American Black Bear is smallest of 3 bears species only found in North America. Short, non-retractable claws give an excellent tree-climbing ability.
Fur is a uniform colour except for brown muzzle, light markings on chest. Can be brown, cinnamon, blonde, as well. Black bear with white-bluish fur is Kermode (glacier) bear. Unique colour phases are only found in British Columbia, Canada.
Black bear is a threatened species. There were at least 600,000 black bears in America. Current count is unknown. Habitat loss, over-hunting, climate change, being hit by cars, aggression with humans are threats to black bears.
Varieties of co-existence programs, trained resources, surveillance techniques like bear-resistant dumpsters help prevent human-bear conflicts. Proactive non-lethal interventions, electric fencing, infrastructure improvements on roads, education programs, eco-tourism increases human acceptance of wildlife.
How tough is it to be responsible at campsites, sensitively watch out for bears while driving, peacefully co-exist in nature? Want to cuddle a cub…