The Work of WSPA

One of the most important parts of our work is to

help promote the concept of animal welfare in
regions where there are few, if any, measures in
place to protect animals. I n many countries, WSPA
has helped local people set up new animal welfare
groups which have gone on to establish national
laws to protect animals and introduce education
programmes to change peoples attitudes to animals.
I n this way, WSPA is helping to develop the better
care of animals by working with different cultures.
When did we begin our work?
WSPA has been working for animals for 50 years. Its present
structure was established in 1981 through the merger of the
International Society for the Protection of Animals and the World
Federation for the Protection of Animals.
Today, WSPA has offices in 12 countries. Our I nternational Board
of Directors is composed of representatives from many of the
worlds most experienced national animal welfare organisations.
WSPA is represented on numerous international bodies including
the United Nations and the Council of Europe.
Who are we?
WSPA is the worlds largest
federation of animal welfare
societies, with more than 400
member organisations in over
100 countries. This means
that, wherever animal welfare
problems are identified,
representatives of WSPA are
close at hand to provide a
response. I t also means that
WSPA can bring together
animal welfarists throughout
the world to challenge global
issues like factory farming.
Our work with animals
Animal Rescue
Our animal rescue teams provide direct help to animals that have
been abandoned, neglected or caught up in natural or man-made
disasters.
Help for the forgotten victims
For more than 40 years, WSPA has intervened to help animals
stricken by volcanoes, earthquakes, floods and war.
I n 2001, when 9, 000 people were made homeless by an
earthquake in El Salvador, WSPA set up an animal shelter at a
refuge camp. Hundreds of pets were cared for at the refuge before
being reunited with their owners. Our work brought comfort to
stricken families and prevented the possible spread of disease from
stray dogs.
Sanctuary from suffering
The worldwide trade in wildlife leaves thousands of animals
abandoned or homeless. Where possible, WSPA helps provide a
place in which they can be re-homed and live out their lives in
natural surroundings.
As part of our campaign to end the trade in dancing bears in
Greece and Turkey, sanctuaries were built for animals that had
previously been forced to perform for tourists in the streets. M ore
than fifty rescued bears now enjoy life in a spacious forested
enclosure complete with pools and natural dens. Other sanctuaries
have been built for bears in Hungary, USA, Thailand, I ndia and
Pakistan.
I n Africa, WSPA has helped to set up sanctuaries for young
chimpanzees orphaned after their families were killed by hunters.
I n 2001, a group of 20 bonobos were re-homed in a new
enclosure funded by WSPA in Congo. I n Spain, WSPA helped
design and build a new sanctuary for chimps rescued from the
circus industry.
At the beginning of
2002, WSPA
responded to a plea
for help from war-
torn Afghanistan,
where zoo animals
were injured and
starving. During a
mercy mission for
the animals of Kabul, WSPA distributed vital supplies of food and
medicines, stabilized the near derelict zoo and gave emergency
veterinary treatment to the animals there.
The Work of WSPA
Wildlife
WSPA believes that wild animals should be protected in their
natural habitat and not cruelly hunted or taken into captivity for
commercial purposes. Our campaign to end the cruel practice of
farming bears for their bile has enlisted support from people all
over the world.
Animals in entertainment
WSPA believes that no animal should be made to suffer for the
entertainment of humans. I n many countries, WSPA is supporting
its member organisations to raise awareness of the cruelty of
bullfighting and change public opinion. And our campaign against
the practice of bear baiting in Pakistan resulted in a nation-wide
crack down on the medieval blood sport.
Pet Respect
WSPAs Pet Respect programme is working to improve the status
and treatment of companion animals. The programme is promoting
methods of birth control for cats and dogs to prevent the growth of
unwanted populations of strays. Where large numbers of stray
animals exist, WSPA is working with municipalities to introduce
humane management methods. The Pet Respect Programme is
also encouraging the registration of pets and the introduction of
legislation to protect their welfare.
World FarmWatch
WSPA believes that all animals are entitled to essential freedoms to
safeguard their quality of life. Billions of farm animals, reared in
factory farms, are denied these freedoms during their entire lives,
and then slaughtered inhumanely. WSPA is working with its
member organisations in developing countries to prevent the
growth of intensive systems by promoting free range and organic
methods of farming.
