Home range estimate of sloth bear using noninvasive camera-trap data

Abstract: Estimating home range size is an important aspect of ecological studies that helps in understanding species biology. The myrmecophagous sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) is one of the least studied large carnivores and is found in the Indian subcontinent with India being its stronghold. Despite its wide distribution in India, only one study has estimated its home range. In this study, we estimate the home range of a sloth bear using location data obtained through camera-trapping in Bannerghatta National Park in southern India during 2019 and 2020. A sloth bear was identified based on a unique marking on its pelage that was possibly caused by a wire snare. Using the minimum convex polygon and 40 camera-trap encounters, we estimated its home range to be ∼58 km2. Although camera-trapping was conducted to understand the population dynamics of leopards (Panthera pardus pardus), the data provided opportunistic information on nontarget species. Such byproduct data should be utilized to enhance our knowledge on various aspects of species biology.