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

Sloth bears (Melursus ursinus) occupy approximately 69% of Chitwan National Park, Nepal, with their presence strongly linked to rugged, undisturbed habitats rich in termites and fruits. The study used sign surveys across 45 grids and 200-meter trail segments, analyzing detection/non-detection data while accounting for imperfect detectability. Environmental factors like terrain and food availability emerged as critical determinants of habitat occupancy, highlighting the species' elusive yet widespread distribution. These findings underscore the need for conservation strategies that prioritize undisturbed ecosystems to protect this endangered mammal.

Paudel, R. P., Kadariya, R., Lamichhane, B. R., Subedi, N., Sashika, M., Shimozuru, M., & Tsubota, T. (2022). Habitat occupancy of sloth bear Melursus ursinus in Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Ecology and Evolution, 12(3). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.8699