Abstract
Asiatic black bear is present in variety of habitats like broad-leaves and coniferous forests, extending form sea level to 4300m elevation and change their habitat for food purpose seasonally. The present study was conducted at Kaghan and Siran Valleys, District Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan to assess habitat of black bear. Line transect method was used for observation of bear signs. Twelve meter circular radius plots were selected for the concern vegetation's i.e. (trees, shrubs and herbs) and three to six plots were placed in each transect. At the result of sign survey, thirteen different categories of bear signs were recorded and encounter rate was calculated for each sign. A total of 1858 signs were observed during field surveys. Total (81%) coniferous species were recoded among trees, with the highest appearance of Pinus wallichiana (34.22%) and Spruce spp (27.76%), similarly broad leaves trees (18.56%) were also recoded from habitat plots. Most of the signs were encountered in bushy areas, whereas high number of Viburnum Spp (60.29%) was present. It is indicated that black bear prefers blend of Coniferous Trees, Viburnum and Ferns Species; probably because these plants provide enough food, protection, and meticulous shelter because more than 80% of habitat composed of these three species. Currently habitat destruction and increase in human population are the up-growing issues for wild animals (especially Asiatic black bear), which is highly sensitive to such problems. High levels of conservation efforts are recommended for the protection of black bear habitat and to avoid human interference in their territory.
Highlights
Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus G. [Baron] Cuvier, 1823) is considered one of the largest carnivore species in the world (Ripple et al, 2014)
Encounter rate was calculated for each sign from all transects
The present study revealed that habitat of Asiatic black bear consists of 81% conifers and 19% broad leaves in both valleys
Summary
Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus G. [Baron] Cuvier, 1823) is considered one of the largest carnivore species in the world (Ripple et al, 2014). The species is known to change its habitat for food purpose seasonally (Kumar and Viswanath, 2003; Garshelis and Steinmetz, 2016), seasonal migration of black bear depends upon their diet activity, denning positions, reproductive foraging, and breeding (Roger’s). These movements follow well developed corridors like human trails, game trails, open creek beds, edges, shorelines, logging roads and sandbars or rivers (Stevens et al, 1988)
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