Assessing Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) temporal overlap and co-occurrence with sympatric species in the temperate zone of the Hindu Raj Mountain range

Ecological research focused on Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) sympatric interactions is critical for understanding not only species coexistence, but also for devising effective conservation strategies. We studied the temporal overlap and co-occurrence patterns of the Asiatic black bear and ten of its sympatric species. Asiatic black bears and Asiatic jackals exhibited bimodal diel activity patterns, with activity peaks occurring during dusk and the night. The diel activity pattern of Asiatic black bear was significantly distinct from its sympatric species (P < 0.001). We found the highest temporal overlap of Asiatic black bear with red fox (Δ4 = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.68 – 0.89) followed by stone marten (Δ1 = 0.76. 95% CI = 0.64 – 0.87) and Indian crested porcupine (Δ1 = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.62 – 0.85). The lowest temporal overlap of the Asiatic black bear was recorded with rhesus monkey (Δ1 = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.27 – 0.50). Asiatic black bears avoided human activity times and had little activity overlap (Δ4 = 0.29, 95% CI = 0.19 – 0.39). Asiatic black bear was more likely to co-occur (Pgt < 0.05) with six other species than what we observed. This study's comprehensive insights into the adaptable behavior of Asiatic black bears, including their spatial and temporal overlap with sympatric species and the influence of environmental variables like forest cover and altitude, provide crucial guidance for wildlife managers and conservationists in designing effective conservation measures to protect habitat and mitigate human-wildlife conflicts, thereby ensuring the sustainable management and conservation of Asiatic black bears and the broader biodiversity of their temperate habitats.