However, sun bear research projects were begun recently on Borneo. There are probably 8,000 to 22,000 sloth bears in the world, most living in central India's tropical dry deciduous forests. Already the bear is gone from much of its former range. The number of sloth bear gall bladders in international trade may indicate that poaching could have significant impact on the remaining population. Laws to prevent killing of bears and the export of their parts are either ineffective or not enforced.
Most existing populations are stable or increasing due to careful management.
An estimate by 32 states and 11 provinces revealed a total of 500,000 to 600,000 black bears. The species is adapted to a variety of habitats and can live near people, who are more tolerant of this species than its cousin in western North America, the grizzly bear. The American black bear is considered a game animal throughout most of its range, and its hunting is carefully managed. However, some poaching occurs and gall bladders and other parts from this species sometimes appear on the black market. Asiatic black bears are found through much of southern Asia, where, it is believed, they prefer forested hills and mountains and the tropical moist forest below alpine elevations.