Melursus ursinus ursinus

(Shaw, 1791)

Vernacular names
English : Indian sloth bear
French : Ours lippu Indien

Classification
Class : Mammalia
Order : Carnivora
Family : Ursidae
Notes : 1 other subspecies known.

Identification
Body length of 190 cm for a weight up to 190 kg, males being much bigger than females. Easily recognized by its protrusible lips and its long dirty black shaggy coat, especially around the neck, making it look scruffy. White mark on chest.

Range and habitat
The species is found in southern Asia, patchily in India, Sri Lanka and east to Bangladesh. This subspecies occurs on all the mainland part of the range. Lives in all kinds of forests, savannas and grasslands, to 2000 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : VULNERABLE
CITES : Appendix I
Status : The species’ main threat is loss of habitat by deforestation for agriculture and urban expansion. The species is still poached and trapped illegally.
Ex-Situ Programs : SSP in America, EEP in Europe

Observation

 

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