Data from: Occurrence of human pathogenic bacteria and their antibiotic resistance in the gut of wild and captive sloth bears
Data files
Jul 24, 2026 version files 19.12 KB
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AST_summary.csv
1.14 KB
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AST.csv
1.32 KB
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captive_scat.csv
4.91 KB
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README.md
7.63 KB
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wild_scat.csv
4.11 KB
Abstract
There is a growing worldwide problem of antibiotic resistance (AR) that has significant effects on both human and animal health. The present study compared the presence of human pathogens and their AR in wild and captive sloth bear populations. The study was conducted using a non-invasive method, by isolating microorganisms from fresh scat samples collected from Jessore Wildlife Sanctuary of Gujarat (wild), Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Centre (captive) and Bannerghatta Zoo (captive). The microbial isolates were identified and their resistance to different antibiotics were studied using a Vitek2® system. We found that captive sloth bears had significantly higher numbers of potential human pathogens (22) compared with wild bears (19) including various Enterococcus spp. and Klebsiella. The antimicrobial susceptibility test revealed that ten out of 22 organisms from captive population were resistant to different antibiotics used, whereas only two out of 19 organisms were found resistant to the antibiotics for the wild population. Captive sloth bears, fed on human-associated food and living in closer proximity to humans, presented a distinct microbial community with greater anthropogenic influence compared to the wild bears, which rely on natural diets of social insects, honey, and seasonal fruits. The findings underscore the critical role of AR as a marker of anthropogenic input into wilderness ecosystems and its potential impacts on wildlife conservation and public health. This is the first known study to examine AR in sloth bears, offering novel insights into the transmission dynamics of pathogens between humans and wildlife. The finding of low antibiotic resistance in these wild sloth bear populations is positive, though further studies investigating AR differences in time and place would be helpful.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.wpzgmsc1n
Description of the data and file structure
README: Dataset Supporting Sloth Bear Microbiome and AMR Study
Authors: Dabhi Sakhi1,4, Williams Barbara2, Bevins Julia3 and Dharaiya Nishith1,4
- Wildlife and Conservation Biology Research Foundation, Junagadh (Gujarat), India -362001
- University of Queensland, QAAFI Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences, St. Lucia campus, Qld, Australia
- Katie Adamson Conservation Fund, Littleton, CO 80128
- Centre of Excellence for Wildlife and Conservation Studies, BKNM University, Junagadh (Gujarat,) India 362001
Email: sakhidabhi291@gmail.com, nadharaiya@bknmu.edu.in
Dataset Description
This dataset contains microbiological and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) data derived from non-invasive scat samples collected from wild and captive sloth bears (Melursus ursinus) from Western India. The dataset was generated to investigate differences in gut-associated bacterial communities and antibiotic resistance patterns between captive anfree-rangingng sloth bear populations.
The data include bacterial identification and antibiotic susceptibility profiles, enabling comparative analysis of microbial diversity, potential zoonotic pathogens, and resistance patterns. This dataset contributes to wildlife health monitoring and supports a One Health perspective by examining anthropogenic impacts on microbial ecology.
Related Publication
This dataset supports the following publication:
10.1002/wlb3.01454
Files Included in the Dataset
File 1: wild_scat.csv
Contains bacterial isolates recovered from scat samples collected from wild sloth bears.
Each row represents one bacterial isolate recovered from a wild sloth bear scat sample.
Purpose: Contains microbiological analysis of wild bear scat samples.
Information Recorded: Sample name and sample ID; Food associated with scat; Culture media used; Gram stain result; Colony morphology; VITEK identification; Antibiotic susceptibility testing.
- E. coli was the most frequently isolated organism.
- Klebsiella pneumoniae was detected in samples associated with: Prosopis consumption and honey and ants consumption
File 2: captive_scat.csv
Contains bacterial isolates recovered from scat samples collected from captive sloth bears.
Each row represents one bacterial isolate recovered from a captive sloth bear scat sample.
