Movement of Asiatic Black Bear: Sign Survey Evidence from Kaghan and Siran Valleys, Pakistan

Population abundance and movement of Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) was investigated at Kaghan and Siran Valleys, District Mansehra. Population estimation was carried out by taking transact method, data were collected from 33 transacts; among these 18 were present in Kaghan and 15 in Siran Valley. Total 1858 signs recorded during the survey; among these Dig marks (1213), Pugmarks (18), Claw marks (134), Hair samples (65), Scat samples (11), Plants uprooting (186), Stone replacing (62), Bark off (98), Place of livestock's killing (14), Crop damages (16), Coarse wood damages (35), Setting place (2) and Bees nest damaging (4). An average of 49.95 signs/Km(2) was recorded; this is a very high encounter rate comparatively. According to BBC Science and Nature, size of the home range of Asiatic black bear is 10 to 20 km(2) , so we recommend that there is more than 19 black bear present in both valleys, most of their population have been moved from Kaghan to Siran Valley. The age of the claw marks was calculated to find out movements of bear, it is divided into four categories, among these the highest are recent marks (45.08%) followed by fresh marks (32.78). As a result of this research, we point that the population of Asiatic black bear was moved from Kaghan to Siran valley due to server disturbance and habitat degradation in Kaghan valley in the last few years.