Feeding Ecology of Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) in Himalaya
(Poster)
SEE PEER REVIEW
Mr. Anil Regmi
Many threatened and endangered animals face nutritional challenges that must be considered when designing strategies for their conservation and recovery, both for wild and captive populations. Here, the diet and proximate nutritional content of the leaves of plants consumed by Asiatic black bears were estimated in Api Nampa Conservation Area, Nepal during both summer and winter seasons. Nutritional geometry also was used to explore the macronutrient balance of leaves of plants species consumed by Asiatic black bear. Results of the study suggested that at least ten different types of plants species were found in winter Asiatic black bear scats, which were similar and highly correlated with summer diet. Arundinaria spp. was the main species found in Asiatic black bear scats from both seasons. The nutritional contents of the leaves of plants consumed by Asiatic black bear varied by species and season, with the highest protein content found in Halhale, fat in Rehum, and carbohydrate in Arundinaria spp., leaves in both seasons. Leaves of the most consumed species (Arundinaria spp.) showed decreased protein and ash content from summer to winter. The macronutrient balance of all leaves combined was close in nutrient balance to the most frequently consumed Arundinaria spp. in both summer and winter. The summer leaves were higher in protein and lipid than the winter leaves, while the winter leaves were higher in carbohydrate. Asiatic black bear rely mainly on Arundinaria spp. as a food source in both seasons so Asiatic black bear habitats including Arundinaria spp. should be protected properly to in order to conserve Asiatic black bear in their natural habitat.