The Himalayan black bear has a dark coat with a white crescent on its chest. It lives in the Himalayan region at altitudes between 1,500-3,700 meters above sea level. The bear is omnivorous, eating plants, fruits, insects, and occasionally small mammals. Females give birth to one or two cubs after an 8 month gestation period. The population in Nepal is estimated at 500 individuals and is considered vulnerable due to habitat loss and hunting. Conservation efforts are needed to protect the Himalayan black bear.

1. Himalayan Black Bear (काला] भालु)
Prepared by Shishir Mahatara Forestry College Udaypur, Katari
Scientific Classification
Kingdom : Animalia
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Mammalia
Order : Carnivora
Family : Ursidae
Genus : Ursus
Species : U. thibetanus
Sub Species: U.t.laniger
Common Names: Himalayan Black Bear (English), Kalo Bhalu (Nepali).
Description and Ecology:
They have a dark coat and whiter crescent in the chest.
They are found in the altitude up to (3,000 – 3,700m.) above sea
level. During the winter season, they are found at the altitude range
of (1,500 – 2,000 m.) above sea level.
It occurs in dense, mixed broadleaf forests and steep forest hill,
using rock caves and tree hollows as shelter.
On average, they measure from (140 – 170 cm) and weight (90 – 120
kg).
They are omnivorous, their diet consist of corns, nuts, fruits, honey,
roots, various insects, termites, and occasionally goats, cattle,
sheep.
They are diurnal animals, remains in the caves and hollow trees
during the day.

2. Himalayan Black Bear (काला] भालु)
Prepared by Shishir Mahatara Forestry College Udaypur, Katari
Reproduction:
They reach sexually maturity of approximately three years.
Mating occurs in October with usually one or two cubs born
February (Gestation period about 8 month.
The offspring usually stay with their mother into the second year.
The lifespan of the Bear is 25 to 30 years in the wild state.
National Distribution:
They are found in high land protected area of Nepal like the
Langtang National Park, Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, Shivapuri
National Park, Shey Phoksundo National Park, Rara National Park,
Makalu-Barun National Park, Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve
Sagarmatha National Park and other.
It also recorded from the district of Dhading, Surkher, Dailekh,
Dadeldhura, Doti, Bajura, Rukum. It also captured in a camera trap
in Babai valley of Bardia National Park (1999).
Distribution outside Nepal:
• It is reported from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India,
Iran, Japan, Pakistan, Taiwan, Korea, Myanmar, Russia, Cambodia
and other countries.
Population Size:
The population is estimated to consist of 500 individual (Nepal) this
species is considered uncommon despite its broad distribution, and
the population is observed to be in decline.

3. Himalayan Black Bear (काला] भालु)
Prepared by Shishir Mahatara Forestry College Udaypur, Katari
Main threat:
Habit loss and degradation due to human settlement, forest fire,
clearing for Agriculture and livestock over-grazing.
Hunting for skins, paws and especially gall bladders.
Human-wildlife conflict and retaliatory killings.
Reproduction of pray base.
Inbreeding…
Conservation status:
• IUCN : Red list – (1996)
• CITES : Appendix I (1979)
• Category: Vulnerable
• Critearia : Alcd
• National : Endangered C2a(i)
Conservation measures in place:
None.

4. Himalayan Black Bear (काला] भालु)
Prepared by Shishir Mahatara Forestry College Udaypur, Katari