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Journal of Wildlife and Biodiversity 3(4): 45-56 (2019) (http://jwb.araku.ac.ir/) DOI: 10.22120/jwb.2019.113261.1083 Research Article

Status and Distribution of Malayan Sun (Helarctos malayanus) in Dampa Reserve, Mizoram,

reserve serve as excellent sources of frugivory Sushanto Gouda*, Netrapal Singh and fruiting phenology. From the study, it was Chauhan, Janmejay Sethy determined that the population of in the region is relatively low and restricted to a few 1Amity Institute of Forestry and Wildlife, Amity University, Noida- 201313, Uttar Pradesh, India patches within the reserve. Habitats of sun bear *email: [email protected] are also under serious threats due to agricultural Received: 01August 2019 / Revised: 30 August 2019 / Accepted: 1 expansion and ever-increasing dependency of September 2019 / Published online: 10 September 2019. Ministry of local communities on forest resources, hence Sciences, Research and Technology, Arak University, Iran. immediate measures are needed for the Abstract conservation of sun bear in the region. Malayan sun bear is the smallest among all Keywords: Camera trapping, deserted areas, and the only tropical bear inhabiting the foraging signs, non-invasive technique, sun lowland tropical forest of . Once bear. abundant, they are now considered as priority species due to excessive and hunting Introduction across their home range. Although reported Bears are one of the most fascinating from several parts of Northeast India, the mammalian species associated with numerous paucity of biological information on the species social and cultural aspects in the South-Asian and its distribution has been a major constrained countries for centuries. They are symbolically for conservation efforts. The study in Dampa and physically integrated with the tribal Tiger Reserve, Mizoram, India determines the communities in several traditional aspects ecology, distribution and habitat selection of (Servheen et al. 1999). The Malayan sun bear Sun bear, using foraging signs and invasive (Helarctos malayanus) is the smallest among all camera trapping techniques. A total of 43 bears and the only tropical bear species transects were walked with 310 sampling plot. inhabiting the lowland tropical forest of Evidence in forms of claw marks was found to Southeast Asia (Servheen 1999). They are be highest (60.23%) followed by scats among the few species that were characterized (25.81%), nests (3.56%), cavity (6.23%) and as Data Deficient (DD) till 2008 by the IUCN footprints (4.15%). The mean occurrence of bear Red list of Threatened species, but with signs was 17.2±0.8. Bamboo forest and Tropical improvement in researches on ecology and semi-evergreen forest with elevation between conservation, it is now considered as a 501-1000 msl were found to be the most ‘Vulnerable’ species (Scotson et al. 2017). In preferred habitat for sun bear. Majority of sun India, they are reported from the north-eastern bear signs (74.1%) were observed in states of Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, undisturbed forest regardless of sites (r2= Arunachal Pradesh and Assam (Chauhan and 0.8291, df= 3, p< 0.2713). With a camera Singh 2006, Sethy and Chauhan 2011, trapping effort of 647 trap-nights, 18 Choudhury 2011, Borah et al. 2012). As in most independent images of sun bear were obtained. parts of Southeast Asia, the population of sun The photo-capture and block wise distribution bear in India also faces threats from poaching for index was estimated to be 5.26 with a trapping their meat or trade in their body parts (gall index of 1.89. Deserted areas within the tiger bladder and claws) (Sethy and Chauhan 2012). 46 | Journal of Wildlife and Biodiversity 3(4): 45-56 (2019)

