ASSESSING HABITAT USE BY SUN BEARS IN NAMDAPHA TIGER RESERVE, ARUNACHAL PRADESH, INDIA

Malayan sun bear is one of the least known species, the population of which has dramatically decreased. Their habitat loss was considered the main reason for the decline during the last decade, but their habitat preferences are still not well known. The habitat use by sun bear was assessed based on direct sightings and indirect evidences such as claw marks, scats, nests, dens, digging sign and foot prints etc. in Namdapha Tiger Reserve. Six variables, namely elevation, slope, vegetation cover, distance to water, human disturbance and terrain type were used to measure habitat conditions for the bear sign locations sampled during the field surveys. The data on habitat use by sun bears collected from the 430 sample plots along the 43 transects showed maximum number of plots with bear signs in Tropical semi-evergreen forest. Comparing the distribution of individual location points in different habitats to the habitat composition of home ranges did not reveal habitat preferences of sun bear.