Research Article | Published: 01 September 2010

Human mauling behaviour of Sloth Bear, in Banaskantha district, North Gujarat, India

Tana Mewada, Nisith Dharaiya and Shyamala Ratnayeke

Indian Journal of Forestry | Volume: 33 | Issue: 3 | Page No. 323-328 | 2010
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps1000-2010-6J39CP | Cite this article

Abstract

The Banasknatha forest division in Gujarat harbours a large number of Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) in spite of highly patchy, fragmented and degraded forests, high human population in adjacent villages, enormous agricultural expansion and continuous encroachment on bear habitat, and high cattle grazing pressure. As a result, attacks on human beings and agricultural crop damage by Sloth Bears are sharply evident. Although, Sloth Bears are unpredictable in their attacking behaviour, therefore, it is very important to understand the attacking and mauling behaviour and activity pattern of Sloth Bears, which may help develop the local people to avoid Bears. Forty-seven human injuries occurred from 1968 - 2008 and most of these incidences took place when Bears were active. Information about the attacking behaviour and the nature of human injuries had been collected by intriguing interviews with the mauled victims. In 58% cases, the Sloth Bear charged spontaneously, during daytime, and then attacked repeatedly. Four casualties occurred when a mother and cub(s) were together, 43 attacks were by a single bear. Injuries to the victims included injury to hands (upper half) and legs (lower half), due mainly to biting and used claws (n = 29) and injuries to the head, forehead, face, and body (n =18).

Keywords

Agricultural expansion, Degraded forest, Human Population, Attacking behaviour, Den site, Man bear conflict, Wildlife management

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How to cite

Mewada, T., Dharaiya, N. and Ratnayeke, S., 2010. Human mauling behaviour of Sloth Bear, in Banaskantha district, North Gujarat, India. Indian Journal of Forestry, 33(3), pp.323-328. https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps1000-2010-6J39CP

Publication History

Manuscript Published on 01 September 2010

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