Human-sloth-bear conflicts in Madhya Pradesh, India

In the forest of central India, the sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) is the mo st dangerous wild animal because it is unpredictable and often attacks huma ns. When humans enter sloth bear habitat or sloth bears enter crop fields, conflicts occur that cause numerous human casualties. We documented conflic ts between humans and sloth bears in Madhya Pradesh, India, using forest de partment records, interviews with villagers, and surveys within sloth bear habitat. From April 1989 to March 1994 there were 735 human casualties; 48 were fatal. Most casualties (253, 74%) occurred in forests between April an d October. Human casualties can be reduced by restricting human entry into sloth bear habitat (especially foraging areas), regulating the human harves t of sloth bear forage, avoiding camping in sloth bear habitat (especially at water sources), and obtaining additional data on sloth bear ecology. Wit hout active management, local inhabitants will not support conserving the s loth bear.