Rare Himalayan Brown Bear Spotted in Khunjerab National Park

A rare Himalayan brown bear has been spotted in Kuksal, a remote area of Khunjerab National Park in Gojal Valley, Hunza, marking one of the few confirmed sightings of the species in recent years.

The bear was seen near a Wildlife Department office at around 14,000 feet above sea level, confirming its continued presence in the rugged mountain habitats of Gilgit-Baltistan.

The Himalayan brown bear is one of Pakistan’s rarest large mammals. Its population remains low and scattered across northern Pakistan, making wild sightings uncommon.

According to wildlife experts, only around 150 to 200 Himalayan brown bears are believed to survive in small, isolated populations across northern Pakistan. The species faces threats from habitat loss, illegal hunting, human disturbance, waste, recreational pressure, and competition with livestock.

A 2022 survey by the Gilgit-Baltistan Forest, Wildlife and Environment Department estimated 66 Himalayan brown bears in Deosai National Park and its buffer valleys, placing the population between 58 and 77 at a 95 percent confidence interval.

The report noted that conservation efforts helped the species recover after Deosai was declared a national park in 1993. Khunjerab has also seen conservation action, including the release of two female brown bears into the park in 2017 to support the local population.

The latest sighting highlights the need for continued habitat protection, field monitoring, waste control, and public awareness in Pakistan’s northern protected areas.

Khunjerab National Park also provides habitat for several important species, including the snow leopard, Marco Polo sheep, Himalayan ibex, blue sheep, and the Himalayan brown bear.