Papa Bear to Mama Bear: What's for Dinner? We Have Nothing but Garbage

Papa Bear to Mama Bear: What's for Dinner? We Have Nothing but Garbage
Worried about how much plastic and other trash fish and other ocean creatures are eating?
You should also concern yourself -- more urgently -- with the fate of the Himalayan brown bears. They are now listed as a critically endangered species with only 130 to 220 mature adults remaining in the wild.
width= Photo: YouTube/Wildlife SOS

These bears are eating their way to death by consuming plastic and other toxic materials from garbage dumps. This is among the shocking and saddening data from the report by Wildlife SOS, a conservation non-profit organization in India, and the Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife Protection Department.
"Camera traps set up by the Wildlife SOS research team revealed that brown bears were feeding on chocolate, plastic covers and other food waste like biryani, a dish that is popular in the area. Since these are not a part of the natural diet of these bears — who usually feed on grass, berries, plants and small mammals — these items can be harmful to the gastric intestinal structure of the brown bear. It can cause severe ailments and even shorten their life span," Swaminathan Shanmugavelu, a Wildlife SOS senior biologist, told Newsweek. "Such behaviours can also be passed on from mother to cub, leading to a loss in natural foraging traits, impacting the survival rate of the brown bear population in the region."
width= Photo: YouTube/Wildlife SOS

The investigation of the ecological and human-bear conflict in the Kashmir region was prompted by the escalating incidence of attacks, human deaths and injuries, and damages to livestock and crops primarily caused by black/brown bears, along with leopards.
But humans have also caused an alarming decline in the brown bear population whom they've been hunting for their fur, claws, and internal organs. Also, farmers have joined in the killing of brown bears to protect their crops and animals.
width= Photo: YouTube/Wildlife SOS

Now, the world is becoming smaller and smaller for bears in spite of their dwindling population. With garbage dumps becoming their primary source of food, bears are drawing even closer to human settlements. What's more, since the behavior could be passed on to their offspring, these animals will just keep coming back to these areas.
In order to protect both humans and bears, Wildlife SOS has made recommendations to the government that include moving dumpsites to locations considerably far from people's settlements, proper waste management and disposal, fencing, and bear-proofing of garbage bins. But is there time enough to save these hungry, desperate bears? Can we give them back their home?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9xwd6p7B_0
Doris de Luna

For more than 20 years now, I’ve been devoting my heart, energy, and time to fulfilling my dream, which – many people may agree – is not among the easiest aspirations in life. Part of my happiness is having been able to lend a hand to many individuals, companies, and even governments as an investigative journalist, creative writer, TV director, and radio broadcaster.


At home, I spend my free time learning how to cook various cuisines. Tiramisu, chocolate mousse, and banoffee pie are my favorite desserts. Playing with our dogs, Mushu and Jerusalem, is also a special part of my day. And, of course, I read a lot – almost anything under the sun. But what really makes me feel alive is meeting people from various walks of life and writing about their stories, which echo with the tears and triumph of an unyielding spirit, humanity, and wisdom.

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