Sight
Bears have good eyesight and
colour vision, which probably
helps them to spot food such as
coloured berries and fruits. Their
eyes are widely spaced and
forward facing, as in humans,
which gives them binocular
vision enabling them to judge
distances well. As most bears
are active at night, their eyes are
specially adapted for night vision.
Polar bears have a special
protective membrane over their
eyes, which may help shield the
eyes from ultraviolet light, and
help them see underwater.
Hearing
Bears have better hearing than
humans and, like dogs, are more
sensitive to higher pitched sounds.
Smell
Bears rely more on their sense of smell than any other sense. I t is
believed that this sense is even better developed than in dogs.
They use smell to locate food, mates, to identify each other and
their young, and to avoid danger. Bears are often reported to travel
for several miles in a straight line to reach the carcass of an
animal, which they have located through their acute sense of
smell. I n fact, polar bears have been observed smelling a seal
more than 32 km away! I t is also believed that bears can detect a
human scent many hours after the person has passed by.
Bears use this keen sense of smell to communicate with each
other. By leaving their scent on trees and vegetation, they are
alerting other bears in the area to their presence.
Touch
Little is known about a bear's sense of touch, but they are often
seen delicately moving or touching objects with their nose, tongue,
and claws.
Behaviour
Bears are intelligent, have good memories and are curious
animals, all qualities needed for their adaptation to a lifestyle
where their habitat is large, varied and changeable with the
seasons. They need to remember where a particular food source
was found, what plants not to eat, where to find the best fish, and
to learn quickly what to avoid even human hunters.
Bears are usually solitary, coming together only briefly during the
mating season. Under certain conditions where there are good food
sources, such as salmon rivers, bears do gather and tolerate each
other but they observe a strict hierarchy where the dominant bears
get the best fishing sites.
Bears of the World
Bear Facts
General Information
Communication between bears is well developed and involves vocal
and visual signals and also the use of smell. Bears are generally
quite silent but use a variety of vocalisations when encountering
other bears. M other bears vocalise to their cubs, which respond
with whimpering, crying, barking and even humming. Aggressive
behaviour usually involves a direct stare and posturing, or displaying
the size of their body - often by standing on hind paws. Roaring,
displaying a wide-open jaw and exposing the teeth are also used in
dominance displays. I f displays fail, bears will fight and can suffer
serious wounds. Bears also communicate their presence by
scratching and rubbing scent markings on trees and use their sense
of smell to find receptive mates for breeding.
Hibernation
Hibernation is a state of inactivity and dormancy that some animals
are able to undergo to enable them to survive the harsh winter
period when there is a lack of available food.
Although we commonly say that bears hibernate, this is not strictly
correct. True hibernators go into such a deep sleep that they are
difficult to wake and may appear dead.
True hibernation takes place in many small mammals such as
dormice, squirrels and chipmunks, where the animals store up fat
reserves before the onset of winter and then go into a deep
comatose state from which they are not easily aroused. Their
metabolic rate and body temperature drop significantly during
hibernation. I n the ground squirrel, for example, the breathing rate
drops from around 200 per minute to 5 per minute, and the heart
rate from 150 to 5. Their body temperature drops from 32. 2
degrees C to 4. 4 degrees C ( from 90 down to 40 degrees F) , but if
the weather gets too cold, they will awaken to warm up, and then
return to sleep.
Deep hibernators include: hedgehogs, woodchucks, marmots,
dormice, squirrels, and some bats, frogs, toads and tortoises.
I n habitats with harsh winters, bears go into a state of dormancy,
where their body temperature and metabolic rate drops slightly, ( from
102 degrees Fahrenheit to 95 degrees) but they can awaken and
move around during their hibernating period, and may even go
outside their den.
Bears can go three to six months without any food or drink during
their "hibernation", and do not eat, drink, urinate or defecate during
this time, but females give birth and nurse their cubs whilst they are
hidden away from the world. A bear's winter sleeping heart rate is
much lower; its breathing rate is 50% , and its oxygen consumption
only 40% . Unlike many "true hibernators, " bears can awake quickly
at any moment during hibernation.
