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Prey/predator relationships

Predation has been surmised to be responsible for several behavioural traits of the sloth bear. Joshi et al. (1999) reported that in Chitwan, females with cubs and subadults of both sexes were rarely active at night, whereas adult males and lone adult females were at least as active at night as during the day. They proposed that this difference was related to avoidance of nocturnal predators. However, Yoganand K. (unpubl. data) discerned that the activity patterns of sloth bears in Panna are not much affected by predator activity and daytime heat was the major influencing factor. Predators are probably the reason female sloth bears give birth in an underground den, staying in the den for several weeks attending to the cubs, and carrying the cubs on their back for several months while foraging.

Carrying Cub


Tigers attack and kill sloth bears occasionally (Joshi et al. 1999 and the references therein), however encounters between them are fairly common (Yoganand unpubl. data). Leopards (Kurt and Jayasuriya 1968), dholes, and even jackals (filmed in the BBC film “Land of the Tiger”) could be a threat to cubs.

Leopard Sloth Bear interaction


Sloth bears do not climb trees as a means of escape or in response to disturbance, but either run away or respond with a loud charge and stand-up display. They may also actively avoid predators or humans when they became aware of their presence well in advance (Yoganand unpubl. data). Laurie and Seidensticker (1977) observed that the aggressive behaviour of sloth bears may be a consequence of not being able to rely on trees for escape, in a habitat that holds tree-climbing predators like leopards, and also makes it advantageous to live in fairly open habitats.
Sloth bears probably consider humans as predators. At close quarters they reacted to human presence, as they would do to a predator (Laurie and Seidensticker 1977, Yoganand K. pers. observ.). They usually roared and ran away, or roared and attacked humans before retreating. Bear attacks on humans are common throughout the range, where bears and humans co-occur (Garshelis et al. 1999a, Yoganand et al. 1999, Rajpurohit and Krausman 2000).

http://home.comcast.net/~cefprice/slothbear/Products/sloth_bear_final.PDF

pterodectyle

 

Here's what researchers say -
"Few published records exist of bear predation by other animals. Kurt & Jayasurya (1968) report of a sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) eaten by a leopard (Panthero pardus). Sloth bears, due to their less arboreal and more aggressive nature, might be less inclined than sun bears to climb a tree when threatened by a leopard; however, leopards are also expert tree climbers (Laurie & Seidensticker, 1977).Kawanisbi & Sunquist (2004) report on 3 tiger (Panthera tigris) scats containing sun bear remains from peninsular Malaysia. Other predators on mainland Southeast Asia and Sumatra could potentially be the common leopard and the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebuloso), which occur sympatrically with sun bears."

http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/rbz/biblio/53/53rbz165-168.pdf

taipan

 

Five Sloth Bear Cubs walk back to Wilderness and Freedom
Saturday 7 July 2007

Five orphaned bear cubs are receiving their first lessons in being wild fromtwo strange men who help them climb trees, dig for termites and make dens. The two strange men areanimal keeperswho are acting as surrogate mothers,helping these cubs learn life-skills to survive in the wild, so that they can return home soon . The five sloth bear cubs, each about four-months-old were confiscated in April from poachers by forest officials in Munger district when they were trying to sell them to Kalandars, who dance bears. These cubs arel undergo a special course “Walk the Bear” in the Pant Wildlife Sanctuary as part of a joint initiativeof the World Society of Protection of Animals, the Wildlife Trust of India and the Bihar Forest Department. Their teeth were knocked out and muzzles were found pierced at the time of the rescue - a common practice among Kalandars who insert ropes through their muzzles to control them.

The cubs were temporarily brought to the Patna zoo for care and treatment. Zoo veterinarian and Dr. N. V. K. Ashraf, Director Wild Rescue of WTI after examining the wounds foundthat these couldheal. “The cubs would have ended up rest of their lives in a zoo or in a lifetime care centre, since no one has ever tried in the past in Bihar to reintroduce them,” Dr. Rakesh Kr. Singh of WTI’s Enforcement Division said.

“The technical assistance promised by WTI for the rehabilitation of the bear cubs has convinced the Chief wildlife Warden to go ahead with the plan.” Dr. Singh said. “It is a big challenge since it will need sound technical expertise and welfare issues to deal with.” In the recent past, WTI has released Asiatic black bear cubs in deep jungles of the Eastern Indian Arunachal Pradesh state, where cubs are being acclimatized to the environment before they finally become independent. “The experience from this project would come handy to train the bear cubs in Bihar.” Dr. Singh said.

