The census of sloth bears was completed last Wednesday in Gujarat including in Ratanmahal in Dahod and Jasore in Banaskantha, the largest sanctuaries for this species in the state. The census is expected to yield encouraging results by the month-end as the sloth bear population is expected to have gone up by at least 15 per cent, officials said, adding that this time tripping camera was used for the operation.
"The census process had two preliminary phases which lasted 16 hours. The final phase took 24 hours and was done on May 17 and 18," said assistant conservator of forest, Banaskantha, GP Prajapati. As per 2006 census figures, the number of sloth bears in Gujarat was 247 of which Ratanmahal sanctuary accounted for 66 bears. Jasore and Balaram in Ambaji and other forest areas in Banaskantha district had 69, Prajapati said.
"It is an uphill task to track sloth bears. They generally come out in the night or early morning," said an official sharing his 40-hour-long census experience.
"The Indian subcontinent is home to sloth bears, which prefer grasslands and forested areas at lower altitudes. Being extremely slow in movement, the animal is known as 'sloth' bear. It is fond of dates and honey. The mating period of sloth bears comes once in four years and is a fortnight-long. A female sloth bear delivers two to three cubs," the official added.
"The census process had two preliminary phases which lasted 16 hours. The final phase took 24 hours and was done on May 17 and 18," said assistant conservator of forest, Banaskantha, GP Prajapati. As per 2006 census figures, the number of sloth bears in Gujarat was 247 of which Ratanmahal sanctuary accounted for 66 bears. Jasore and Balaram in Ambaji and other forest areas in Banaskantha district had 69, Prajapati said.
"It is an uphill task to track sloth bears. They generally come out in the night or early morning," said an official sharing his 40-hour-long census experience.
"The Indian subcontinent is home to sloth bears, which prefer grasslands and forested areas at lower altitudes. Being extremely slow in movement, the animal is known as 'sloth' bear. It is fond of dates and honey. The mating period of sloth bears comes once in four years and is a fortnight-long. A female sloth bear delivers two to three cubs," the official added.
