The first World Sloth Bear Day was observed on October 12, 2022. The day was observed to generate awareness and strengthen conservation efforts around the unique bear species endemic to the Indian subcontinent.
Key points
- A proposal for observing World Sloth Bear Day was mooted by Wildlife SOS India, and the IUCN-Species Survival Commission sloth bear expert team accepted the proposal and declared the day to be celebrated worldwide.
About Sloth Bear
- Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) has been classified as “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List. Sloth bears are endemic to the Indian sub-continent and 90% of the species population is found in India.
- Listed under Schedule I of the (Wildlife Protection) Act of India, 1972, the species has the same level of protection as tigers, rhinos and elephants.
- For a long time, sloth bears were exploited as dancing bears. Though the practice has been banned there are still a few cases of rescue.
- Over the past few years there has been a rise of incidents of human sloth bear conflict in States like Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra among other states.
(Source: The Hindu)