Fragmentation of forest due to shifting (Rovero and Marshall 2008). Assessing cultivation, oil palm plantation and other population density on the incidence of sign activities have also triggered encroachment of (scats, tracks, marked trees) has been bears to human settlement areas resulting in successfully used for estimation of the small human-bear conflicts that often leads to injuries population (<20) in any given area (Garshel et to bears or the humans (Chauhan and Singh al. 1999, Karanth et al. 2006). It may be possible 2006, Choudhury 2011). The availability of easy to account for all individuals through a food sources in shifting crop fields along the comprehensive record of track measurements protected areas attracts bears and other , and direct observation with an assist from causing crop depredation and even retaliation invasive tools like camera trapping (Karanth and killing from farmers (Pop et al. 2012, Nazeri et Nichols 1998, Rowcliffe and Carbone 2008, al. 2012). While evidence on the presence of sun Ngoprasert et al. 2012, Wong et al. 2012). bear are available form parts of northeast India Considering the caveats above, the study aims to (Chauhan and Singh 2006, Choudhury 2011, determine the status and assess the spatial- Borah et al. 2012), proper demarcation and temporal distribution of Malayan sun bear information of its distribution, with (Helarctos malayanus) from secondary photographic evidence for their confirmation is evidence backed with camera trapping. Such lacking, that serves as a major constraints for its methods are best suited for the tropical forest of conservation and management efforts (Sethy Mizoram, where the presence had been reported and Chauhan 2012). but evidence for its confirmation is still deficient (Choudhury 2011). Conservation priorities and strategies in any region are based on assessments of population Materials and Methods size and distribution trend (Servheen et al. 1999, Study area Wong et al. 2004). Camera trapping is Dampa Tiger Reserve (DTR) was selected for recognized as a key method for monitoring the study as some of the earlier publications had invasive, nocturnal and cryptic species where cited the presence of sun bear in the region. The climate and landscape act as large-scale area also holds important geographical ecological stressors (Schmeller 2015, Steenweg characteristics as it shares the border with et al. 2017, Rich et al. 2019). However, reliable where the occurrence of sun bear abundance estimation through capture-recapture was reported by Islam et al. (2013) and Scotson is difficult to achieve at larger spatial scales and (2017) already. The reserve lies within the is confined to species that are naturally marked biodiversity hotspot and stretches over an area and have a large population size (Mackenzie et of 550 km2 within latitude 23° 23' to 23° 42’ N al. 2002, Palai et al. 2015). As the density of sun and 92° 16' to 92° 25' E (Fig. 1). The reserve is bear is perceived to be relatively low in all their home to a rich floral (Sahoo et al. 2010) and home ranges, it makes mark-recapture technique faunal diversity including Clouded as an intricate process for their estimation (Neofelis nebulosa), Golden ( (Garshel et al. 1999). Hence, photo-capture rates temminckii) and Great hornbill (Buceros or trapping effort serve as the ideal approach for bicornis) (Gouda et al. 2016, Singh and the valuation of distribution and abundance of Macdonald 2017) and contains a profusion of including bears in a tropical forest of habitats characterized by diverse biota. The India (Carbone et al. 2001, Trolle and Kery natural vegetation in the reserve is tropical 2005, Palei et al. 2015). There is also increasing evergreen to semi-evergreen. The forest in the evidence of the linear relationship between moist valleys is lofty and evergreen, while the Relative abundancy Index (RAI) and abundance steeper slopes on the west aspect have more estimated through more rigorous methodologies deciduous elements, often with sympodial 47 | Journal of Wildlife and Biodiversity 3(4): 45-56 (2019) bamboos in the understory (Lalrinchhana and the reserve forest but later relocated to the buffer Solanki 2015). The diverse’ vegetation can be region. attributed to the villages that were once within

Figure 1. Map of the study area showing the international boundary and villages in vicinity of the reserve

50 | Journal of Wildlife and Biodiversity 3(4): 45-56 (2019)

