Habitat loss is a critical factor driving extinction of biodiversity worldwide,withmodels of future land use anticipating
increases in rates of destruction of native habitatsworldwide. The Asian black bear (Ursus thibetanus) is a
red-listed species with a broad geographic range that has been fragmented dramatically by land use change. Remaining
populations of U. thibetanus occupy diverse habitats, ranging from highlands to coastal regions.We integrated
ecological niche models (ENMs) with nighttime satellite imagery to identify areas suitable for
U. thibetanus after anthropogenic alteration. We found that at least 10% of the potential distributional area for
the species is not suitable owing to urban or suburban encroachment. U. thibetanus seems to persist in highland
areas, characterized by low temperature and high precipitation, whereas humans concentrate in lowlands and
less-extreme climatic conditions. ENMs based solely on climate frequently overestimate suitable areas available
for species; nighttime light imagery offers a robust alternative to refining estimates of species' ranges, designing
protected areas and corridors, prioritizing threatened species, and determining areas of human–wildlife conflict
across broad areas. Our approach is transferable to other taxa and contexts, and should be considered in conservation
planning and policy implementation.