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Picture source:
The Bear Den
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Sloth Bears - Status
While in a single encounter with humans, Sloth Bears usually win. The species as a whole looses a battle against human encroachment. The population of the Sloth Bear species ranges between 10,000 and 25,000 and is declining. As with most bear species, the mortality range among the babies is rather high. However, the cubs' survival depends on the mother's skills to protect and teach them. Due to the mothers' care and non-predatory nature of males, the infant mortality is less than in other bear species.
Although this species cannot be traded commercially, the major threat to the sloth bear population is that they are caught and trained to perform in the streets and local circuses. The cubs are sold as pets by gypsies. Training of bears involves inhuman methods: piercing of the snout, the removal of teeth and claws, and the placement on hot plates to train the animals to dance. The animals are kept in small cages in very poor conditions and have a very short lifespan.
Another problem for this species is that Sloth Bears inhabit the same areas as many large carnivores, such as leopards, tigers, wild dogs and others. Cubs are easy prey for most of them. Loss of habitat has taken a serious toll of Sloth Bears.
Sloth Bears - Conservation links
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Picture source:
The American Bear Association
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Bear Research - The world famous bear center in the Department of natural Resource Sciences at Washington State
Bear Trust. Wild Bears - Vital statistics and physical description of all bear species in the world. General information, habitat conservation and education projects
Bears Investigation - Learn how various species of bears are anesthetized and transported.
Bengal Wildlife - The wildlife wing of the West Bengal Government provides information on conservation efforts for various species of animals and birds
Craighead Environmental Research Institute - A survey on the evolution and threats to this species.
European Coordination of Sloth Bears - Read about the Sloth Bears that live in Europe and the problem of their preservation in the wild.
Expeditions in Conservation - A survey on the threats to Sloth Bears in their natural habitats and what can be done to protect them.
Free the Bears Fund. Sloth Bears - Read about the threats to this species and learn how you can help save them.
Ratanmahal Sloth Bear Sanctuary - Offers safari packages and places to see many animals in the wild.
Sloth Bear Conservation - Read about the Ratanmahal Sloth Bear Sanctuary and animals living there.
Smithsonian Magazine. Sloth Bears - Read about the role of the sloth bear for humans and the status of the species.
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Picture source:
Woodland Park Zoo
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Species Survival Commission. Sloth Bear - Learn what bear species are at the greatest risk and what conservational efforts are taken to preserve them.
Spotlight on Sri Lankan Species - Read about the importance of the sloth bear to the tourist industry of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan Sloth Bear - A large article about the sloth bear that lives in Sri Lanka and problems associated with the species.
The Ecology of Sloth Bear - A survey of methods of investigating the Sloth Bears' lifestyle, natural biology and problems of conservation.
The Sloth Bear - Read about the zoos there you could watch these bears and learn basic facts about their life.
The Sloth Bear In India - A survey of monitoring methods, problems of bear encounters with humans and threats to the bear population.
Torture of the Dancing Bears - Here you can sign the petition to stop Sloth Bears' torture and their use as street dancers.
Ursidae: Sloth Bear - Classification and general information of the species, including vital statistics, diet, reproduction and conservation status.
Uttar Pradesh Sanctuary - World Conservation Monitoring Center page provides information on several sanctuaries where you can watch Sloth Bears and other wild animals.
World Society of the Protection of Animals - WSPA has taken a crucial step towards ending the bear dancing industry in India by opening a new sanctuary.
