2008] Status and distribution of Malayan Sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) ... 1339

STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION OF MALAYAN SUN BEAR (HELARCTOS MALAYANUS) IN NORTH-EASTERN STATES,

N.P.S. CHAUHAN AND LALTHANPUIA

Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehra Dun (Uttaraakhand).

Introduction doubtful in this region. In most of these areas, the species was reported to be The Malayan Sun bear (Helarctos extinct. According to the report of Servheen malayanus) is the smallest in size and (1999), there were no Sun bears in India least known bear species. Sun bear is one in the 1990s. The Sun bear is now found in of the most neglected large mammals in South-East Asia from Burma (Maynmar), India. This is the only tropical bear species eastward through Laos, Thailand, inhabiting lowland tropical rain forests Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia throughout much of South-East Asia and Brunei (Servheen, 1999) and India (Servheen, 1999). Due to increase in human (Chauhan and Jagdish Singh, 2005a). But populations, loss, degradation and information on the status, distribution, fragmentation of forests, Sun bear ecology, behaviour and ranging pattern of populations have sharply declined to low Sun bear has been lacking. The paper levels in most of its range. They were found presents the available information on in the forest of Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, status and distribution of this species, Bangladesh, Kampuchea, Southern China, population threats and gives Vietnam, Peninsular Malaysia and the recommendations for conservation and islands of Sumatra and Borneo (Servheen, management of this species in the country. 1993). There were also reports of occurrence of Sun bears on the island of Study Area Java (Greve, 1892; Cuvier, 1834; Fishcher, 1829). In India, the historic distribution of In North-East India, the study has Sun bear was in the tropical rainforest been conducted in the states of Arunachal habitats in the North-eastern region Pradesh, Nagaland, and (Cowan, 1972; Gee, 1967; Higgins, 1932; Mizoram. Arunachal Pradesh shares Prater, 1980). Even there were reports of international boundaries with Bhutan, its occurrence in this region during sixties China, Myanmar to West, North-East, and seventies. Sun bears were also North and East respectively and the state reported to occur in places like eastern has boundaries with Assam and Nagaland. Tibet and Sichuan, China (Lydekker, 1906 Nagaland is another mountainous state. and Meijaard, 1997) and the upper The Naga hills are the most prominent Chitwan District in Nepal (Wroughton, physiographic feature of this state. The 1916). Thereafter, Sun bear population state is bound in the North by Assam and rapidly declined, and its occurrence became Arunachal Pradesh. The average elevation 1340 Indian Forester [October, varies from 250 m to 3,000 m amsl. involved in hunting and sale of bear body Nagaland supports a fascinating parts were directly interviewed and combination of flora and fauna. Manipur information on nature and extent of illegal lies between longitudes 93.03oE and trade taking place in the state was 94.78oE and 23.80oN and 25.68oN. Manipur collected. Secondary data on occurrence of has a geographical area of 22,327 km2. Sun bear was also collected from the forest Ninety per cent of its geographical area is department range offices. Discussions were covered by hills and the remaining area is also held with the forest officials and a small valley. The state shares borders protected area managers in this regard. with Myanmar, Nagaland, Cachar District of Assam and Mizoram. There are five Results districts, namely, Senapati, Tamenglong, Churchandpur, Chandel and . Status and distribution : From the surveys Manipur is exceedingly rich in natural conducted so far in the Arunachal Pradesh, resources with a vast and varied fauna Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram states, heritage. Mizoram is situated between 92o Sun bear showed patchy distribution. In 15' and 93o 29' E longitudes and 21o 57' and some areas adjoining Myanmar, Sun bears 24o 30' N latitudes, bordering Myanmar in were reported to be sighted a few times by the East and South, Bangladesh in the villagers and indirect signs were also West, and Tripura, Manipur and Assam in recorded. The status and distribution of the North. The main forest types in these Sun bears depend on the extent of states are Tropical semi-evergreen forest, availability of lowland forest habitats and Tropical moist deciduous forest, Sub- biotic pressures. Due to conversion of tropical wet hill forest, wet temperate lowland forests in to agricultural areas, forest, moist temperate forest, sub-alpine plantations and human habitation and forest, moist alpine forest and bamboo heavy resource competition, most of the forests. suitable Sun bear habitats got degraded and fragmented. Methods Co-existence of sloth bear with Sun The study was conducted in the states bear has also been reported in some areas of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur but this needs to be confirmed. In and Mizoram during 2002-2008. Arunachal Pradesh, direct and indirect Information on status and distribution of evidences of Sun bear in some parts of the Sun bear was collected in well designed Namdapha Tiger Reserve were reported. questionnaire formats through survey of There is probability of occurrence of Sun different villages. People were interviewed bears in Mouling National Park (NP), and information on the status, distribution, Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS), Dibang direct and indirect sightings, habitats, WLS and Kamlang WLS. Occurrence of human-Sun bear conflicts, non-timber Sun bears is also confirmed in Fakim WLS forest produce collection by the villagers and Intanki WLS in Nagaland. In and hunting activities was collected in the Mizoram, evidences of Sun bear presence questionnaire formats, and cross checked have been found in Thorangtlang WLS, with the data of the Forest Department. Sairep Reserve Forest and Khawnglung During village survey, some of the people WLS in Lunglei District and Ngengpui 2008] Status and distribution of Malayan Sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) ... 1341

