BEAR and CIC to study bears in Wilpattu
Biodiversity Education and Research (BEAR) with the Research and
Training Division of the Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Sri
Lanka Business and Biodiversity(B and B) Platform (of the Ceylon Chamber
of Commerce) have undertaken a project to evaluate population density
and composition of sloth bears in the Wilpattu National Park, where
anecdotal evidence suggests that a healthy population of bears is
maintained.
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Signing of the tri-partite agreement between BEAR, CIC Holdings
and the Sri Lanka Business
and Biodiversity Platform. From left: Ranil Nanayakkara of BEAR,
Harin Malwatte
of CCC and Samantha Ranatunga of CIC Holdings. |
This research is financially supported by CIC Holdings PLC. With the
use of camera traps and bear footprint data, individual bears will be
identified and analysed to determine their habitat needs.
The information generated through this study could be applied
islandwide in subsequent conservation efforts. The Sri Lanka B and B
Platform has been set up as a joint initiative of CCC, IUCN and Dilmah
Conservation.
"The sloth bear is one of Sri Lanka's most iconic large mammal
species and is included in 'Sri Lanka's big five'. It has also earned
the reputation as being one of the most dangerous animals in the wilds
of Sri Lanka. However, it is also one of the most elusive animals and
during the recent past, sightings of bears have been alarmingly few and
far between," a project spokesman said. |
