Introduction

The sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) is a bear species which can easily be seen at various safari destinations and forests of Madhya Pradesh. If we talk about bear species found in India, we can find few names like Asiatic Black bear, Himalayan Brown Bear, Malayan Sun Bear and Sloth bear. This species is called sloth bear due to their long nails like sloths have. At Madhya Pradesh, sloth bear population is not just limited to dense forests but they are also found near by country side areas which are close to some forested region thus we often heard news on man-animal conflicts. Due to their nocturnal nature, its sighting is more common after sunset and less during day light. At Central India region, their is chance of any confusion in recognizing them becasue here this is the only bear species present. Their medium sized body, shaggy coated dark black body with whitish "V" or "Y" shaped patch on chest, makes it easy to recognize them.

Where to search

When we are in Central India region, we can visit following national parks in search of sloth bears.

Good time to see

Although sloth bear sighting is possible at any time of the season, mostly at early morning or later evening hours but still their activity increases Feb-Mar-Apr period. It is a period when forests of Madhya Pradesh were blooming with juicy Mahua flowers whose smell can be sensed easily by anyone, by sloth bear also and thus it became the favourite place for many animal species like spotted deer, sloth bear, grey langur, sambar deer etc. At village areas, human beings mostly collect the fallen flowers thus animals get less chance but in forest areas, they get more freedom to come and consume it. Here we also need to understand that Sloth bears are not just seen in core zone but more frequently seen in buffer zones.

Marks of presence

While doing jungle safaris at Madhya Pradesh national parks, you must stop near by cold places like sites nearby water holes, rocky cliff sites, waterfall sites etc. At majority of such sites, we will find presence of Arjun tree and many times they have bee-hives on them. Just have a look over the trunk of these trees, if you notice 3-4 parallel lined scratch marks on barks, from bottom to top which shows that this tree has been climbed by sloth bears, in search of honey. This can be well observed at Pandav fall site of Panna national park. Similarly damaged termite hills in forests like Kanha national park, Panna national park also proves their presence. Sometimes we will notice their pugmarks also, while doing jeep safaris.

About

Please check below given table to learn some vital details and characteristic features.