Conservation status of black bear (Ursus thibetanus) in the Kumrat valley, Pakistan

Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) is one of the vulnerable species classified by IUCN Red list due hunting for its body parts and habitat fragmentation. The forest zone of Kumrat, is one of the important habitat for black bear. The primary objective of the study conducted was to determine the conservation status of Asian black bear in Kumrat valley. Pre-planned questionnaire and interviews were conducted for data collection. The results showed that black bears used to cause damage to the local property, crops and livestock and as a result, the community was hunting it ruthlessly. Illegal hunting and habitat loss in the form of deforestation, visit to forest areas for recreation and grazing of livestock were among the main anthropogenic activities causing threats to black bear. These activities resulted in gradual decline in their number and had brought it at the verge of extinction in the study area. To conserve this rare species, awareness among the people regarding its conservation, incentives to the local community in case of losses, strict regulation measures, sustainable tourism and control on the deforestation are the main recommendations of this study.