Status of Bears in Bangladesh: Going, Going, Gone?
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Status of bears in Bangladesh: going, going, gone? Mohammed Anwarul Islam1,2, Mayeen Uddin2, Mohammad Abdul Aziz2,3, Sabir Bin Muzaffar4,6, Suprio Chakma2, Sayam U. Chowdhury2, Gawsia Wahidunnessa Chowdhury1,2, Mohammed Abdur Rashid1, Samiul Mohsanin2, Israt Jahan2, Samia Saif2, Mohammed Baharul Hossain1, Dibendu Chakma5, Mohammed Kamruzzaman3, and Rezvin Akter2 1Department of Zoology, University of Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh 2WildTeam (formerly WildlifeTrust of Bangladesh), Cosmos Centre, 69/1 New Circular Road, Malibagh, Dhaka 1217, Bangladesh 3Department of Zoology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar 1342, Dhaka 4Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, PO Box 15551, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates 5Taungya, Rangamati, Bangladesh Abstract: Three species of bears occur in Bangladesh, but most populations have declined to very low numbers or disappeared completely. No systematic surveys have been conducted to determine status and distribution of the remnant populations. Therefore, we conducted surveys at 87 sites with historical records of bears. Footprints, claw marks, and other signs were used to identify bears to species level. In addition, semi-structured interviews were carried out targeting local community members to determine the status of bears. Bear signs were documented in 26 sites in the northeast, 42 sites in the southeast, and 1 site in the north-central region of Bangladesh. With the exception of a single sign that presumably came from a sun bear (Helarctos malayanus), all were identified as Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus). Additionally, we documented one recent occurrence of a captive sun bear captured in the southeastern region of Bangladesh not covered in our survey. We conclude that the sloth bear (Melursus ursinus)is possibly extinct in Bangladesh. Although Asiatic black bear signs were recorded from many sites, the populations are scattered and likely to be very low in numbers. Similarly, the single confirmed record of sun bear suggests that the species is possibly a vagrant from adjoining Indian populations and the populations in Bangladesh are not self-sustaining. Deforestation and hunting are major threats to bears in Bangladesh. Unless urgent conservation measures are taken and degraded forest areas are restored, we suspect that the Asiatic black bear may soon become extinct in Bangladesh. Key words: Asiatic black bear, Bangladesh, conservation, Helarctos malayanus, Melursus ursinus, sloth bear, sun bear, Ursus thibetanus Ursus 24(1):83–90 (2013) The globally vulnerable Asiatic black bear (Ursus and the sun bear have been categorized as critically thibetanus), the sloth bear (Melursus ursinus), and the endangered in Bangladesh (IUCN Bangladesh 2000). Malayan sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) have been The sloth bear had been historically rare, and the reported in Bangladesh (Hussain 1974, Khan 1985, most recent records are from 1995 (National IUCN [International Union for the Conservation of Conservation Strategy Implementation Project-1 Nature] Bangladesh 2000, Fredriksson et al. 2008, [NCSIP-1] 2001, Sarkar 2006). They were occasion- Garshelis et al. 2008, Garshelis and Steinmetz 2008). ally recorded from the central and north-central However, information on their present status and regions, namely Madhupur Gar and Garo Hills in distribution is limited (Hussain 1974, Khan 1985, Mymensingh and Sherpur districts, respectively. Sarkar 2006, Fredriksson et al. 2008, Garshelis et al. Forest patches in the region have been largely 2008, Garshelis and Steinmetz 2008). The sloth bear decimated, suggesting that the species is most likely extinct in Bangladesh (NCSIP-1 2001, Sarkar 2006, [email protected] Fredriksson et al. 2008). 83 84 STATUS OF BEARS IN BANGLADESH N Islam et al. Sun bears have been reported from Satchari Tripura, and Assam, and to the southeast by Tripura National Park in Habiganj District close to the and Mizoram, as well as northern Myanmar. Most Indian border in northeastern Bangladesh (Sarkar of the area consists of agricultural lands; forests have 2006). Additionally, they have been reported recently declined steadily over the last three decades. from Korerhat in Mirsharai Forest Range and Currently, ,6% of the total area consists of Rangamati in southeastern Bangladesh (Sarkar scattered forest patches (Gain 2002, Khan 2008), 2006). They have also been reported by local people most of which are located in northeast, north, in Sangu-Matamuhuri, Naikhongchhari, Dulaha- southeast of Bangladesh. Additionally, the south- zara, Cox’s Bazar, Inani, Rangkheong, and Teknaf western parts of Bangladesh consist of contiguous in the southeast, where