Identifying Corridors for Asiatic Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus) in a part of Eastern Himalayas, India

Abstract

Abstract One of the largest mammals of Sikkim state in India, the Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) are threatened by rapid modification of their once pristine natural habitats. Over the past few decades, Sikkim has suffered extensive loss of forest cover due to rapid urbanization and tourism activities. Consequently, the population of Black bears is constricted to smaller habitat patches fragmented by road networks and urban settlements. Designating corridors is crucial to maintaining gene flow and species range shift under changing environmental conditions. Identifying corridors and areas with high potential of Black bear movement becomes essential. This study identified corridors and pinch points between 8 different Protected areas for Ursus thibetanus using the MaxEnt and Circuitscape modelling approach. We used Black bear presence points (collected through Camera traps and sign surveys) and 24 environmental variables to identify the corridors. We mapped seven corridors and five pinch points essential to maintain black bear connectivity in the Sikkim Himalayas. Our model predicted pinch points near few settlement areas; Mangan, Dikchu, Pangthang, Kabi, Yuksum and Lachen. Notably, these areas also coincides with Black bear conflict zones from Sikkim. The output of this study will improve conservation and management strategies promoting the recovery of isolated habitat patches providing sustainable intervention measures for forest managers.