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<p>Understanding habitat use and dietary ecology sloth bears (<i>Melursus ursinus</i>) is important for conservation planning in human-use areas. This study was conducted in Gyanganga Wildlife Sanctuary, Maharashtra during the dry season of 2017. A total of 606 bear signs were recorded from the 134.3 km<sup>2</sup> area; digging signs (50.8%; n = 308) were the most prevalent. Linear Mixed-Effects Models indicated that elevation and distance from villages significantly influenced bear sign distribution, whereas habitat type showed no significant effect. Most signs were concentrated at elevations of 500–600&#xa0;m and at distances of 2–4&#xa0;km from villages. The study revealed that the bear consumed 13 different food items including ants (34.5%), followed by <i>Lantana camara</i> (15.7%), <i>Cassia fistula</i> (13.4%) and termites (9.3%). Among the fruits, selectivity index showed that sloth bear consumed <i>Cassia fistula</i> in a greater proportion than availability with fewer preferences for <i>Aegle marmelos</i> and <i>Ficus</i> sp. <i>And Diospyros melanoxylon</i> was less preferred than expected. These findings highlight the importance of elevation gradients, moderate human proximity, and seasonal fruit availability in shaping sloth bear habitat use and diet in dry deciduous forests.</p>

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Habitat Use and Dietary Preferences by Sloth Bears During the Dry Season in Gyanganga Wildlife Sanctuary, Maharashtra, India

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月8日

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  • Camillie Garcera,
  • Swapnil Sonone,
  • Sachinkumar Daraji,
  • Vishal Patel,
  • Pratikkumar Desai,
  • Nishith Dharaiya

摘要

Understanding habitat use and dietary ecology sloth bears (Melursus ursinus) is important for conservation planning in human-use areas. This study was conducted in Gyanganga Wildlife Sanctuary, Maharashtra during the dry season of 2017. A total of 606 bear signs were recorded from the 134.3 km2 area; digging signs (50.8%; n = 308) were the most prevalent. Linear Mixed-Effects Models indicated that elevation and distance from villages significantly influenced bear sign distribution, whereas habitat type showed no significant effect. Most signs were concentrated at elevations of 500–600 m and at distances of 2–4 km from villages. The study revealed that the bear consumed 13 different food items including ants (34.5%), followed by Lantana camara (15.7%), Cassia fistula (13.4%) and termites (9.3%). Among the fruits, selectivity index showed that sloth bear consumed Cassia fistula in a greater proportion than availability with fewer preferences for Aegle marmelos and Ficus sp. And Diospyros melanoxylon was less preferred than expected. These findings highlight the importance of elevation gradients, moderate human proximity, and seasonal fruit availability in shaping sloth bear habitat use and diet in dry deciduous forests.