Purpose: Contains microbiological results from captive bears housed at: BBRC, Bannerghatta Zoo
Bear details: Name, Location, Gender, Age, Health status, Colony characteristics, Colony size, Shape, Elevation, Surface texture, Consistency, Optical appearance, Pigmentation
Microbial identification: Organism isolated from scat samples, Antibiotic susceptibility profile. E. coli was the dominant organism, isolated from multiple bears and several Enterococcus species were recovered from captive animals.
File 3: AST.csv
Contains antimicrobial susceptibility testing results for bacterial isolates.
Each row represents the susceptibility result of a particular bacterial isolate against a specific antimicrobial agent.
File 4: AST_summary.csv
Contains summary statistics and compiled antimicrobial resistance results derived from the AST dataset.
This file is intended for reference and interpretation of resistance patterns.
Sample Information Variables
Variable Description
- Sample_ID: Unique identifier assigned to each scat sample
- Bear_Status: Origin of sample: Wild or Captive
- Collection_Date: Date of sample collection
- Location: Sampling location, forest area, zoo, or rescue centre
- Sample_Type: Type of sample collected (fecal/scat sample)
Bacterial Isolation Variables
Variable Description
- Isolate_ID: Unique identifier assigned to bacterial isolate
- Colony_ID: Unique identifier assigned to cultured colony
- Bacterial_Species: Bacterial species identified through VITEK
- Gram_Reaction: Gram-positive or Gram-negative reaction
- Morphology: Colony or cellular morphology observed during identification
- Remarks: Additional observations recorded during bacterial isolation
Antimicrobial Susceptibility Variables
Variable Description
- Isolate_ID: Identifier linking AST result to bacterial isolate
- Antibiotic: Antimicrobial agent tested
- Result: Numerical susceptibility code
- Interpretation: Susceptibility category derived from AST testing
Antimicrobial Susceptibility Coding Scheme
The AST dataset uses the following coding system:
Code Interpretation
1
Susceptible
0
Resistant
2
Not Tested / Blank Result
Code 2 indicates that susceptibility testing was not performed for that particular isolate-antibiotic combination.
Missing Data
Blank cells indicate information that was unavailable or not recorded.
For antimicrobial susceptibility testing:
• Code 2 indicates that an antibiotic was not tested for a particular isolate.
Missing values should not be interpreted as negative results.
Abbreviations
Definition
- AMR: Antimicrobial Resistance
- AST: Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing
- MDR: Multidrug Resistant
- VITEK: Automated bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing system
- ID: Identification
- CSV: Comma-Separated Values
Data Organization
Relationships among files are maintained through unique identifiers.
Sample_ID links sample-level information across bacterial isolation records.
Isolate_ID links bacterial identification records with antimicrobial susceptibility testing records.
The dataset is organized so that each row represents:
• A bacterial isolate, or
• An antimicrobial susceptibility test result.
Quality Control
Bacterial identification and susceptibility testing were performed using standardized laboratory procedures.
Automated bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were conducted using the VITEK system.
Data were reviewed for transcription errors prior to submission.
Software Requirements
Data files are provided in CSV format.
Files may be opened and analyzed using:
• Microsoft Excel
• SPSS
License
This dataset is made available under the terms specified by Dryad (CC0 Public Domain Dedication unless otherwise stated).
Acknowledgements
We are thankful to the Chief Wildlife Wardens of Gujarat and Karnataka states for the necessary permission to conduct the fieldwork and collect samples. Thanks are due to Wildlife SOS for providing scat samples from BBRC and the team of veterinary officers from Wildlife SOS for their guidance and assisting in sample collection. We acknowledge the support from the WCBRF team for fieldwork. SD is grateful to Dr Prashant Thakre, Neelu Soni, and Pooja Mandviya for guiding her in the early stage of this study and avail the lab facilities.
Funding – This study is a part of the sloth bear conservation project of the WCB Research Foundation, India. SD is grateful to Bears in Mind – the Netherlands, for financial support. Support was also provided by The Little Rock Zoo – USA, The Zoo Zlin – Czech Republic, and The Katie Adamson Conservation Fund – USA.
Permits – All fieldwork, sample collection and transport are approved by the Chief Wildlife Warden of Gujarat and Karnataka State (reference no. PCCFO/0871/08/2023 and no. PCCF(WL)/F/ CR-43/202324)