Not all bears hibernate however. Brown bears, American black
bears and Asiatic black bears living in cold climates will hibernate.
Those living in warmer climates, such as the giant panda,
spectacled, sun and sloth bear remain active throughout the winter
season. The reason for this is that hibernation is not simply a
reaction for the animal to escape from the extremes of the winter; it
is a physiological response to the seasonal disappearance of its
normal food supply. I n areas of the world where winter conditions
are harsh, such as the more northerly parts of America and Eurasia,
the bears' main sources of food - plants, berries, fruits etc. become
scarce or disappear altogether.
Bears of the World
photo: J im Hutchinson
I n these areas during the autumn, bears fatten themselves by eating
enormous quantities of food, often up to 20, 000 calories per day!
This is stored in the body as a layer of fat, which can be up to six
inches thick. This stored energy will be slowly used up during its
long sleep so that when the bear emerges after months in its den, it
will have lost up to a third of its body weight.
Depending on the climate, bears can remain in their den for up to
7 months. I t is no wonder that the American I ndians believed the
bears were 're-born' when they re-emerged from their den after so
many months. Females with cubs tend to emerge from their dens
later than other bears. I n the polar bear's habitat, fish and seals
are a constant source of food so the bears do not hibernate,
despite the cold weather. Female polar bears do hibernate,
however, if they are going to have cubs.
The dens where the bears secrete themselves away for the winter
vary in design and location. They can either be in natural caves,
hollows, under large boulders or even in old tree trunks, or the
bear may dig a chamber in the ground. Polar bears dig dens into
the snow. Bedding in the form of leaves and moss is dragged into
the den to insulate it from the cold and to camouflage it.
Sometimes bears use the same den year after year, while others
find or dig a new one each time.
All bears can swim and all except the polar bear are good at
climbing trees.
Diet
Bears are
omnivorous and
tend to seek food
from a variety of
sources. Plants,
fruits, nuts, berries,
fish and carrion
( dead animals) are
eaten by many
bears, but some are
more specialist
feeders. Polar bears
are the most
carnivorous bear,
feeding mainly on
seals. Sloth bears
feed mainly on
termites and ants,
while giant pandas
feed mainly on
bamboo. All bears
love honey and
other sweet foods.
Bears tend to eat
what is available
and in season.
photo: Andy Rouse
photo: J . Clarke
Reproduction
Female bears ( sows) are able to start breeding when they are 3-5
years old, and usually give birth to between 1 and 3 cubs. At
birth, bear cubs weigh around 300-400 g, except for the giant
panda whose cubs weigh only around 140 g.
Cubs stay with the mother for 2-3 years before venturing off on
their own. M ale bears ( boars) become sexually mature at around
3-5 years.
Bears generally mate in the late spring or summer, except for sun
bears and sloth bears, which in some areas breed all year round.
Bears exhibit delayed implantation, ensuring that the fertilised egg
does not implant in the wall of the womb until October or
November, after which it takes around two months to develop into
a bear cub, which will be born in the den around January. The
reason for delaying implantation is to ensure that the cub is born
in the safety of the hibernation den. I t also acts as a safety
mechanism to ensure that the female can survive pregnancy; if
there is insufficient food available in the autumn ( fall) the female
may not be in good physical condition to undertake the heavy
nutritional demands of pregnancy and feeding a cub, and in this
case the egg will not implant and be aborted.
Bear milk is very rich, having a fat content as high as 46% ,
compared to human milk at 4% . This rich milk allows the tiny,
blind, and almost naked cubs to grow at a rapid rate.
World Society for the Protection of Animals
89 Albert Embankment
London SE1 7TP
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7587 5000
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7793 0208
Email: wspa@wspa.org.uk
Web: www.wspa-international.org
Bears of the World
photo: Sven Arnstein
Bears of the World
Bear Facts
Threats to Bears
Habitat Destruction
As with so many other species around the world, loss of habitat
through deforestation, human encroachment, and agriculture is
having a massive detrimental effect on many bear populations.