The cubs were brought form Patna zoo to Pant wildlife sanctuary to avert excessive human imprinting and also to develop their natural instincts during the pre-release training. The bears would be finally released in the Malayapur forest range of BhimbandWildlife Sanctuary, which is a suitable habitat for sloth bears. It expected that once the cubs grow up they would establish their own territories and move to areas where there is wild population of sloth bears. All the cubs would be radio-collared to monitor their movements and habitat usage after release.

“The cubs are rapidly gaining their natural instincts. Since their rescue, their behaviours have changed. They can climb trees, search for ants and termites and dig holes on earth – a sure sign of wilderness,” said Bipul Chakrabarty, a Scientist in WTI. The cubs now spend most of their time in the jungle and even spend nights in small dens built on trees or in freshly dug holes in the ground, which make it difficult for the keepers to get them back to their night shelter.

Meanwhile, the night shelters in Malayapur forest range in BhimbandWildlife Sanctuary - the place where they would be finally released are near completion. The place would be used for housing the cubs at night and to provide necessary amenities for the keepers. “The food supplements that are being provided now would be stopped, once they are shifted here. The canine teeth are well developed now and their health is excellent,” Dr. Ashraf said. The forest Department and WTI has initiated an awareness programme among the villagers who are living adjacent to the forest areas for conservation of wildlife and become protectors.
http://www.indiaprwire.com/pressrelease/environmental-services/200707043477.htm

taipan

 

pterodectyle

 

Here's what researchers say -
"Few published records exist of bear predation by other animals. Kurt & Jayasurya (1968) report of a sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) eaten by a leopard (Panthero pardus). Sloth bears, due to their less arboreal and more aggressive nature, might be less inclined than sun bears to climb a tree when threatened by a leopard; however, leopards are also expert tree climbers (Laurie & Seidensticker, 1977).Kawanisbi & Sunquist (2004) report on 3 tiger (Panthera tigris) scats containing sun bear remains from peninsular Malaysia. Other predators on mainland Southeast Asia and Sumatra could potentially be the common leopard and the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebuloso), which occur sympatrically with sun bears."

http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/rbz/biblio/53/53rbz165-168.pdf

Sloth Bear Aggression
5. BEHAVIOUR
Sloth bears do have predators, notably wild dogs, leopards, tigers and humans, while elephants and rhinos also command respect. When threatened, Sloth bears may flee or make a “bluff” charge, stopping at the last minute and rising up on their hind legs to threaten. The charge rarely ends in a full-on confrontation. Like all bears, the Sloth bear prefers to avoid conflict with its own species, with other bear species and with other animals. It will avoid situations where it is likely to put itself in danger, but will fight if it has to, especially if the bear is a female with cubs. Although the Sloth bear is an agile climber, in threat situations it is likely to avoid trees as a means of escape, since predators may be lying in wait. Leopards, in particular, pose a danger, since they are also agile climbers.
On the whole, Sloth bears are non-aggressive towards other bears and any marking behaviour would appear to be linked to social spacing rather than acting as a serious warning to other bears. The fact that Sloth bears, Asiatic Black bears and Sun bears can co-exist in the same ranges, indicates non-aggressive behaviour on the part of all three species. Fighting between males is rare. Should it happen, injuries can be severe and sometimes fatal. Flight is considered a better alternative. Generally speaking, the bears live in harmony and, although they are reputed to be solitary animals, both Sloth Bears and Brown Bears (in Canada) do congregate together when there are ample food supplies. Unlike Brown Bears, however, Sloth Bears will also gather together even in the absence of food. Siblings will sometimes stay together for a period ranging from a few weeks to a year, and even unrelated bears have been found to pair up for varying periods of time. Major aggression is reserved for enemies such as tigers, leopards, wild dogs, elephants and rhinos, or when a conflict occurs because of confrontation with humans. An interesting incident occurred when a Sloth Bear encountered a jackal in India (Valmik Thapar). The Sloth Bear made a mock attack, then loped off pursued by the jackal. The bear could easily have killed the jackal. Instead, it gathered speed as it ran off, the jackal snapping at its hindquarters. The bear made no attempt to harm its pursuer, an indication, perhaps, that it is not by nature aggressive.

Barbara Hadley, M.Ed, BA(Hons)
Associate Member IUCN/SSC
Bear Specialist Group
http://www.iar.org.uk/media/downloads/iar-sloth-bears.pdf

taipan

 

From Dark Hyena :

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