Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus).
Image: H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
At a glance
- IUCN category
- VU · Vulnerable
- Animal group
- Mammals
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The Asiatic black bear, or moon bear, is a forest bear with a pale crescent on its chest. It is assessed as Vulnerable.
It is a good climber and largely vegetarian, though omnivorous.
Range & habitat
Forests across much of Asia, from Iran and the Himalayas to Southeast Asia, China, and Japan.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Poaching for bile, paws, and parts
- Habitat loss
- Capture for bile farms
Why it matters
A wide-ranging forest bear under heavy pressure from the trade in bear parts, the Asiatic black bear is a flagship against wildlife trafficking and bile farming.
Gallery
Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus); this individual is in a zoo.
Image: Guérin Nicolas (messages), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Sources
Sources for Asiatic Black Bear
- IUCN Red List — look up Asiatic Black Bear (authoritative status)
- Animal Diversity Web
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Asiatic black bear called the moon bear?
Why is the Asiatic black bear Vulnerable?
Last updated: