Private life of the sloth bear28

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Axel Gomille has captured unique images of the elusive sloth bear, one of the least known large mammals on the planet (unless you count The Jungle Book's Baloo). During several years working in southern India, Axel has documented the fascinating behaviour of this declining species, the only bear which regularly carries its young piggy-back fashion.

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Axel Gomille / Portrait of a young adult male Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus). Karnataka, India, March.

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Axel Gomille / Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) cub riding on its mother's back. Karnataka, India, April.

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Axel Gomille / Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) mother with cub riding on her back. Karnataka, India, April. Did you know? The sloth bear is the only bear that carries its young on its back.

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Axel Gomille / Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) female with large cubs (on right) trying to fight off rogue male. Karnataka, India, March.

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Axel Gomille / Portrait of a young male Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus). Karnataka, India, April.

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Axel Gomille / Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) lying on its back on rock. Karnataka, India, March.

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Axel Gomille / Portrait of an adult Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus). Karnataka, India, March.

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Axel Gomille / Sloth Bears (Melursus ursinus) mother with cub clinging to her fur. Karnataka, India, March.

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Axel Gomille / Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) cubs playing. Karnataka, India, March.

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Axel Gomille / Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus), mother with cub peering at the photographer. Karnataka, India, April.

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Axel Gomille / Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) mother with cub riding on her back. Karnataka, India, April.

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Axel Gomille / Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) mother with cubs. Karnataka, India, March.

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Axel Gomille / Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) cub playing with with mother's paw. Karnataka, India, March.

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Axel Gomille / Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) mother and cubs with one riding on her back. Karnataka, India, March.

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Axel Gomille / Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) mother with two cubs riding on her back. Karnataka, India, March.

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Axel Gomille / Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) mother with young cub. Karnataka, India, March.

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Axel Gomille / Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) mother with cubs. Karnataka, India, March.

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Axel Gomille / Young Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) sitting among rocks with a Peacock (Pavo cristatus) in the background. Karnataka, India, March.

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Axel Gomille / Two Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) cubs watching a Peacock (Pavo cristatus). Karnataka, India, March.

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Axel Gomille / Encounter between sub-adult Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) and a Wild Boar (Sus scrofa). Karnataka, India, March.

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Axel Gomille / Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) adult male encounters Ruddy Mongoose (Herpestes smithii). Karnataka, India.

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Axel Gomille / Old male Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) in habitat. Karnataka, India, March.

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Axel Gomille / Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) climbing on tree. Karnataka, India, March.

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Axel Gomille / Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) in front of its cave hidden among rocks. Karnataka, India, March.

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Axel Gomille / Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) foraging on rocks. Karnataka, India, March.

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Axel Gomille / Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) sub-adults play-fighting. Karnataka, India, March.

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Axel Gomille / Subadult sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) peering over a rock. Karnataka, India, March.

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Axel Gomille / Portrait of a young adult male Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) standing on hind legs by a rock. Karnataka, India, March.