Linking critical patches of sloth bear Melursus ursinus for their conservation in Meghamalai hills, Western Ghats, India
The study examines the distribution and factors regulating the sloth bear in a fragmented hills of Meghamalai in Western Ghats through occupancy framework. Indirect evidences were sought over 133 grids of 4 sq. km size between December 2011 and December 2012. Indirect evidences were recorded in 58 of 133 sampled grids that estimated naŃ—ve occupancy of 0.43 (p = 0.3180).