The Hindu : International / Briefly : Sun bear on red list

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 14, 2007
ePaper

International

International - Briefly

Sun bear on red list

London: The smallest species of bear, the sun bear, has been included on the red list of threatened species for the first time, the World Conservation Union (IUCN) said on Monday. Its inclusion on the list raises the number of bear species considered threatened from five to six, the IUCN said in its annual report. There are eight species of bear and the conservation status of seven of them has been updated. Despite considerable conservation efforts in China, the giant panda remains the sole bear species considered endangered while five others are considered vulnerable: the Asiatic black bear, the sloth bear, the Andean bear, the polar bear and the sun bear. Only the brown bear and the American black bear are not at risk. The sun bear, which lives in south-east Asia, Sumatra and Borneo, was previously listed as “data deficient”. The IUCN bear specialist group, which announced its findings after a meeting in Mexico at the weekend, estimates sun bears have declined by at least 30 per cent in 30 years. “Although we still have a lot to learn about the biology and ecology of this species, we are quite certain that it is in trouble,” said Rob Steinmetz, the co-chairman of the group’s sun bear expert team. “Deforestation has reduced both the area and quality of their habitat. Where habitat is now protected, commercial poaching remains a significant threat.” — © Guardian Newspapers Limited, 2007

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International

News Update

Stories in this Section

Full bench formed to hear pleas against Emergency

Pakistan rejects threat

LTTE’s bunker line destroyed

Solidarity with Bhagwandas

Paris Hilton seeks to save drinking Indian elephants

The Net Spider-Man

5,000 escaped crocodiles add to Vietnam flood woes

Blast rocks Manila

Sun bear on red list