A Himalayan brown bear was recently captured by the Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife Department, at Rajwara in the North Kashmir district of Handwara.

About Himalayan Brown Bear:

• It is a large carnivore found in the high-altitude regions of the Himalayas. 
• Scientific Name: Ursus arctos isabellinus
• Distribution:
  • They are found in North-western and central Himalaya, including Pakistan, India, Nepal, the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China and Bhutan. 
  • They are found above the timberline, between 3,000 and 5,500 meters (9,800 and 18,000 feet) above sea level.
  • In India, this species exists in small isolated populations in the fragmented alpine and subalpine habitats of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. 
• Features:
  • It is the largest mammal in the region, males reaching up to 2.2 m (7 ft) long, while females are a little smaller.
  • The bears are omnivorousand hibernate in dens during the winter. 
  • It has thick fur which is most often sandy or reddish-brown in colour. 
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972: Schedule I
  • CITES – Appendix I