Sampling design and data collection

Different sets of approach were adapted for collection of samples and evidence on the presence of Malayan sun bear in the region, which comprises of the questionnaire survey, transect survey, bear’s sign survey and camera trapping. Questionnaire survey Inputs from locals are considered as an asset for obtaining valuable information in any region. Semi-structured questionnaire surveys were conducted to gather information on the past and present status, distribution, the extent of human- bear interactions and threats to bears population, etc. Male members of the families were preferred for the survey as they spend more time in the agriculture crop fields and surrounding areas compared to the female members. Women were also helpful in providing additional information related to crop depredation and bear-human interaction. Figure 2. Map showing the transect tracts within the Line transect study area Forty-three transects of varying length (3-5 km) were laid in a stratified manner covering Camera trapping different habitats of DTR (Fig. 2). Each transect Based on preliminary survey and sign survey, areas with evidence of the presence of Malayan was traversed and covered at least 2-3 times in sun bear were identified and selected for every season (summer, rainy and winter) with deployment of camera traps. A grid size of 8 km2 15-20 days interval. During the transect walks, was selected to match the scale of other camera- bear signs (claw marks, footprints, feeding trapping surveys in South-east Asia (O’Brien et signs, feces and crop-raiding signs) were al. 2003, Kawanishi and Sunquist 2004, searched. Bear’s nest, broken bee’s nest, digging Grassman 2005, Jackson et al. 2006). Of the 40 sites, scat, tracks, and trails were also grids covering the study area, 20 grids were extensively looked for. Claw marks of bears randomly selected for camera trapping. Sun bear while climbing on trees were recorded as one was photo-captured using 10 passive camera sign. In the situation where claw marks of trap units between May 2015 and March 2016. different age categories were observed on one All camera traps were operational for 24 hours tree, the most recent sign was recorded per day, time and date for each exposure were following Steinmetz and Garshelis (2008), preset, and had a 15-sec delay between photographs. Camera traps were placed on trees Steinmetz (2009) and Islam et al. (2013). Claw at ~50 cm from the ground and 1-2 m from the mark measurements were recorded and monitoring area. Sensors were aimed at ground photographs were taken for species to monitor a conical area approximately 1 m in identification. GPS coordinates of the tree with diameter at 10 m distance. Independence of claw marks were also noted. Based on the photo capture was determined following sightings of sun bear and their signs, distribution O’Brien et al. (2003) and Jenks et al. (2011) map was prepared for sun bear in DTR. suggesting that two photo-capture images can be considered as independent if photo-captured 51 | Journal of Wildlife and Biodiversity 3(4): 45-56 (2019) after a minimum time gap of 30 minutes. The km length, sampling circular plots of 10 m photo capture was determined using the method radius with 200 m interval were laid for suggested by Rovero and Marshall (2008). evidence and determining forest types. Bear signs were recorded from 236 of the 310 plot Block wise density sites. In forms of evidence, claw marks were While estimating the density it may be noted that highest in number (60.23%) of different age different shares their minimum limit for categories. Other signs recorded from the study their habitat and it solely varies with the species. sites include scats (25.81%), nests (3.56%), Further, the number of captures was far too less cavity (6.23%) and footprints (4.15%) (fig. 3). to perform other calculations to assess the Claw marks were found on trees with 12- 86 cm populations with more conviction. However, if in diameter at breast height (DBH). The mean it is considered that bears that were captured by DBH was calculated 39 cm, and the mean height independent camera traps at least once are of trees was 26 m. separate individuals, then a crude density of sun bears in different forest blocks may be Table 1. Respondents view on distribution of calculated as block wise density (BWD) from Malayan Sun bear in vicinity areas of DTR. NIP, CA, PA and DA stand for Number of people the following equation: interviewed, confirmed occurrence, probable Photos captured atleast once by a camera in a block occurrence, denied occurrence respectively. 퐵푊퐷 = Area of the block in which the camera was set up Villages NIP CA PA DA Results Teirei 51 32 19 0 A total of 469 respondents from 7 villages were Damparengpui 170 148 19 3 interviewed during the questionnaire surveys. In Serhmun 59 45 12 2 the survey, 70.0% of respondents (n=338) confirmed the presence of sun bear in the reserve Tuipuibari 96 75 18 3 while 26.8% (n=117) respondents accepted the Phuldungsei 21 18 2 1 possibilities of sun bear and 3.2% denied its Saithah 27 17 9 1 occurrence (Table 1). High percentage of Khawhnai 45 3 38 4 sighting was reported in the semi-ever green forests and forest edges due to the richness of the Total 469 338 117 14 fruit trees and availability of anthropogenic food sources in agricultural crop fields in the vicinity The transect study revealed that the number of of DTR (Sati and Rinawma 2014). During the bear signs per unit area varied with the forest survey, the respondent had sighted single bears types in the reserve. The mean occurrence of 32 times, bears in a pair was sighted three times bear signs was 17.2 ± 0.8. The density of signs and mother with cubs for five times in and was highest in the bamboo forest (39.51%), around the reserve. followed by tropical semi-evergreen forest Based on the reconnaissance survey and local (17.74%), semi-evergreen forest (12.5%), knowledge on the distribution of bears in the tropical wet-evergreen forest (12.5%), mix reserve, 43 linear transects were set randomly forest and temperate forest (12.0 %). Density of encompassing in seven different habitat types bear signs per hectare was found to be highest in including dry mixed forest, tropical semi- the bamboo forest (113.5/h) followed by tropical evergreen forest, tropical wet-evergreen forest, semi-evergreen forest (112.1/h), tropical wet- tropical moist deciduous, wet temperate forest, ever green forest (109.6/h), semi-evergreen dry temperate forest, and bamboo forest (Raman forest (98.7/h), mix forest (93.4/h) and 1998, Raman 2001). Along each transect of 3-5 temperate forest, (84.9/h) (Table 2). 3 | Journal of Wildlife and Biodiversity 3(4): 45-56 (2019)

