The census revealed that the sloth bears have made the Dharoi-Satlasana belt and the Kheralu region, both in Mehsana, their permanent homes. The census suggests that the population is stable. Previously, only one or two wandering sloth bears could be spotted in these areas.
Similarly, in South Gujarat, the sloth bear population has stabilized in Dahod, Chhota Udepur and Devgadh Baria. These are the bears’ new domains. Recently, a man returning from his field was attacked in Pavi Jetpur by a bear. The meeting, according to experts, indicated an increase in the population of the animals.
Senior forest department officials said sightings were increasing in sloth bear corridors across the state in Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, Mehsana, Chhota Udepur, Panchmahal, Vadodara, Dahod and Narmada districts.
Sources involved in the census said the second leg of the exercise was affected by rain. Thus, they speculate that some animals may not have ventured into the waterholes where officials were deployed to record the count. “The count may not be completely accurate,” an official said. “Usually wildlife counts are done in May. This time it was delayed for a month.
Sources said the department will have to rely mainly on the Poornima Avalokan, which was conducted in May, and the tally from the first round of the census. The Avalokan was not an official census. The sloth bear census was planned for 2021 but could not be carried out due to the Covid pandemic.
Sources, however, said internal assessments from Forestry Department divisions and sightings had indicated the sloth bear population was around 400. The figure was confirmed by the first round of the census.
Officials said it appears the sloth bear population has increased by 15-17%, a similar jump to that recorded during the 2011-2016 period. In 2011, the number was 293, and it rose to 342 in 2016.
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