occur at three to four years of age. In Pakistan, mating has been
reported to occur in October, with young being born in February. Cubs are weaned at less
than six months old, but may stay with their mothers for two to three years. Females have
sometimes been reported with cubs of different ages. Baluchistan black bears are thought
to mate in October and cubs are born in February.

Gestation period :
Gestation period is 220 days.And can have 2 to 3 cubs per two years.

Diet:
This species is omnivorous, as it eats fruits, insects, and small reptiles. It is also known for
breaking logs in the hunt of grubs. Though they are omnivorous, their preferred diet is
fruits, especially Indian olives and Ber. The Balochistan bear prefers to eat Indian olive (Olea
ferruginea), Ber (Zizyphus nummularia) as well as the starchy rhizomes, insects and lizards,
and fruits of the dwarf palm.

Balochistan black bear break up downed logs in their search for grubs, helping the process
of decay in the forest and the return of nutrients to the soil. They occasionally kill domestic
livestock, but the degree to which they prey on wild hoofed mammals in unknown. In fall
they frequently make crude leafy feeding platforms in nut-bearing trees.
Major threats and Status in pakistan :
These are captured by locals who try to raise them as pets for circuses and bear-baiting. In
bear baiting, claws and canines of each bear are extracted and they are left to fight dogs.
This practice was made unlawful and prohibited in 2001 but still occurs illegally to some
extent.
The habitat loss is a major threat to this species because of illegal logging, the growth of
human population that leads to expansion of villages, development of highways network,
and installation of power stations in the wild.
Local and nomad herders let their cattle graze in the bear territory and end up in killing the
native bears, blaming them for the killing of their livestock. Poaching for body parts like gall
bladders for medicines is also a threat to the species.
WWF-P aims to assist the Balochistan Government to establish a Protected Area for the Balochistan
black bear, and to prepare a recovery plan. This endemic sub species is faced with severe hunting
pressure and serious habitat loss. A WWF-P preliminary survey in part of the Phub Range of
Balochistan indicated the presence of only a few animals. Conservation efforts in this phase will
entail establishing the population status and threat levels, identifying the core habitat, collecting
relevent socio-economic and ecological data and proposing feasible recommendations.