Search For The Secret Bear, Thursday 4 April, 8pm, National Geographic WILD/HD (CH 264/265). Also available for 30 days in Catch Up > Channels > National Geographic

When you talk about rare bears (which you almost inevitably do), they don’t come much rarer than the sloth bear. Native to the Indian subcontinent, these shaggy looking creatures are as elusive as they are endearing.

Now, you can get closer than ever to these fascinating animals thanks to brand new documentary Search For The Secret Bear.

Using cutting-edge technology, a specialist film crew heads into the forests of Sri Lanka to learn more about these shy bears, whose population is sadly declining. With an estimated 20,000 left in the wild, fears are mounting over the long-term viability of these majestic creatures. Very few people have seen a sloth bear in the flesh, but thanks to the team’s efforts, it’s easy to see why they’re worth saving.

But it’s not just the sloth bear that the intrepid documentary makers encounter in their attempt to profile this most mysterious of bears. From playful elephants to curious leopards, you’ll get a feel for the broad spectrum of amazing wildlife that populates Sri Lanka.

Want to know more about sloth bears? You’re in luck, because we’ve done some investigative digging to bring you the lowdown on these incredible creatures.

Just click/hover on the bears below (if you can find all six of them) to discover more…