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\begin{document}

\title{Habitat occupancy of sloth bear Melursus ursinus in Chitwan National
Park, Nepal}



\author[1]{Rajan Paudel}%
\author[2]{Rabin Kadariya}%
\author[2]{Babu Ram Lamichhane}%
\author[2]{Naresh Subedi}%
\author[1]{Mariko Sashika}%
\author[1]{Michito Shimozuru}%
\author[1]{Toshio Tsubota}%
\affil[1]{Hokkaido University}%
\affil[2]{National Trust for Nature Conservation}%


\vspace{-1em}



  
  \date{May 18, 2024}


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\selectlanguage{english}
\begin{abstract}
Mammals have experienced a massive decline in their populations and
geographic ranges worldwide. The sloth bear,~\emph{Melursus
ursinus}~(Shaw, 1791), is one of many species facing conservation
threats. Despite being endangered in Nepal, decades of inattention to
the situation have hindered their conservation and management. We
assessed the distribution and patterns of habitat use by sloth bears in
Chitwan National Park (CNP), Nepal. We conducted sign surveys from March
to June, 2020, in 4 \selectlanguage{ngerman}× 4~km grids (\emph{n}~= 45). We collected
detection/non-detection data along a 4-km trail that was divided into 20
continuous segments of 200 m each. We obtained environmental,
ecological, and anthropogenic covariates to understand determinants of
sloth bear habitat occupancy. The data were analyzed using the
single-species single-season occupancy method, with a spatially
correlated detection. Using repeated observations, these models
accounted for the imperfect detectability of the species to provide
robust estimates of habitat occupancy. The model-averaged occupancy
estimate for the sloth bear was 69\% and the detection probability was
0.25. The probability of habitat occupancy by sloth bears increased with
the presence of termites and fruits and in rugged, dry, open,
undisturbed habitats. Our results indicate that the sloth bear is
elusive, functionally unique, and widespread in CNP. Future conservation
interventions and action plans aimed at sloth bear management must
adequately consider their habitat requirements.%
\end{abstract}\selectlanguage{ngerman}%



\sloppy


\textbf{Habitat occupancy of sloth bear \emph{Melursus ursinus} in
Chitwan National Park, Nepal}

Rajan Prasad Paudel\textsuperscript{1}, Rabin
Kadariya\textsuperscript{2}, Baburam Lamichhane\textsuperscript{2},
Naresh Subedi\textsuperscript{2}, Mariko Sashika\textsuperscript{3},
Michito Shimozuru\textsuperscript{3}, Toshio Tsubota\textsuperscript{3,
**} Corresponding author:
tsubota@vetmed.hokudai.ac.jp\textsuperscript{1}Laboratory of Wildlife
Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido
University, Sapporo, Japan.\textsuperscript{2}National Trust for Nature
Conservation, Nepal.\textsuperscript{3} Laboratory of Wildlife Biology
and Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University,
Japan.

\textbf{Abstract:}

Mammals have experienced a massive decline in their populations and
geographic ranges worldwide. The sloth bear,~\emph{Melursus
ursinus}~(Shaw, 1791), is one of many species facing conservation
threats. Despite being endangered in Nepal, decades of inattention to
the situation have hindered their conservation and management. We
assessed the distribution and patterns of habitat use by sloth bears in
Chitwan National Park (CNP), Nepal. We conducted sign surveys from March
to June, 2020, in 4 \selectlanguage{ngerman}× 4~km grids (\emph{n}~= 45). We collected
detection/non-detection data along a 4-km trail that was divided into 20
continuous segments of 200 m each. We obtained environmental,
ecological, and anthropogenic covariates to understand determinants of
sloth bear habitat occupancy. The data were analyzed using the
single-species single-season occupancy method, with a spatially
correlated detection. Using repeated observations, these models
accounted for the imperfect detectability of the species to provide
robust estimates of habitat occupancy. The model-averaged occupancy
estimate for the sloth bear was 69\% and the detection probability was
0.25. The probability of habitat occupancy by sloth bears increased with
the presence of termites and fruits and in rugged, dry, open,
undisturbed habitats. Our results indicate that the sloth bear is
elusive, functionally unique, and widespread in CNP. Future conservation
interventions and action plans aimed at sloth bear management must
adequately consider their habitat requirements.~

~

Published paper can be accessed
from:~\url{https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.8699}



\textbf{Keywords:}

Sloth bear, Occupancy, Nepal, Wildlife Conservation\textbf{}

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