Tibetan bear
The Tibetan bear or Tibetan blue bear (Ursus arctos pruinosus ) is a subspecies of the brown bear (Ursus arctos ) found in the eastern Tibetan Plateau. It is also known as the Himalayan blue bear, Himalayan snow bear, Tibetan brown bear, or the horse bear. In Tibetan, it is known as Dom gyamuk.
One of the rarest subspecies of bear in the world, the blue bear is rarely sighted in the wild. The blue bear was once known in the West only through a small number of fur and bone samples. It was first classified in 1854. However, the 2021 French documentary "The Velvet Queen" captured extensive footage of the reclusive animal.
It is possible that the occasional specimen might be observed traveling through high mountain peaks during times of reduced food supply, or in search of a mate. However, the limited information available about the habits and range of the blue bear makes such speculation difficult to confirm.
The exact conservation status of the blue bear is unknown, due to limited information. However, in the United States trading blue bear specimens or products is restricted by the Endangered Species Act. It is also listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) as a protected species. It is threatened by the use of bear bile in traditional Chinese medicine and habitat encroachment.