WLS and Phawngpui NP in Lawngtlai Sun bears were reported to be sighted District. In Aizawl and Serchhip districts, and indirect evidences were observed in Sun bear has been found to occur in the the forest areas adjoining to villages: New vicinity of Tawi WLS (Table 1, Fig. 1). , Siroy hill, Siroy, Tolloi, There were also evidences of Sun bear New , Yangoudokpi, Ramphei, occurrence in Murlen WLS and Dampa Kugua, Sambui Kopuhaphung, Tiger Reserve in Mizoram. Khankhui, Chamu Kholaphu, Phungyar, , and Konkan Presence of Sun bears has been Thana in (Table 2). confirmed in the Chandel and Ukhrul Occurrence of Sun bear was reported to be districts of Manipur, but it showed patchy high in New Tusom, Mapum Siroy hill, distribution. Both direct and indirect Siroy, Tolloi, Sambui Kopuhaphung and evidences (scats, claw marks and foot Chamu Kholaphu forest areas, and prints) of Sun bears were observed by occurrence was rare in rest of the villages. inhabitants of these areas. Out of 264 In Chandel District, Sun bear was reported respondents, 17.4% confirmed the presence to be present in the forest areas adjoining of Sun bear by direct sighting, 34.8% by the Khonomphai, Yangoubung, T. indirect evidences, 10.2 % by both direct Yangnom, Langol Khunou, Langol sighting and indirect evidences and 37.6% , New Shijang, Chasan could not tell about its presence or absence. Tengnoupal, New Maipi, Kampang A few cubs were kept in villages. Sun bear Khullen, Machi, Machi Uyuiphi, Kambang relative abundance seemed to be higher in Khunou, Narum Mangkot, Lamphoupasna, Chandel forests than Ukhrul District. Kwatha, Kwatha Maru, Kwatha

Table 1

Protected area with confirmed or probability of occurrence of Malayan Sun bear in North-eastern states.

Sl. State Protected area Area (km2) No.

1 Arunachal Pradesh Mouling NP 483.0 2 Mehao WS 281.5 3 Dibang WS 4,149.0 4 Kamlang WS 783.0 5 Namdapha NP* 1,985.2 6 Nagaland Fakim WS* 6.4 7 Intanki NP* 202.2 8 Manipur Yangoupokpi Lokchao WS* 184.8 9 Mizoram Murlen NP* 200.0 10 Phawngpui Blue Mountain NP* 50.0

