A rare sighting of an Asiatic black bear with three cubs in the Telmachara forest area of Habiganj has stirred both excitement and caution among locals and forest officials.

The presence of the endangered species was confirmed after a local wildlife photographer captured images near Satchari National Park, drawing renewed attention to the region's fragile forest ecosystem.

The bear family has reportedly been roaming Telmachara's Rasulpur and Saltila forest zones, under Shahjahanpur and Jagdishpur unions in Madhabpur upazila, adjacent to the Satchari reserve forest.

The 1,700-acre Telmachara forest is a designated wildlife sanctuary.

Forest authorities have stepped up patrols and are urging locals and tourists to avoid the area, citing the natural aggressiveness of bears, especially when accompanied by cubs.

"We have confirmed sightings of a bear with cubs in the Telmachara and Saltila areas," said Sadequr Rahman, forest guard of Telmachara.

"Our team is on alert and taking all necessary precautions. The bears are occasionally returning to the Satchari zone as well," he said.

Forest Beat Officer Mehdi Hasan added, "People collecting firewood in the hills have seen the mother bear with her cubs. We're advising all locals and tourists to be cautious and avoid unnecessary entry into the hills."

Following a recent fire incident in the forest, the bear was seen taking shelter in a eucalyptus tree. Photographs of paw prints on the tree bark further confirmed its presence, he said.

Bishwajit Paul, joint convener of the local wildlife conservation group Pakhi Prem Society, said, "The Asiatic black bear, also known as the moon bear due to the white, crescent-like marking on its chest, is critically endangered in Bangladesh."

Zohra Mila, Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation Officer at the Bangladesh Forest Department, said the species was once widespread across the mixed evergreen hill forests of Sylhet and Chattogram, but now faces severe threats.

"Habitat destruction, food scarcity, encroachment, and poaching have pushed the species to the brink. Only two bear species remain in Bangladesh today, one of which is the Asiatic black bear," she said.

The bear is listed under Schedule-1 of the Wildlife (Conservation and Protection) Act, 2012, making hunting or harming the animal a criminal offence.

"These animals are largely solitary, except for mothers with cubs," Zohra Mila added. "They forage for insects, fruit, and honey. Though they may appear threatening when standing upright, they generally avoid human conflict."