Table 2. Secondary shreds of evidence collected on Sun bear from different habitat in DTR Habitat category No. of plots No. of bear signs (%) in No. of plots with Density of signs (n=310) sample plots (n=248) bear signs (n=236) (signs/ha) Mix forest 30 8.87 20 93.4 Tropical wet-ever 50 12.5 39 109.6 green forest Tropical semi- 50 17.74 41 112.1 evergreen forest Semi-evergreen 40 12.5 27 98.7 forest Temperate forest 30 8.87 15 84.9 Bamboo forest 110 39.51 94 113.5

The occurrence of bears signs also varied along (r2 = 0.81488). The density of bear signs showed transects of different altitude gradients. an increasing trend with the increase in elevation Elevations were categories as lowland ranged (0 in Dampa TR. The high density of signs can be to 500 msl), Mid-elevation (501-1500 msl) and attributed to the presence of a large number of temperate (1500- above). Percentage of bear the fruiting trees like Actocarpus heterophyllus, signs was highest at an elevation of 501-1000 Trema orientalis, Syzygium cumini where the msl (53.1%) followed by 0-500 msl (26.0%) and highest numbers of claw marks were also 1001-1500 msl (13.2%). observed. Similar results were recorded by Wong et al. (2012) and Islam et al. (2013), in which bears were found to mostly feed on papaya (Carica papaya), jackfruit (Actocarpus heterophyllus), eucalyptes (Eucalyptus grandis, E. robusta) and banana (Musa paradisa) in the low lying forest patches. The habitat selection by the sun bear in the reserve can be backed by works of Fredriksson et al. (2006), in which plants from families of Moraceae, Burseraceae, and Myrtaceae contributed more than 50% of the diet of sun bear. Preference of the bamboo forest and degraded habitat types by the bear species may be due to the higher abundance of insects such as termites (Isoptera), beetles (Coleoptera), and beetle larvae (Coleoptera) Figure 3. Number of bear signs recorded during the transect survey in different forest habitat causing bears to use these areas more intensively (Fredriksson et al. 2006, Wong et al. 2002, Joshi

The percentage of bear signs was lowest at an et al. 1997, Wong 2002). The distribution map elevation of 1500 and above (7.8%). There was of Malayan sun bear in Dampa TR is presented a distinct relationship between the season, in figure 4. elevation and density of bear signs per unit area

4 | Journal of Wildlife and Biodiversity 3(4): 45-56 (2019)

Figure 4. Distribution map of Malayan Sun bear in Dampa Tiger reserve based on primary and indirect evidences

