The recent events involving the unfortunate death of two sloth bears at the Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, have brought attention to India’s unique wildlife and conservation efforts. The cause of the deaths is not yet confirmed, and an investigation is underway. Earlier, a 28-year-old Himalayan black bear had also passed away, possibly due to old age, given that bears live up to approximately 30 years on average.
Overview of Nandankanan Zoological Park
Nandankanan Zoological Park sits just 15 kilometers away from the capital of Odisha, Bhubaneswar. Since its inauguration in 1960, it has marked several milestones in care and conservation of wildlife. Notably, it was the first zoo in India to become a member of the World Association of Zoos & Aquariums (WAZA), a global alliance of institutions dedicated to wildlife care and habitat conservation worldwide.
The park is well-known for its successful breeding programs for several species, including the Indian pangolin and white tiger. It also takes the credit as the world’s first captive crocodile breeding centre, where gharials were bred in captivity in 1980. Other animals bred here include leopards, mouse deer, lions, ratels, and vultures.
Adding to its accolades, the State Botanical Garden of Nandankanan serves as one of Odisha’s foremost plant conservation and nature education centres.
Profile of the Sloth Bears:
Known scientifically as Melursus ursinus, the sloth bear is also endearingly referred to as the honey bear or Hindi bhalu. This species is part of the family Ursidae, which comprises eight species of bears.
Sloth bears are native to the tropical or subtropical regions of India and Sri Lanka, where they typically reside in forest habitats. However, their population is listed as ‘Vulnerable’ in the IUCN Red List and also appears under Appendix I in CITES listing, and Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
This species faces several threats such as habitat loss, poaching for body parts, and capture for use in performances or hunting due to their aggressive behavior and crop destruction.
Profile of the Himalayan Black Bear:
The Asiatic black bear, scientifically known as Ursus thibetanus, is native to mountainous and heavily forested areas across southern and eastern Asia. Its protection status mirrors that of the sloth bear, being labeled ‘Vulnerable’ by the IUCN, and listed under Appendix I in CITES and Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Himalayan Black Bears face grave threats due to illegal hunting for body parts, specifically the gallbladder and paws. The pursuit of them for their skin also poses a significant challenge to their survival. Habitat loss caused by logging, human settlement expansion, and road development further adds to these pressures.
While the recent deaths at Nandankanan Zoological Park are tragic, they underscore the importance of continued conservation efforts and improved understanding of these unique bear species.