*PA with confirmed occurrence 1342 Indian Forester [October,

Fig. 1

Occurrence of Sun bear in North-eastern states of India

Warkhong, Kwatha Lamnamung, Kwatha other wild animals and sale of the body Khongangpokpi, Maipi Mongsang, T. parts. Poaching for illegal trade of bear Bongmol, Maojang and Chajang villages body parts was very high. Hunting of Sun (Table 2). Occurrence of Sun bear was bear for food, sale of body parts and sale of reported to be high in Kampang Khullen, young ones captured when the mothers Machi Uyuiphi, Kambang Khunou, were killed has reached to an alarming Kwatha, Kwatha Warkhong, Kwatha proportion throughout its range in Ukhrul Lamnamung and Kwatha Khongangpokpi and Chandel districts of Manipur. forest areas, and in rest of the village forest areas, its occurrence was rare. Bears in captivity : There were two adult Sun bear in the Imphal zoo in Manipur. While surveying forest areas and About two years back, a sub-adult Sun villages, the respondents observed 87 bear was brought in the zoo at Aizawl, specimens (hunted bear or natural death) Mizoram, but it died after few days of Sun bear and Black bear, 91 gall (personal communication with Chief bladders, 68 skins, 69 bones, 87 nails and Wildlife Wardens). 22 jaws in the Ukhrul and Chandel districts during the last 7-8 years. Many of the Legal status : Sun bear is protected under people in these villages were reported to Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife be involved in illegal hunting of bears and (Protection) Act 1972 (Amended in 2003, 2008] Status and distribution of Malayan Sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) ... 1343

Table 2

Occurrence of Malayan Sun bear in forests adjacent to villages of Ukhrul and Chandel districts, Manipur State.

Village in Sightings Village in Sightings Ukhrul District (High/Rare) Chandel District (High/Rare)

New Tusom High Khonomphai Rare Mapum, Siroy hill High Yangoubung Rare Siroy High T. Yangnom Rare Tolloi Rare Langol Khunou Rare New Wahong Rare Langol Khamlang Rare Yangoudokpi Rare New Shijang Rare Ramphei Rare Chasan Tengnoupal Rare Skipe Kugua Rare New Maipi Rare Sambui Kopuhaphung High Kampang Khullen High Khankhui Rare Machi Rare Chamu Kholaphu High Machi Uyuiphi High Phungyar Phungyar Rare Kambang Khunou High Kachai Rare Narum Mangkot Rare Ngainga Rare Lamphoupasna Rare Konkan Thana Rare Kwatha High Kwatha Maru Rare Kwatha Warkhong High Kwatha Lamnamung High Kwatha Khongangpokpi High Maipi Mongsang Rare T. Bongmol Rare Maojang Rare Chajang K. Rare

Anon., 2005). Despite, the illegal trade for Sun bear is listed as ‘Data Deficient’ CITES bear body parts is taking place without Listing: Appendix I. any check. Though the legal protection and legislation prohibits killing of these Conservation problems bears for trade purpose, Sun bear parts and cubs are seen openly for sale in many Population threats : In India, Sun bear areas in Mizoram and Manipur. There are populations are severely threatened due also reports of killing some crop to loss, degradation and fragmentation of depredating Sun bears in these states. habitats; poaching for trade in body parts According to the IUCN (2006) criteria, the and live or dead bears and keeping them 1344 Indian Forester [October, as pets in villages and human-Sun bear resulted from overgrazing, extraction of conflict. Poaching of Sun bears is a critical non-timber forest produce, illicit cutting problem in their areas of occurrence in and lopping of trees, fruit collection, North-eastern states. Trade of bear parts: plantations, expansion of agriculture and gall bladder, meat, skin, claws and teeth, developmental activities has caused is severely affecting the existing Sun bear diminished supply of natural food to Sun populations. Gall bladder is believed to be bears and consequently decline of their of medicinal value. Bones, teeth and claws populations. Consequent to habitat are also used by villagers as trophies or degradation and in search of food, straying body ornaments to ward off evils from of Sun bears from forest areas into human them, a superstitious belief. The villagers habitation and crop fields is reported from suffer from both economic loss due to crop Chandel and Ukhrul districts of Manipur damage (rice, maize, sweet potato, pulses, (Chauhan and Jagdish, 2005b). Bears oilseeds and sugarcane, plum, pumpkin) invade agricultural crop fields for their and human injuries by Sun bear. There food requirement and attack on people due were reports of some retaliatory killing of to sudden encounter. crop depredating Sun bears in Chandel and Ukhrul districts. These threats have Human-bear interactions : Human-Sun been seriously impacting Sun bear bear interactions include crop depredation populations. It is likely that the existing by Sun bear and retaliatory killing of bear Sun populations have become fragmented by aggrieved people, poaching of bears for and isolated, and may ultimately lead to trade in body parts, meat consumption, extinction. Control on poaching will require sale of cubs, human injuries by bear and proper intelligence network and greater impacts of human activities or non-timber enforcement efforts. forest produce collection on bears and habitats. Poaching of Sun bears for illegal In many areas of Sun bear range trade and sale of meat and body parts is such as Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, ongoing unregulated in Arunachal and Vietnam, poaching of bears for sale or Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and for food is unregulated and increasing Manipur. (Mills and Servheen, 1991). Market economies and opening of borders now Sun bears are known as fierce animals allow free trade of bears and parts of bears, when surprised in the forest. We conducted thereby accelerating killing of bears. a study on the human-Sun bear conflict in Likewise, gall bladder from areas of Sun Chandel and Ukhrul districts of Manipur bear occurrence in India is reported to be State in India during 2004-2005 (Chauhan illegally exported to Singapore, Bangkok and Jagdish Singh, 2005b) and there were and Hong Kong (Survey data of Manipur, reports of Sun bears straying out of forests India). and invading agricultural crop fields located close to forests and causing Habitat threats : In the North-eastern extensive damage to rice, maize, sweet states, Sun bear populations are severely potato, pulses, oilseeds and sugarcane affected due to increasing human crops. Local people stated that the Sun population and continuous loss of habitat. bear attack on humans and inflict serious Habitat degradation and fragmentation wounds if surprised. 2008] Status and distribution of Malayan Sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) ... 1345

