Leaving the tracks behind

"The Sloth Bear" AKA "Stickney Bear" AKA "Labiated Bear" (Melursus ursinus) - is a nocturnal insectivorous species of bears found wild within the Indian Subcontinent.

As we were walking in the forest area of Thengumarahada, documenting the spotting of Elephants' dung and Tigers' scat, their tracks, etc, we heard a growling noise near by. Although from where we were standing (I, a forest guard, and a tribe) we could not see which animal made the noise, we soon realized it was a Bear. We stood very still, breathed very slowly so as to not make any noise from our end. Within seconds, only I saw a Sloth Bear making a quick escape in to the thick bushes and away from us. Sure enough, it had caught our scent in the air from several meters away because the air was blowing in its direction.

We probably got lucky to have not confronted the bear from a close distance, or it could have proved fatal. We waited for several minutes until the tribe with us ensured that the Bear had left the scene, and we were clear to move forward. As we moved, I was able to locate its tracks down our path, and I took this image.

(Image recovered from my FB account. Hence the low quality)