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=Moon Bear/ Asiatic Black Bear=

Appearance
The Asiatic Black bear is black in color with brown colored muzzles. They also have a cream colored v-shaped patch on its chest. It is because of this patch that these bears are commonly known as Moon bears. The Asiatic Black bear's ears are larger than most bears, sometimes looking like Mickey Mouse ears. It is medium sized weighing around 220 - 440 pounds.

Range
These bears can be found in Southern Asia and some can be found in the north. In Southern Asia they can be found in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Northern India, Nepal, and Bhutan. In the north they can be found in northeast China, southeast Russia, some even in Taiwan and few Japanese islands.

Habitat and Diet
The Asiatic Black bear can be found in heavily temperate forested mountain areas. They are omnivorous meaning, they can eat vegetables and living creatures. They mostly eat insects, small mammals and birds, carrion, bee nests, fruit, walnuts and other nuts, hydrangea, and even bamboo. They climb trees and raid rodents' supplies of nuts.

= = =Issues=

The Moon Bear/Asiatic Black Bear is considered to be a Critically Endangered species. The reasons for their endangerment consist of these.

Bile Farms and Poaching
The Moon bears are being captured and are placed in small cages for their bile. Bile is a liquid that comes from the gall bladder. People believe that bile from the bears contain medicinal properties and have valued it for 3,000 years. The market for bear bile is huge. The population of the Moon bears has significantly decreased because of this reason. These bears are not only captured but are also poached for its skin and paws.

Habitat Destruction
Deforestation of the forests is also a major threat. The forests are cleared for commercial logging and human encroachment is also a problem. The Moon bears are seen as pests and are killed for interference with the logging. They are also killed when they step onto farming land, because they can destroy the crops. //For more info on Habitat Destruction/Deforestation click here//

=Bibliography=

- The Asiatic Black Bear Bearden.org http://www.bearden.org/Species%20and%20Programs%20pages/Asblack%20bear%20page.htm - Asiatic Black Bear Smithsonian National Zoological Park http://nationalzoo.si.edu/publications/zoogoer/1999/2/fact-asiaticblack.cfm - Asiatic Black Bear ARKive http://www.arkive.org/species/GES/mammals/Ursus_thibetanus/more_info.html - Bear Bile Farming AAF http://www.animalsasia.org/index.php?module=2&menupos=7&lg=en