MSc.

A field study was conducted to evaluate the ecology and feeding habits of
Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus). The study was conducted from February 2012 to
January 2013 in Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, Palakkad, Kerala.
There is a variation in the activity of Sloth Bear, between the habitats across
the season. During the monsoon season, the Sloth Bear activity was more in the
teak plantations (58.06%), followed by moist deciduous forest (19.35%). While
at summer season the Sloth Bear activity was more in the moist deciduous forest
(44.3%) followed by teak plantation (28.40%). The diet studies have shown that
Sloth Bear is omnivorous in its dietary preferences, with animal matter
dominating than the plant matter. Moreover, while the animal matter was fed by
the Sloth Bear round the year, the plant matter was fed only during the fruiting
season of the plants. About 10 natural plants such as Cassia jistula, Zizyphus
oenoplina, Glycosmis pentaphylla, Holigarna arnottiana, Ficus spp., Syzygium
cumini, Grewia tiliifolia, Mangifera indica, Bridelia retusa and Cordia
. .
dichotoma and some insects like ants, termites, beetles and bees were observed to
be consumed by Sloth Bear. These plant species were consumed in the form of,
ripe fruits and also their seeds. Among the plant species Cassiajistula (32.35%)
dominated the diet of Sloth Bear at Parambikulam TR which was followed by
Zizyphus oenoplia (25%) and Glycosmis pentaphylla (14.7%). Seasonality in the
plant food preference of Sloth Bear was observed. In the summer season the
Sloth Bear fed on the fruits of the plants such as Bridelia retusa, Cassia jistula,
Cordia dichotoma, Ficus spp., Glycosmis pentaphylla, Holigarna arnottiana and
Zizyphus oenoplia. In the monsoon season the Sloth Bear fed on the fruits of
Mangifera indica, Syzygium cumini and Grewia tiliifolia. The seeds collected
from the Sloth Bear seats at Parambikulam TR showed no physical damage to

most of the seeds (90%) and thus proved to be efficient seed dispersers. The
camera trap records revealed the solitary nature and crepuscular activity of Sloth
Bear. It was also found that the germination of the seeds enhanced when it passed
through the gut of the Sloth Bear, compared to the unpassed seeds. For ego the
Glycosmis pentaphylla and Zizyphus oenoplia seeds had a greater germination
percentage to the tune of 77.73% and 56.2% respectively for the seeds passed
through the Sloth Bear gut. Thus showing the significance of the Sloth Bear in
the forest functioning and the system dynamics. The three plant species that are
widely used by the Sloth Bear, such as the Cassia fistula, Glycosmis pentaphylla
and Zizyphus oenoplia (72.05%) may be used for the eco-restoration activity of
the Tiger reserve to facilitate the survival of the Sloth Bear.