In total 95 human injury cases were knowledge about the impacts of human caused by Sun bear in Ukhrul and Chandel activities on the Sun bear habitats, ecology, districts during 1990-2002 (Chauhan and behaviour, food habits, activity pattern and Jagdish Singh, 2005b). Males were mainly conflict aspect, management of this species attacked (97.7%) and female victims were is difficult. The existing Sun bear only 2 (2.3%). Injuries were caused to face, populations in India require proper nose, eyes, neck, hand and legs. Bear management attention on high priority. attacks were recorded in all the seasons, There is an urgent need to conduct but maximum cases occurred during systematic surveys to know the status and autumn and winter months. Most cases population estimates and evaluate threats i.e. 63 (66.3%) cases occurred in forests, in order to formulate conservation followed by 14 (14.7%) cases in crop fields strategies for Sun bears. and 18 (19%) cases in the vicinity of villages. These victims were involved Public education and awareness : For in cattle grazing, farming or crop wildlife conservation, involvement of local protection or moving in forests or vicinity people, field managers, staff and their of villages or non-timber forest produce support is necessary. Through education collection. Most of these incidences and awareness programmes, conservation occurred during morning, evening and ethics can be inculcated among these local night time. People living in these areas people. The education and awareness are generally poor and can not afford crop programmes about ecosystem, losses. Some retaliatory chasing and killing conservation, natural history of Sun bear, of bears by aggrieved people was also bear habitats, feeding habits, behaviour, reported by the villagers in these forest activity pattern, human-Sun bear divisions. interaction and safety measures are important for the local community. This Management : Sun bear is found only in will greatly help conservation of Sun bears the north-eastern states in India and very in India, and safeguard the interest of the little management is practiced for local communities. protection of its populations. Information on status of Sun bear and range of Conservation recommendations distribution is being collected from these states. There are also no records of human- 1. Systematic survey of the status and caused mortality and population estimates. distribution of Sun bear in the No habitat management exists for Sun remaining range in the North-eastern bears in India. Sun bears are poached states, namely, Arunachal Pradesh, regularly for trade in body parts, and they Nagaland, Mizoram and Assam, needs are also killed by villagers in retaliation to be carried on priority basis to against crop damage. For wildlife develop a database on its presence protection, there are some efforts by the and absence. Existing bear inhabited forest department to check poaching and areas need to be identified and a deforestation. But due to remoteness of realistic Sun bear distribution range these areas and militancy and law and map needs to be developed. There is a order problem, management of wildlife need for site-specific application of areas is difficult. Further due to lack of methods to assess distribution, 1346 Indian Forester [October,

