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. 2022 Mar 6;12(3):e8699.
doi: 10.1002/ece3.8699. eCollection 2022 Mar.

Habitat occupancy of sloth bear Melursus ursinus in Chitwan National Park, Nepal

Rajan Prasad Paudel  1 , Rabin Kadariya  2 , Babu Ram Lamichhane  2 , Naresh Subedi  2 , Mariko Sashika  1 , Michito Shimozuru  1 , Toshio Tsubota  1
Affiliations

Habitat occupancy of sloth bear Melursus ursinus in Chitwan National Park, Nepal

Rajan Prasad Paudel et al. Ecol Evol. .

Abstract

Mammals have experienced a massive decline in their populations and geographic ranges worldwide. The sloth bear, Melursus ursinus (Shaw, 1791), is one of many species facing conservation threats. Despite being endangered in Nepal, decades of inattention to the situation have hindered their conservation and management. We assessed the distribution and patterns of habitat use by sloth bears in Chitwan National Park (CNP), Nepal. We conducted sign surveys from March to June, 2020, in 4 × 4 km grids (n = 45). We collected detection/non-detection data along a 4-km trail that was divided into 20 continuous segments of 200 m each. We obtained environmental, ecological, and anthropogenic covariates to understand determinants of sloth bear habitat occupancy. The data were analyzed using the single-species single-season occupancy method, with a spatially correlated detection. Using repeated observations, these models accounted for the imperfect detectability of the species to provide robust estimates of habitat occupancy. The model-averaged occupancy estimate for the sloth bear was 69% and the detection probability was 0.25. The probability of habitat occupancy by sloth bears increased with the presence of termites and fruits and in rugged, dry, open, undisturbed habitats. Our results indicate that the sloth bear is elusive, functionally unique, and widespread in CNP. Future conservation interventions and action plans aimed at sloth bear management must adequately consider their habitat requirements.

Keywords: Chitwan National Park; Nepal; habitat use; occupancy; sloth bear; wildlife conservation.

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Conflict of interest statement

No conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) female with cubs photographed in its natural habitat at Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Photo credit: Arjun Tamang
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Study area map showing location and land cover pattern of Chitwan national park
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Study area map showing the probability of sloth bear occupancy in Chitwan national park
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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