fragmented and very small mangrove forests (Sundarbans). For this study, we populations might still occur. However, some selected 3 broad regions: the northeast, north and authorities consider the species to be extinct in central, and southeast. The southwestern mangrove Bangladesh (Fredriksson et al. 2008). forest was excluded because bears do not inhabit this The Asiatic black bear is categorized as endangered area. Within these regions, we selected 87 study sites based on national IUCN Red List criteria (IUCN on the basis of published and unpublished research Bangladesh 2000) and vulnerable according to papers, articles, government records, and other international IUCN criteria (Garshelis and Steinmetz historical records on bears. Some sites were also 2008). Asiatic black bears were recorded in the 1990s considered on the basis of likelihood of bear in bamboo clusters and tea gardens in Banchara in presence and interviews with wildlife biologists and Sreemangal and areas in the Maulvi Bazar district in researchers. Surveys were conducted in 29 sites in the the Sylhet division (Khan 1982, Sarkar 2006). They northeast, 3 in north and central, and 55 in the were reported in the 1990s from Pablakhali Wildlife southeast regions. Both northeast and southeast Sanctuary, Rangamati, Kaptai National Park of the regions are mainly mixed-evergreen forests including Chittagong Hill Tracts. They were also reported from tea gardens, homestead forests, and planted forests, Khagrachhari, Kassalang, Bandarban, Dulahazara, whereas the north and central regions consist of Naikhongchhari, Cox’s Bazar, and Teknaf in the deciduous forests dominated by sal (Shorea robusta). greater Chittagong division. Recent data on the species is limited, although it is still believed to occur in the country (Sarkar 2006). Methods The sloth bear has historically been rare in We conducted the study between March 2008 and Bangladesh in the southeast, east, and northeast May 2010. Data were collected by field surveys and (Sarkar 2006). Occasional presence of sloth bears has structured questionnaire interviews. A team of 3–4 been recorded from Madhupur Gar, Garo Hills, and trained researchers from the University of Dhaka Sherpur Districts, which are located in the central conducted field surveys and interviews. During field and north-central regions, respectively (NCSIP-1 visits, data were collected on direct sightings, 2001, Sarkar 2006). Local people have opined that footprints, claw marks, feces, dens and nests, and sloth bears have been absent in these areas for many other sign. Local people living close to study sites years, and the last known reports are from the mid- were interviewed to supplement findings of the field 1990s (NCSIP-1 2001, Sarkar 2006). surveys. Additional data were collected from search- The objectives of this study were to (1) survey ing the scientific literature, newspapers, and media existing bear habitat in Bangladesh and assess their clippings, as well as records of the Bangladesh Forest status and distribution, and (2) determine the major Department. All existing zoos and Safari parks were threats to bears in Bangladesh. visited to record bear species in captivity. Field survey Study area We selected transects based on convenience and Bangladesh is a low-lying country with an area of local knowledge of possible bear presence. We 147,570 km2 and a population of over 150 million visited a total 84 sites, of which 29 were in the people (Chowdhury 2003, Bangladesh Bureau of northeast (Habiganj and Maulvi Bazar districts) and Statistics 2011). To the northeast, Bangladesh is 55 in the southeast (Bandarban, Rangamati, and bordered by the Indian states of Meghalaya, Khagrachhari districts). We visited 178 transects in Ursus 24(1):83–90 (2013) STATUS OF BEARS IN BANGLADESH N Islam et al. 85 the northeast region and 129 transects in the longer than those of sun bears. Measurements southeast. Transects varied in length from 300– obtained from small captive animals suggested that 500 m (xx 5 400 m). In each site, number of transects the total length (from heel to leading edge of toes) of visited ranged from 2 to 14 and total transect length the hind footprints is likely 18 cm and width of the ranged from 1 to 15 km. During transect walks we hind foot along with pad is .10 cm for an adult identified bear signs (claw marks, footprints, feeding animal. In cases in which hind footprints were signs, feces, crop raiding signs). We attempted to approximately 10 cm (true for both species), we also identify scats but could not use them due to used footprint shape, specifically, the arc of toes. uncertainty of identifying them. Claw mark mea- The thumb (or first toe) of black bears is usually surements were recorded and photographs were dropped back further than in sun bears, as is the fifth taken for species identification. We also recorded