India is home to a rich diversity of wildlife, and one of its many fascinating creatures is the sloth bear. Known for its distinctive appearance and nocturnal habits, the sloth bear is mainly found in the forests of central and southern India. These bears are often elusive, making them a special sight for wildlife lovers and photographers. For those interested in seeing this unique species, here are the 8 best national parks in India where you can see sloth bears in their natural habitat.
Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh
Located in the middle of India, Bandhavgarh National Park is famous for its population of tigers, but it is also an excellent place to see sloth bears. The dense forests and rugged terrain of the park provide ideal shelter for sloth bears. Bears are best seen at dusk or at night, with bears often seen searching for insects, fruit and small vertebrates.
Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh
Kanha is one of the largest and most famous national parks of India. The park’s diverse landscape, which includes grasslands, dense sal and bamboo forests and riverine meadows, is home to a variety of wildlife, including sloth bears. While Kanha is famous for its tiger sightings, the sloth bear population here is equally impressive, and it is not unusual to see them scavenging in the park’s bushes.
Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra
Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, often called the “Jewel of Vidarbha”, is another great place to see sloth bears. The diverse habitat of the park, which includes dry forests, grasslands and water bodies, provides an ideal environment for the sloth bear. Although sightings may be rare, it is known that there is a significant population of sloth bears, especially in less-explored areas.
Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh
Pench National Park, located on the border of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, is another prime place to see the sloth bear. Best known for its role in Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book, Pench’s diverse ecosystem, which includes dry forest and riverbank habitats, is home to a variety of species, including the sloth bear. They are often seen during early morning or late evening safaris.
Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan
Sariska Tiger Reserve is located in the Aravalli Hills of Rajasthan and is a sanctuary for various species including the sloth bear. Although the tiger population has fluctuated, the reserve is still home to a growing population of sloth bears. The dense forests, rugged hills and reservoirs in Sariska provide ideal habitat for the sloth bear.
Madhav National Park, Madhya Pradesh
Madhav National Park, located in the Gwalior region of Madhya Pradesh, is known for its rich biodiversity including the sloth bear. The combination of dry deciduous forests, grasslands and hills in the park creates an ideal environment for these nocturnal creatures. Although sightings of tigers in the park may be rare, sloth bears are commonly seen during safaris.
Rajiv Gandhi National Park, Karnataka
Rajiv Gandhi National Park, also known as Nagarhole National Park, is one of the best places to see wildlife in southern India. The park, which has dense teak forests, has a healthy sloth bear population. These bears are usually seen in remote areas of the park in search of food. The diverse ecosystem of Nagarhole also ensures that visitors will get a chance to see a variety of other species.
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala
Located in the Western Ghats, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala is famous for its elephant population and picturesque landscape. The sanctuary is also home to sloth bears, and sightings, although less frequent, do occur, especially in more remote parts of the park. The lush green forests and tranquil lakes of the sanctuary create a peaceful environment for sloth bears to roam and forage.
