Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus)

The Sloth Bear is the only bear species found in Sri Lanka and is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN due to habitat loss and persecution. The Sri Lankan population (M. u. inornatus) is considered a distinct subspecies, characterised by a shorter coat suited to the island's tropical climate. Adults weigh between 55 and 145 kg and are immediately identifiable by their shaggy black fur, long curved claws, and a distinctive pale V-shaped chest marking.

Primarily nocturnal and insectivorous, Sloth Bears feed mainly on termites and ants, using their powerful claws to rip open termite mounds and their elongated snout and lips to form a vacuum that sucks insects directly into the mouth — an adaptation unique among bears. They are also fond of honey, fruits, and tubers. In Sri Lanka they are concentrated in the dry-zone forests of Yala, Wilpattu, and Wasgomuwa National Parks. Human–bear conflict is increasing as agricultural encroachment pushes bears into village boundaries, and conservation efforts focus on habitat protection and community education.