The Status of Nepal's Mammals: The National Red List Series - IUCN

61
female for two to three years before dispersing.
Longevity is between 20-30 years.
Conservation Status
Global: Least Concern
National: Critically Endangered C2a(i); D
Rationale for assessment: The Brown Bear (Ursus
arctos) has been assessed as Critically Endangered
in Nepal under Criterion C and D in view of a small
population which consists of fewer than 20 mature
individuals and is anticipated to decline by at least
25% in the next three years due to the threats of
persecution, habitat loss and degradation caused
by human disturbance and livestock grazing, factors
which will also affect the bears prey species. Brown
Bears do occur in neighbouring areas of China,
however it is not yet clear if they travel across the
border. Furthermore, due to the continued threats
in Nepal it may be unlikely that individuals would
be able to successfully re-colonise.
Legal Status
CITES Appendix I
National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 2029
(1973).
National Population Size
Total: 20 (estimated)
Trend: Declining
The population of Brown Bear in Nepal is estimated
to be as few as 20 individuals and considered to be
in decline.
National Distribution
This species is now only present in the higher
elevations of Mustang (Surkhang, Chhosher and
Ghemi VDCs) within the Annapurna Conservation
Area and Manaslu Conservation Area (Samdo and
Chhekampar VDCs). The first official sightings
and video footage of Brown Bear in Nepal were
recorded in Upper Mustang in September 2007.
Distribution outside Nepal
Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria,
Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bhutan, Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Czech
Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Greece,
India, Iraq, Islamic Republic of Iran, Italy, Japan,
Kazakhstan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,
Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, the Former Yugoslav Republic
of Macedonia, Mongolia, Montenegro, Norway,
Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation,
Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Tajikistan,
Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United States, and
Uzbekistan.
Main Threats
• Poaching.
• Human wildife conflict and persecution.
• Habitat loss and degradation due to human
settlements, clearing for agriculture and
livestock over-grazing.
• Reduction of prey base.
• Inbreeding.
Conservation Measures in Place
Village development level ‘Conservation Area
Management Committees’ formed in the
Conservation Areas in order to protect the
biodiversity and sustainable use of natural
resources. Regular training and awareness
programme launched since the inception of the
Conservation Areas in order to safeguard the
species.
Conservation Recommendations
i) Carry out further surveys to confirm whether the
species breeds in Nepal, their migration patterns
and the possibility of a rescue effect from
populations in Tibet.
ii) Implement education and awareness
programmes focussing on this species, use positive
myths and beliefs of the region to support this.
iii) Mitigate human-bear conflict, providing/advising
locals with non-fatal methods of deterrent.
iv) Develop trans-boundary conservation initiatives.