Wildlife Institute of India to Conduct Nationwide Survey of All Four Bear Species

The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) will launch a systematic effort to assess the population sizes of the country's four bear species – sloth bear, Himalayan black bear, brown bear and sun bear – across their natural ranges.
The survey will combine camera‑trap networks, genetic sampling of hair and scat, and direct field observations, coordinated with state forest departments and wildlife NGOs over the next two years.
Accurate population data is essential for shaping effective conservation measures, especially as several bear populations confront habitat loss, poaching pressures and increasing human‑wildlife conflict.
The initiative is funded by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, with technical support from international conservation partners, and its findings will feed into future revisions of the Wildlife Protection Act.