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<p>Den site selection is a crucial function in the reproduction and survival of sloth bears (<i>Melursus ursinus</i>), yet remains poorly studied from unprotected and human-dominated landscapes. We investigated the ecological, topographic, and anthropogenic determinants of den site selection between Ratanmahal and Jambughoda wildlife sanctuaries in Gujarat, India. We identified 62 dens (41 resting, 21 maternal) in naturally occurring caves on rocky hillocks between May 2022 and November 2023. Using mixed-effect models, we found that den site selection was significantly influenced by terrain slope and distance from human settlements. Maternal dens occurred at higher elevations (219.2 ± 36.3&#xa0;m SE) compared to resting dens and were structurally more complex with multiple openings. Some dens were also occupied by other mammals, such as leopards, jungle cats, and porcupines. Such denning preferences in unprotected landscapes highlight the ecological adaptability of the population, which should be incorporated in landscape-level conservation planning and human-bear conflict management. </p>

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Into the bears’ lair: studying denning selection of sloth bears in India

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年11月18日

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  • Sarthak Chaudhary,
  • Vishal Patel,
  • Pratikkumar Desai,
  • Ashish Kumar Jangid,
  • Nishith Dharaiya,
  • Thomas Robert Sharp

摘要

Den site selection is a crucial function in the reproduction and survival of sloth bears (Melursus ursinus), yet remains poorly studied from unprotected and human-dominated landscapes. We investigated the ecological, topographic, and anthropogenic determinants of den site selection between Ratanmahal and Jambughoda wildlife sanctuaries in Gujarat, India. We identified 62 dens (41 resting, 21 maternal) in naturally occurring caves on rocky hillocks between May 2022 and November 2023. Using mixed-effect models, we found that den site selection was significantly influenced by terrain slope and distance from human settlements. Maternal dens occurred at higher elevations (219.2 ± 36.3 m SE) compared to resting dens and were structurally more complex with multiple openings. Some dens were also occupied by other mammals, such as leopards, jungle cats, and porcupines. Such denning preferences in unprotected landscapes highlight the ecological adaptability of the population, which should be incorporated in landscape-level conservation planning and human-bear conflict management.