It’s about understanding where they’ve vanished, why they’re attacking humans in Uttarakhand, and how we can fix it. The Wildlife Institute of India is mapping all 4 bear species; from the Himalayan brown bear to the rare sun bear; using camera traps, footprints, and scat analysis. Why does this matter? Because in Uttarakhand alone, bear attacks are rising; and locals are scared. This study could lead to early warning systems, smarter forest policies, and safer villages. The last estimate for sloth bears? Around 20,000. But no one really knows the full picture. Until now. This isn’t wildlife trivia; it’s a survival strategy for both bears and humans.