The most common or widespread bear species in India is the Sloth Bear. These curious looking animals are members of the bear family, and they do not hibernate unlike their larger cousins : The Himalayan Black Bear and the Himalayan Brown Bear.
The Black Bear is larger than the Sloth bear and has a more uniform coat . While they may look extremely cute, they are dangerous mammals that can protect themselves. Photo credit : Vivek Gopalakrishnan. Location : Dachigam National Park.
Introducing the Asiatic Black Bear
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Where to find it in India
The Black Bear is found in the Himalayan forests in Northern India in Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Meghalaya.
They are generally found at altitudes that lie between 1300 to 3500 metres above sea level. However, there are rare records at Chitwan National Park in Nepal at lower altitudes than these as well.
Best Place to see the Black Bear in India is Dachigam National Park in Srinagar, which is in Kashmir : from April to October.
A couple of beautiful black bears forage for oak, as we watch hidden in the bushes.
About the Black Bear in India :
The Black bear is characterised by its distinct white coloured "V" around its neck. Their coat is uniformly black and they are really stunning animals.
They usually hibernate during the winter months from November to March, and get rather active from April right until the end of October these days owing to climate change and of course availability of food close by due to human presence.
They are omnivorous and forage on the ground as well as on trees. They are extremely stealthy and sit silently high up on the trees feeding on fruit and seeds. They also make comfortable bedding using branches and leaves where they can rest their bottoms as they feed on tiny things to sustain their large bodies.
Males can weigh over 200 kgs on the higher limit and females can cross 100kg as well.
They are mostly active during the early morning, late evening, and through the night.
At Dachigam, Black Bears share their habitat with the stunning though critically endangered Hangul or Kashmir Red Deer, both of which can be seen in lower altitudes during the summer time. Dachigam is one of the only places to see the Hangul and Dachigam is the best place to see the Hangul in the wild.
Brown Bears, Musk Deer, Himalayan Langur, and Wild Pigs are also amongst the key species found in the mixed forest and alpine meadows of Dachigam.
However, the best place to see Brown Bears in India is Drass, which is a 4 to 5 hour drive away from Dachigam or from Srinagar.
Some images of the beautiful and interesting Dachigam National Park in Srinagar :
Introducing the Himalayan Brown Bear
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Where to find it in India
The Brown Bear in India is considerably larger than the Sloth Bear and the Black Bear in India.
The Brown Bear is gorgeous and blends in so well with its rocky surroundings. Trans Himalayan landscape and its beauty is home to some splendid animals such as Snow Leopard, Ibex, Wolf, Gazelle, Musk Deer etc.
Male Brown Bears can weigh up to 600 kg's. They feed as much as they can before the winter hits.
About the Brown Bear in India :
These large mammals are omnivorous in nature and are known to hunt and scavenge on large herbivores as well. They often lift cattle, and their keen sense of smell and high intelligence allows them to even steal livestock, food, and crops around human settlements.
Similar to Black Bears, the Brown Bears hibernate from November to April. Climate change and human interference is reducing their hibernation time as well.
The Himalayan Brown Bear is critically endangered and survives in Trans Himalayan and Himalayan Mountain regions of Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, in India.
Best Place to see the Brown Bear in India is at Drass in Kargil, which is in Ladakh : from April to October .
Kargil is part of the Trans Himalayan region. Most well known due to the Kargil War fought between India and Pakistan, where India claimed victory from the jaws of defeat against Pakistan. It lives in every Indian's memory.
Today there is peace in Kargil, an the Brown Bears have returned. This beautiful landscape has stunning views at every turn.
There really isn't a place like the Trans Himalayas, it is stunning and unique. Here are some images of Brown Bear habitat of Western Ladakh during the Summer(September 2023) :
Join us for a Brown Bear and Black Bear expedition safari in the mountains of India for an unforgettable wildlife experience in India! Contact us here.
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