Black bear census in progress in Bengal
A 35-day census of the Himalayan black bear has been underway at Buxa Tiger Reserve and Jaldapara National Park in north Bengal, near the Indo-Bhutan birder, since November 1.
Thirty-five points in the Buxa Tiger Reserve, including Adama in the Buxa Hills, and the area from Toto Para to Lanka Para in the north of Jaldapara National Park are being surveyed.
Camera surveillance and various body parts that bears leave behind as they traverse, like claws and fur, are being used for the counting. The samples will be sent to a biology lab for genetic analysis.
According to the Bengal Forest Department, this is the first extensive Himalayan black bear census in the country. A preliminary survey was conducted last year.
In the last five years, it has been observed that Himalayan black bears have entered different areas of north Bengal during winter, posing threats to humans and also causing fatalities. Since their habitat are the high mountains and they hibernate in the high mountains during winter, the Forest Department is keen to understand why they are changing their behaviour, as this is endangering people.
Apurba Sen, Field Director, Buxa Tiger Reserve told the Millennium Post that this could be due to construction work in the mountainous regions of Bhutan.
