Nov.13 : Six of the known eight bear species are close to extinction, according to the World Conservation Union (IUCN), a global consortium of environmental groups and government agencies.

Thousands of scientists are working with the IUCN to map the threats to all land-mammal populations around the globe.

Of these eight bear species, only two — the Brown bear (Ursus arctos ) and American Black bear (Ursus americanus ) — are relatively healthy, scientists claim.

The rest are either vulnerable or endangered. Polar bears (Ursus maritimus ) — classed as marine mammals — were classified as vulnerable last year.

Added to the vulnerable list this year is the Sun bear (Helarctos malayanus ), a species of small bear that lives throughout Southeast Asia.

Hunting and human encroachment are the main reasons behind the declines, says Simon Stuart, a senior adviser with the Union. (ANI)