Experts warn sharp population fall amid deforestation, human–wildlife conflict, and illegal trade. The Balochistan black bear, particularly, faces critical risk with fewer than 50 mature individuals remaining. Conservationists call for urgent habitat protection and community-led solutions
Pakistan’s bear populations are rapidly declining under the combined pressures of shrinking habitats, rising poaching, expanding infrastructure, and escalating human–wildlife conflict, pushing several species toward local extinction and raising alarms among conservationists.
Wildlife experts estimate that bear numbers in Pakistan have dropped by 20–30 per cent over the past decade, although the absence of comprehensive nationwide surveys makes precise figures difficult to determine. Today, fewer than 2,500 bears are believed to remain across the country, with some subspecies facing an existential threat.
Pakistan is home to two main bear species: the Himalayan brown bear and the Asiatic black bear. The latter is further divided into the Himalayan black bear and the Balochistan black bear, each inhabiting distinct ecological zones ranging from the temperate forests of northern Pakistan to the arid mountains of Balochistan.
Vanishing from Traditional Habitats
According to wildlife experts, bears have disappeared from several regions where they were once found in significant numbers, underscoring the scale of the crisis. Habitat degradation driven by deforestation, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure development has fragmented forests and pushed bears into closer contact with human settlements.
As human populations expand into forested landscapes, bears are increasingly forced into conflict-prone areas, where they raid crops, prey on livestock, or wander into villages in search of food. These encounters often result in retaliatory killings, further accelerating population decline.
Researchers note that the Asiatic black bear, once widespread across Asia, is now increasingly fragmented in Pakistan, with populations scattered across isolated habitats that are becoming smaller and less viable over time.
A Subspecies on the Edge
Among the most vulnerable is the Balochistan black bear, whose population has dwindled to fewer than 50 mature individuals, making it one of the least studied and most endangered large carnivores in the country.
The combined population of Himalayan and Balochistan black bears is estimated at between 1,000 and 1,500 individuals. he Himalayan brown bear survives in small, isolated pockets in northern Pakistan.
One of the most stable brown bear populations is found in Deosai National Park in Gilgit-Baltistan, where conservation initiatives have helped stabilize numbers. However, experts warn that such success stories remain rare amid broader ecological decline.
Poaching and Illegal Trade
Despite legal protections, poaching remains a major threat. Bear cubs are frequently targeted in early spring when dens are accessible, with poachers reportedly using fires to force bears out of their shelters before killing adults and capturing cubs. The cubs are often sold for illegal entertainment practices such as bear dancing or bear-baiting.
In addition to entertainment-related exploitation, bears are hunted for their pelts, fat, and bile. Bear bile, used in traditional medicine for centuries, is believed to treat liver disorders and other ailments, although its extraction is widely condemned for cruelty and ecological damage.
Conservationists argue that the continued demand for bear parts, combined with weak enforcement of wildlife laws, has created a lucrative black market that fuels poaching networks across remote regions.
Ecological Consequences
Experts warn that the decline of bears poses serious ecological risks because bears play a crucial role as keystone and umbrella species. Their presence supports ecosystem functions such as seed dispersal, scavenging, insect regulation, and forest regeneration.
A reduction in bear populations could disrupt these natural processes, leading to long-term ecological imbalance and signalling broader biodiversity loss across Pakistan’s forest ecosystems.
Calls for Urgent Conservation Action
Wildlife specialists emphasize that reversing the decline of Pakistan’s bears will require a comprehensive strategy combining habitat protection, community engagement, and stronger law enforcement.
Key measures proposed by experts include restoring degraded habitats, mitigating human–wildlife conflict through compensation schemes and non-lethal deterrents, protecting bear dens, and establishing long-term monitoring programs.
Community-based conservation initiatives are also seen as critical, as local communities often live closest to bear habitats and can play a vital role in safeguarding wildlife if provided with economic incentives and awareness programs.
“Without immediate and coordinated action, Pakistan risks losing some of its most iconic wildlife species,” conservationists warn, noting that the fate of bears reflects the broader health of the country’s ecosystems.
Broader Environmental Challenge
The crisis facing Pakistan’s bears is part of a wider environmental challenge confronting the country, where rapid urbanisation, climate change, and unsustainable resource use are placing unprecedented pressure on natural habitats.
As forests shrink and ecosystems fragment, the survival of large mammals such as bears increasingly depends on political will, scientific research, and public support for conservation.
For now, experts say the warning signs are unmistakable: without decisive intervention, Pakistan’s bears could slip irreversibly toward extinction, marking a profound loss not only for biodiversity but also for the ecological balance of the region.
Image: Wikimedia