relative density and the impacts of 6. Local people venture into forests biotic pressure on Sun bear anytime of the day to collect non- populations. timber forest produce, which may be 2. A study on habitat use pattern of Sun of bear interest also i.e. food plants. bear is essentially required. The There should be restriction on availability of suitable habitats can collection of these food plants from be mapped on general landuse maps the bear areas. so that necessary steps could be taken 7. Selected forest patches away from to protect and restore such habitats potential bear areas are required to for conservation of Sun bear be delineated where local people can populations. be allowed for regulated extraction of 3. Factors leading to degradation and fuelwood and lopping activity. fragmentation of Sun bear habitats Keeping in view the dependency of should be identified in areas occupied local people on forests and increasing by this species, and strategies should demand for fuelwood and non-timber be developed to remove these threats. forest produce, afforestation activities Cattle grazing, illicit cutting and in suitable areas need to be planned lopping of trees should be completely and taken up. banned in bear areas. 8. People should be educated and 4. Poaching of Sun bears for trade of discouraged to use bear bile as bear parts is severely affecting the medicine, meat for their consumption, existing Sun bear populations in skull and bones as trophies and the North-eastern states and it may other body parts for false religious lead to extinction of this species from beliefs. this country. Strict punishment 9. A study on assessment of nature and should be imposed on people involved extent of human-Sun bear conflict and in hunting of Sun bears. Control on circumstances is essentially required poaching will require proper to develop mitigation strategies. intelligence network and greater 10. People are required to be alert and enforcement efforts. Trade in bear vigilant moving in wildlife areas. To parts, dead or live Sun bears and reduce crop depredation by Sun bear, keeping them as pets should be protection measures such as co- thoroughly checked by making operative crop guarding, use of intelligence system very effective. barriers, scaring sounds or frightening 5. Conservation of Sun bears should be devices: scare-crows and dummies, or accorded both International and fire sticks and crackers especially National priority to deal with during the crop maturation stage in poaching for illegal trade of bear body areas frequently raided by bears are parts. Using new provisions of Indian suggested. Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, 11. People still possess the remnants of a conservation and community reserves conservation ethic. The education and could be established by different states awareness programmes about to protect Sun bear populations both ecosystem, conservation, natural within and outside protected area history of bears, habitats, feeding network. habits, behaviour, activity pattern, 2008] Status and distribution of Malayan Sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) ... 1347

human-bear interaction and safety India. Basic information on the status, measures are important for the local distribution, ecology, food habits, community. Constitution of village activity pattern and conflict aspects committees would help in confidence of the Sun bear is essentially required building and awareness messages will in India. Research on assessment of help to gain community support for impacts of forestry practices, timber anti-poaching endeavours. harvest and monoculture plantations 12. Very limited information is available on the Sun bear habitats is also on ecology of Sun bear. Basic research important. The study will greatly help on the Sun bear should be the highest in management and conservation of priority need for any bear species in Sun bears in India.

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Mr. P.R. Sinha, Director, Wildlife Institute of India for his constant help and encouragement in preparation of this country report. Sincere thanks are due to all scientists, foresters, and researchers who have provided valuable information about the status of sloth bear through questionnaires format and discussions. Thanka are all due to the Chief Wildlife Wardens and officials of all the State Forest Departments in India.

SUMMARY

Sun bear is the least known bear species and one of the most neglected large mammals in India. No information is available on its status, distribution, ecology and population threats from India. The surveys were conducted in the North-eastern region during 2002-2008 and information on status and distribution of Sun bear was collected in well designed questionnaire formats. In Arunachal Pradesh, direct and indirect evidences of Sun bear confirmed its presence in Namdapha Tiger Reserve and Murlen National Park and probability of its occurrence is shown in few protected areas. They are also present in Fakim WLS and Intanki WLS in Nagaland. In Mizoram, Sun bears occur in many protected areas including Dampa Tiger Reserve. Presence of Sun bears has been confirmed in the Chandel and Ukhrul districts of Manipur, but it showed patchy distribution. The paper presents its legal status and discusses conservation problems like population threats, habitat threats and human-bear interactions. Recommendations for conservation and management of Sun bear have also been made.

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