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Fruit and Honey
"In addition to insects, honey badgers also eat a lot of fruit. In the summer, more than half of their diet consists of fruit. They eat fallen fruit, but they also climb trees in search of fruit and bee nests. Despite the many bee stings, they lick up the honey without any trouble."
Discover in real lifeHabitat:
forests and grasslands in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka
Food:
insects, fruit, flowers, and honey
Lifespan:
35 to 40 years
Weight:
Male: 80 to 140 kg; Female: 55 to 95 kg
Number of young:
2 young
Gestation period:
6 to 7 months
Can be seen:
Along the walking safari trail
IUCN status:
Vulnerable
EEP:
Yes
About the sloth bear
The sloth bear (Melursus ursinus), also known as the bahloe, is a unique bear found primarily in the tropical rainforests of South Asia, such as India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. The sloth bear has a shaggy, black coat with a distinctive white patch on its chest that resembles a horseshoe. Its long claws and unique feeding behavior—sucking termites out of mounds—are striking characteristics. These bears are primarily nocturnal and live solitary lives. The sloth bear is considered vulnerable due to habitat loss, hunting, and poaching. They often come into conflict with human activities, which has caused their population to decline sharply. Conservation measures are essential for their protection.
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Habitat and threats
The sloth bear lives in the forests and grasslands of India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. With its long claws and strong snout, it searches for insects, fruits, and honey there. The species has a Vulnerable IUCN status. Deforestation and the expansion of agricultural areas are causing its habitat to shrink. As a result, sloth bears are coming into contact with humans more often, which can lead to conflicts.
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Species Conservation at Beekse Bergen
Did you know that more than 10,000 animal species in the world are in danger of extinction? Beekse Bergen works with about 325 European zoos to conserve these species. Through management programs (EEPs)we ensure healthy reserve populations. Together, we form the European Association of Zoos (EAZA).
The sloth bear at Beekse Bergen are also part of an EEP. A coordinator maintains a pedigree of the species and manages the population in zoos. Together with a committee, the coordinator gives advice on which animals are allowed to have cubs together. Sometimes that means moving an sloth bear to another zoo. This way we increase the chance of healthy cubs and the survival of the species. You can recognize animal species with an EEP by the logo of a rhino with a calf.