Consider the following statements regarding the Himalayan Black Bear: ...
An animal keeper died after being attacked by a Himalayan black bear in the animal’s enclosure at Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP) recently.
About Himalayan Black Bear:
- It is a subspecies of the Asian black bear.
- Scientific Name: Ursus thibetanus laniger
- Distribution:
- They live a lot in the Himalayas, in Tibet, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and China.
- In India, they are found throughout the Himalayas, from Jammu & Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh, and in hilly regions of other north- eastern states.
- Habitat:
- The species prefers heavily forested, broadleaved, and coniferous forests as habitat.
- It uses orchards, agricultural fields, and human habitation to move between forest patches.
- Features:
- It has soft and shiny hair, with a white V patch on their chest.
- On average, they range from1.4 to 1.7 metres in length and weigh from 90 to 200 kg (the higher figure only likely just prior to hibernation).
- Life span: 25 to 30 years in the wild.
- Food: They are omnivorous creatures (like most bears). Their diet consists of acorns, nuts, fruit, honey, roots, and various insects such as termites and beetle larvae.
- Behaviour: Naturally diurnal but many are largely nocturnal in order to avoid contact with humans.
- Conservation Status:
IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
Hence only statement 2 is correct.
Consider the following statements regarding the Himalayan Black Bear: ...
The correct answer is option 'B' - Statement 2 only.
Explanation:
Himalayan Black Bear is a species of bear found in the Himalayan region. Let's evaluate each statement separately:
1. It is found only in the Western Himalayas: This statement is incorrect. The Himalayan Black Bear is found in various regions of the Himalayas, including not only the Western Himalayas but also the Eastern Himalayas and the Central Himalayas. They have a wide distribution range that spans across several countries, including India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, and Pakistan.
2. It is an omnivorous species: This statement is correct. The Himalayan Black Bear is indeed an omnivorous species. It has a varied diet that includes both plant matter and animal prey. They primarily feed on fruits, berries, nuts, leaves, and roots. However, they are also known to consume insects, small mammals, birds, and carrion when available.
Therefore, only statement 2 is correct, and the correct answer is option 'B' - 2 only.
In summary:
- Statement 1 is incorrect as the Himalayan Black Bear is found in various regions of the Himalayas, not just the Western Himalayas.
- Statement 2 is correct as the Himalayan Black Bear is an omnivorous species, feeding on both plant matter and animal prey.
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