Bear carcass found in Dooars, autopsy reveals starvation

Jalpaiguri: The carcass of a bear was found in Birpara in the Dooars on Sunday, its autopsy revealing that the animal died of starvation.
Wildlife experts find it difficult to believe as the Dooars is known for its lush greenery and abundance of food, which helps wildlife thrive.
“The post-mortem revealed that the animal died of starvation two days ago,” said Jalpaiguri divisional forest officer Mridul Kumar.
The carcass was found at the juncture of Dalmore forest and Makrapara tea estate in Alipurduar’s Birpara. This is close to the Bhutan Hills; it is believed that the bear climbed down the hills to reach the plains.
“Although it is hard to believe, we have to accept that the bear died of starvation,” said state wildlife advisory board member Animesh Bose. “This is because Asiatic Black Bears stay in higher altitudes, where they get their food from. In the plains, supply of food is not enough.”
According to Bose, “their regular depredations suggest that there has been a scarcity of food in the higher altitudes”. “I have talked to people who visit the upper areas. They told me that the storm and heavy shower during Lakshmi Puja significantly reduced bearing of fruits in higher altitudes that are the natural source of food for bears.”
Bose further said that the “Jalpaiguri divisional commissioner would often discuss issues with his Bhutanese counterpart in the past”. “But that has stopped now,” he continued. “Our government should take up the issue with Bhutan to find out what exactly has happened that is leading to bear depredations.”
A bear’s death due to starvation has been a depressing inclusion on a list of more upbeat firsts this year, such as the sighting of 18 Asiatic Black Bears in the Dooars and Darjeeling Hills within 25 days, followed by that of a Bengal Tiger, clicked in Buxa Tiger Reserve after almost three decades.