Sun bear was found to use both disturbed and undisturbed forest regardless of sites (r2= undisturbed habitats to a varying extent. The 0.8291, df= 3, p< 0.2713). In areas with higher majority of bear signs (74.1%) were observed in intensities and extents of disturbance, fewer bear 52 | Journal of Wildlife and Biodiversity 3(4): 45-56 (2019) signs (25.9%) were observed. Matthews et al. Table 3. Photo capture rate and block wise (2006) and Mattson (1990) in their studies had distribution of Sun bear in DTR highlighted the use of buffer area more often by Total Independent Area RAI1 RAI2 adult females and sub adults primarily because photos photos of their ability to virtually consume all human Old Chikha 17 7 15 1.89 foods that have been established in former Malpui 5 2 21 0.23 wildlands and also to avoid a clash with male bears. Pop et al. (2012) in their study found that Tuichar 2 2 37 0.05 Chikha GPS-collared brown bears preferred to remain 11 3 12 1.23 longer inside the buffer zone than subadults who road are more present outside the buffer area. Pathloi 0 0 0 0 IR camp 1 1 31 0.12 Camera trapping Random sites in grids with positive signs of bear Tuilut 4 1 21 0.45 New activity were selected for the deployment of 7 2 14 0.78 camera traps in the study area. However, in grids chikha with no sign, trap sites were selected according Total/Mean 47 18 21.54 5.26 to the best-assumed capture success, e.g. at termite colonies or fruiting areas, along trails. From a combined trapping effort of 647 trap- nights with a total of 361 independent photos of 25 mammalian species were obtained from the camera trapping process. Sun bear was recorded in 47 trap-nights during the systematic survey period. The photo-capture rate or the least number of days requires to get an individual photo of sun bear was found to be least in the deserted villages of Dampa TR (12- 14 trap nights) (Table 3 and Fig. 5). The photo-capture and block wise distribution index shows that Old Chikha (Deserted village) has the highest index of 1.89, followed by Chilka road (1.23) with an Figure 5. Photo-capture of Malayan sun bear in overall mean value of 5.26 in all the block of different forest zones of DTR DTR (Table 3 and Fig. 5). Fruiting phenology with trees such as Jackfruit (Artocarpus Discussion heterophyllus), Charcol tree (Trema Orientalis), Sun bear giving more preferences to honey and Chaplash (Artocarpus chama), Hairy Fig (Ficus other sweet fruits over insects and termites were hispida), Beal (Aegle marmelos), Banyan (Ficus also reported in several studies (Wong et al. benghalensis) that sun bears feeds were 2002, Kelvin et al. 2006, Datta et al. 2008, abundant in the deserted villages, thereby Steinmetz et al. 2013). The photo capture rate serving as an excellent source of frugivory and block wise distribution of sun bear in DRT within the reserve. These areas also have large was found to vary with the forest habitat types. wooden logs that hold termites, beetles, and Habitat with mixed vegetation has a higher other insects. Stingless bees and honey comb are chance of photo-capturing bear compared to wet also abundant in deserted areas that act as or moist habitat. The variation was noted to be attractant for sun bears. influenced by the disturbance of humans in the area along with the availability of feeding trees or plants for bear species as evidenced by 53 | Journal of Wildlife and Biodiversity 3(4): 45-56 (2019) findings of Nazeri et al. (2012). The block wise conservation status. 21st International distribution suggests that the density of sun bear Conference on Bear Research and in the reserve is very low and has been confined Management, New Delhi, India. to a relatively small area in the reserve (fig. 5). Carbone C., Christie S., Conforti K., Coulson The fact that inhabitants of different villages T., Franklin N. et al. (2001). The use of surrounding DTR are solely dependent on the photographic rates to estimate densities of reserve and indigenous people regularly enter and other cryptic mammals. Animal the forest for hunting furthers puts sun bear and Conservation 4(1):75–79. their habitat in grave danger. Management and Chauhan N.P.S., Singh J.R.K. 2006. Status and conservation of sun bear in the reserve requires distribution of Sun bears in Manipur, India. urgent addressing and immediate steps from the concern authorities and stakeholders. 17(2):182–185. Choudhury A.U. 2011. Records of Conclusion and Malayan Sun bear in North east India. Dampa Tiger Reserve (DTR) has a rich faunal Final report to International Association for diversity and harbors several number of bear Research and Management (IBA), endangered and threatened species. However, Guwahati, Assam, India: The Rhino due to the continuous degradation of forest Foundation for Nature in NE India, p.53. resources, expansion of agriculture land, illegal Datta A., Naniwadekar R., Anand M.O. 2008. hunting and increase in human population in Occurrence and conservation status of small surrounding villages, a sharp and continuous carnivores in two protected areas in decline in animal species has been recorded. 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