Sloth Bear

[brotherbear]

*First posted by Ursus Arctos ( Administrator ) at Carnivora )... Sloth Bear Aggression
5. BEHAVIOUR
Sloth bears do have predators, notably wild dogs, leopards, tigers and humans, while elephants and rhinos also command respect. When threatened, Sloth bears may flee or make a “bluff” charge, stopping at the last minute and rising up on their hind legs to threaten. The charge rarely ends in a full-on confrontation. Like all bears, the Sloth bear prefers to avoid conflict with its own species, with other bear species and with other animals. It will avoid situations where it is likely to put itself in danger, but will fight if it has to, especially if the bear is a female with cubs. Although the Sloth bear is an agile climber, in threat situations it is likely to avoid trees as a means of escape, since predators may be lying in wait. Leopards, in particular, pose a danger, since they are also agile climbers. 
On the whole, Sloth bears are non-aggressive towards other bears and any marking behaviour would appear to be linked to social spacing rather than acting as a serious warning to other bears. The fact that Sloth bears, Asiatic Black bears and Sun bears can co-exist in the same ranges, indicates non-aggressive behaviour on the part of all three species. Fighting between males is rare. Should it happen, injuries can be severe and sometimes fatal. Flight is considered a better alternative.Generally speaking, the bears live in harmony and, although they are reputed to be solitary animals, both Sloth Bears and Brown Bears (in Canada) do congregate together when there are ample food supplies. Unlike Brown Bears, however, Sloth Bears will also gather together even in the absence of food. Siblings will sometimes stay together for a period ranging from a few weeks to a year, and even unrelated bears have been found to pair up for varying periods of time. Major aggression is reserved for enemies such as tigers, leopards, wild dogs, elephants and rhinos, or when a conflict occurs because of confrontation with humans. An interesting incident occurred when a Sloth Bear encountered a jackal in India (Valmik Thapar). The Sloth Bear made a mock attack, then loped off pursued by the jackal. The bear could easily have killed the jackal. Instead, it gathered speed as it ran off, the jackal snapping at its hindquarters. The bear made no attempt to harm its pursuer, an indication, perhaps, that it is not by nature aggressive.

Barbara Hadley, M.Ed, BA(Hons) 
Associate Member IUCN/SSC 
Bear Specialist Group 
http://www.iar.org.uk/media/downloads/iar-sloth-bears.pdf Reply