The American Black Bear: Is it a Public Nuisance or Jewel of Nature?

Have you ever seen an American Black bear in your neighborhood? In North America, chances are you have seen the bears by their home, in the wilderness or at the local zoo. The American Black Bear or the "Ursus americanus" are cuddly and cute, but they are known to be totally "anti-social" (U.S. Fish & Wildlife, 2007) and very dangerous to humans. These bears are strong and dangerous, yet they generally avoid the human elements. Also, these bears have a powerful sense of smell, which can lead them to a source of food or to trouble.

Basically, male and female bears are about "4-7ft" long and weighs about "150-300 lbs" (Defenders of Wildlife, 2007) or larger. However, they are the "smallest of the bear species found in North America" (Defenders of Wildlife, 2007). According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife (2007), these bears come in several different shade of brown and black. Many times people confuse theses bears with brown bears, because of their unusual color.

The American Black bear can live to "25 years old" (Defender of Wildlife, 2007) and "reach breeding maturity at age 4-5 years old". Usually a female bear will "give birth" in the "winter" to "1-6 cubs"; however, "2 cubs are most common" (Defenders of Wildlife, 2007). Then, the single mother cares for them in the den, until they are weaned at "6-8 months old" (Defenders of Wildlife, 2007). She can be very protective and dangerous, especially when her young are threatened.

Most bears learn to climb, hunt, and fish as cubs, plus they master climbing a tree for safety. They prefer eating: "salmon", "nuts", "berries", or ""occasionally" they catch a "deer" (U.S. Fish & Wildlife, 2007). Scientist call them "omnivores" (Defenders of Wildlife, 2007), because of their diverse eating preferences. Plus, they gathered extra food to store in the den, before "hibernate every winter" and weight for "spring" (Defenders of Wildlife, 2007) begins.

According to the Defenders of Wildlife (2007), during the summer mating season the male and female will spend time together. But, after he decides to leave, the female bear is totally responsible for caring for her young. These bears live in different habitats, which is usually a light "forest settings with thick vegetation" (Defenders of Wildlife, 2007) and room to roam. But, the black bear population is endangered, because of people killing them and different poaching rings.

These magnificent creatures should be admired from afar and left to roam the wilderness. Each Black bear is as individual and a unique as we are, from the tip of their nose to the end of their stubby tail. These bears can "stand on their hind feet" and "attack with one powerful front claw that will kill," (U.S. Fish & Wildlife, 2007) anything that threatens them. Despite the large stature, they are rather quick and "surprising agile" (U.S. Fish & Wildlife, 2007).

It isn't unusual to see these bears roaming into your neighborhood, because the human and bear population are colliding now. A bear will follow their nose to a neighborhood or a cabin. If you see one of these magnificent creatures in your neighborhood...Stay away from it! Then, immediately call the local wildlife officials and let them help the lost bear. The bears are usually returned to the wilderness or placed in local zoos, but only if they are injured and in need of medical help.

Many experts agree that these bears will actually "try to avoid humans" only attack, when they are "protecting their young" (U.S. Fish & Wildlife, 2007). The "only predator" that a bear faces is "human" (U.S. Fish & Wildlife, 2007), who hunt them down and kill them each year. During "the American colonial period", different "states offered bounties" for killing bears. Soon, they had "hunted them down to extinction", up and down "the East Coast" (U.S. Fish & Wildlife, 2007).

Thanks to establishing "protection" for the American Black Bear, they began resurfacing in the "remote" areas of our nation. Currently, "people's attitudes" about these bears are "changing" (U.S. Fish & Wildlife, 2007), thanks to wildlife conservationist groups and laws. Now, in the "last 30 years", many scientists have begun learning a lot more about the amazing animals. Therefore, our children and their grandchildren can enjoy these jewels of nature, for many years to come.

References:

Defenders of Wildlife (2007) American Bear (Ursus americanus)
Retrieved on the World Wide Web on September 10, 2007
http://www.defenders.org/wildlife_and_habitat/wildlife/black_bear.php

U.S. Fish & Wildlife (2007) American black bear, (Ursus americanus)
Retrieved on the World Wide Web on September 10, 2007
http://www.fws.gov/species/species_accounts/bio_bear.html