ECOLOGICAL NICHE AND CONSERVATION STATUS OF URSUS ARCTOS ISABELLINUS IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

The Himalayan brown bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus) is a rare and important subspecies that lives in the high altitude environments of northern Pakistan. The taxonomy, geographic range, habitat ecology, feeding habits, seasonal dynamics, and conservation status of the species are all summarized in this article. The species is mostly found in alpine and subalpine regions of Pakistan, such as Deosai National Park, Khunjerab National Park, and portions of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit Baltistan. The bear's adaptable omnivorous diet, which is primarily composed of graminoids and forbs but also includes invertebrates and small mammals like marmots, reflects its adaptation to the highly seasonal availability of resources. Environmental variability is closely associated with seasonal behaviors, such as hibernation, timing of reproduction, and resource driven movement patterns. Small, dispersed, and remote subpopulation are at risk from genetic and demographic factors, according to population assessments. Human bear conflict, livestock competition, habitat fragmentation, disturbance from tourism, and climate change are among the main threats. Targeted conservation efforts can stabilize and restore local populations, according to data from protected areas, especially Deosai National Park. However, landscape level management that prioritizes habitat connectivity, ongoing ecological monitoring, conflict resolution, and climate adaptive tactics is necessary for long term viability. Effective conservation planning still depends on filling in research gaps in genetic diversity, movement ecology, and population dynamics.