Sloth bears are nocturnal insectivores whose survival is threatened by habitat loss and conflict with humans. Their welfare depends on intact forest and communities willing to coexist with them.
Sloth bear welfare has improved dramatically with the end of dancing bear practice in India, where bears were taken as cubs and trained for entertainment with severe cruelty. The welfare of rescued former dancing bears required years of rehabilitation. Wild sloth bear welfare is now primarily threatened by habitat loss and conflict. Bears that raid crops or beehives face lethal retaliation. Bears injured in human conflicts face prolonged suffering in remote areas. Coexistence programs that reduce conflict through bear-safe infrastructure and community education provide economic alternatives to persecution. Wildlife crime networks that supply bear parts to traditional medicine markets add to mortality pressure.