Malayan Sun Bear

Measurement

Head to body length

Shoulder Head and body (male, female between 100 and 140 centimeters),

Body weight (kg)

Body weight (kg) : 25–65

Justification

Sun Bear (Helarctos malayanus) is listed as Vulnerable as there is reason to believe that the species has declined by at least 30% over the past 3 generations due primarily to hunting and habitat loss. Over the coming 50 years, this decline rate is likely to reach similar proportions due to continuing habitat loss and trade demand. Although there are sun bears still occurring countrywide, the sun bear population in Myanmar will be continuing to decline due to the threats.

POPULATION & HABITAT

Wild population

Trend

declining

Myanmar population

Unknown

Global population

Unknown

Details

The generation length for Helarctos malayanus is 10 years. It is difficult to estimate the population of either bear species, even in surveyed areas. However, indices such as relative abundance from each survey site can provide some information on relative status. According to Forest Resource Assessment by FAO, during 1975 2010, Myanmar lost around 50% of its closed forest area which are the main habitat of the species. Overall, this suggests that population trends for this species are declining, with an inferred population reduction of more than 30% over the past three generations, a trend which is projected to occur at a similar rate into the future.

Habitat ecology

Sun Bears are a forest-dependent species, favoring interior mature and/or heterogeneously structured primary forests (Augeri 2005).

Distribution

Threats to survival

Hunting for meat, trophies, medicine and live trade, illegal logging and road construction causing habitat fragmentation and degradation.

Instruction: The visualization shows threats that are impacting each species. According to IUCN, direct threats are the proximate human activities or processes that have impacted, are impacting, or may impact the the status of the taxon being assessed. Click of the highlighted icons to see details each threat category.

Use and trade

Hunting for meat, medicine and live trade.

Conservation Actions

Research

Research undertaken

H. malayanus is listed as completely protected species according to the Conservation of Biodiversity and Protected Area Law (2018). Law enforcement, public awareness, population estimation, distribution study were conducted recently in Myanmar.

Research needed

Need to establish a Bear Action Plan and technical support for bear population size.

Assessed by

Zarni Aung,Kyaw Khaung Thant Zin,Toe Tet Zeya,Htet Arkar Aung,Sapai Min,Margaret Nyein Nyein Myint

Reviewed by

James Tallant,Monica Böhm

references

Resources

National Redlist of Threatened Species in Myanmar

PDF

The Myanmar National Red List of threatened species contributes to the GEF funded “Strengthening Sustainability of Protected Area Management in Myanmar” project. To support the National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan (2015-2020), Target 12 for commitment to prevent the extinction of known threatened species and improve their conservation status, the National Red List of some selected taxa has been produced. This report summarizes the assessment process and its results with detailed descriptions for some selected threatened species in Myanmar.

Download

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Extinction risk