Ian.Kate.Bruce's Wildlife
Bhalu the Sloth Bear
We like the Hindi name Bhalu, it is much more attractive for such an endearing bear than Sloth Bear, the name which was derived from the thought that they were related to the South American Sloths (wooly with long sickle claws and no upper middle incisors), which of course has persisted.
They have rather a depressing history of exploitation by man. Listed as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List they now have legal protection: the government of India have banned their use for entertainment and international trade is banned.
This one sighted at Ranthambore, Rajastan, India
Bhalu the Sloth Bear
We like the Hindi name Bhalu, it is much more attractive for such an endearing bear than Sloth Bear, the name which was derived from the thought that they were related to the South American Sloths (wooly with long sickle claws and no upper middle incisors), which of course has persisted.
They have rather a depressing history of exploitation by man. Listed as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List they now have legal protection: the government of India have banned their use for entertainment and international trade is banned.
This one sighted at Ranthambore, Rajastan, India