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. 2023 Jul 7;9(7):e18052.
doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18052. eCollection 2023 Jul.

Altitudinal distribution and seasonal migration of asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) in kaghan and Siran Valleys, Pakistan

Zaib Ullah  1   2 , Amir Said  3 , Abdul Majid Khan  3 , Asad Ullah  1 , Shumaila Noreen  4 , Sajid Mahmood  5
Affiliations

Altitudinal distribution and seasonal migration of asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) in kaghan and Siran Valleys, Pakistan

Zaib Ullah et al. Heliyon. .

Retraction in

Abstract

The Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) is considered one of the largest carnivores inhabiting different territories including coniferous and broad-leaved forests, extending from sea level to the elevation of 4300 m. The Kaghan and Siran Valleys in Pakistan's District Mansehra were the location of the current study. To evaluate the altitudinal distribution and seasonal movement of Asiatic black bears in the region, we used three approaches (sign distribution survey, questionnaire-based survey, and scat collecting). A total of 1858 bear signs were observed during the field survey, the highest number of signs was dig marks (1213) followed by plant uprooting. Dig marks (MER: 7.574) were observed repeatedly in each potential site of both valleys followed by plant uprooting (MER: 1.594). Similarly, the altitudinal distribution of black bears was determined through the frequency of signs concerning elevation (m). Elevation of the study area ranged from 1300 to 3500 m and the most abundant population was recorded at the elevation of 2501-3000 m followed by 2001-2500 m. About 52% of local communities encountered black bears during the summer season in the field followed by Spring (23%.8) and winter (15.3%). Manshi Reserver forest (24.5%) from Kaghan and Panjul Reserve forest (31.6) from Siran Valley are the potential summer migratory spots. Eleven scat samples were collected with a 0.103 encounter rate (ER). Most of the scats (about 70%) were observed within the maize crop field in the summer season at low elevation, while just 30% of the scat was observed in the winter season in the forest.

Keywords: Seasonal migration; Sign survey; Transect; Ursus thibetanus; altitudinal distribution.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Study area; Siran and Kaghan Valleys of District Mansehra.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Various signs of black bears in both valleys.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Mean Encounter rate (MER) of bear signs.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Altitudinal distribution of all bear signs (Mean encounter rate) from both valleys.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Response of the local community towards seasonal encountering with black bear.
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Seasonal variation of black bear is associated with altitudinal distribution in both valleys.
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References

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