Without properly protected habitats, large enough in area to
sustain viable population levels, many species of bear will simply
not be able to survive in the wild.
Bears once lived throughout Europe but today the vast forests
which once covered the land have been destroyed to make way for
the growth of towns, cities and motorways as well as the vast
agricultural fields. Brown bears were hunted to extinction in
Britains forests in the 10th century. I n Western Europe these
animals have disappeared from most areas. Spain, Greece and
I taly have small remnant populations of individuals left around
100 bears in each country. I n France there are perhaps 6 brown
bears left in the country isolated in the southern area of the
French Pyrenees.
Bears in Asia are threatened with massive deforestation of their
habitat. I n I ndonesia, the logging and mining industries, and also
increasing forest fires, are destroying thousands of square
kilometres of prime forest habitat each year.
Polar bears live in the most inhospitable of areas the ice packs of
the Arctic, but even their habitat is under severe threat. This is
mainly in the form of pollution from oil spills resulting from the
massive oil exploration being undertaken in that region of the
world. There is also a growing threat from global warming which
is slowly warming the northern ice packs and gradually melting the
ice from beneath the
paws of these bears,
which have adapted
to their particular icy
lifestyle.
All eight species of bears are under threat all over
the world mainly from M an and M ans activities.
The main threat is the rapid and continued
destruction of their habitat, but bears are also caught
from the wild for zoos and circuses, killed for their
furs, meat, gall bladders and paws, farmed for their
bile and used in cruel spectacles and sports such as
bear-baiting and dancing bears.
photo: Andy Rouse
photo: Karl Ammann
photo: Karl Ammann
Trade in Bear Products
The illegal trade in bear parts is common in many Asian countries.
High prices can be fetched for parts such as gall bladders, which
are used in Traditional Chinese M edicine ( TCM ) because of its
supposed medicinal properties. Bear teeth and claws are sold as
trinkets and various parts of the bear are sold as food delicacies.
There is also a huge demand for bear bile which is met by the
killing of wild bears and by a practice known as bear farming.
Bears are kept in cramped cages, hardly big enough for them to
turn around in, and have bile extracted daily through a tube
inserted into an opening made directly into the gall bladder. This
incredibly cruel practice is most widespread in China and leads to
severe distress and pain for the bears. A WSPA investigation has
shown that bear bile farmed in China is sold illegally abroad in
many countries in Asia and the West.
Dancing Bears
The life of a dancing bear begins early on as cubs are poached
from the wild or bought from disreputable zoos. Forced to undergo
a brutal training regime, the cubs have their nose or lips pierced
with a thick iron ring on a chain. From that day on, the bears are
slaves to the whim of their owners, with the slightest movement of
the chain causing them agony and enabling their owners to make
them perform a grotesque dance in a desperate effort to avoid the
pain of the chain. The cubs may also have had their teeth and
claws removed to make them easier to handle, and as a result
they can never be returned to the wild. WSPA has eradicated the
use of dancing bears in Greece and Turkey by helping the
government to confiscate the bears and re-homing them in safe
forested sanctuary enclosures.
Bear Baiting
Bear baiting was made illegal in most countries over 100 years
ago but this cruel practice still persists today in Pakistan. WSPA's
first investigation in Pakistan, undertaken in 1993, found evidence
Bears of the World
of 80 different contests involving
300 bears. The setting of
fighting dogs against bears
inflicts appalling suffering on
both animals. Of all the ways in
which bears are mistreated
around the world, the medieval
sport of bear baiting must be
one of the most barbaric and
obscene. But now, as a result of
WSPAs work, bear baiting has
been almost eradicated, and
through continued co-operation
with the Pakistan authorities,
WSPA aims to stamp out bear
baiting for good.
Hunting
Reasons for hunting vary. I n
many parts of the world, bear
hunting is regarded as a sport in
itself, with the body of the bear
being a much sought after
trophy. I n other countries it is
the bears body parts that fuel
hunting activities. Bears are
hunted for their meat, their gall
bladders and bile, and for body
parts such as the feet and
claws, which fetch high prices
on the black market. I n many
rural areas the bears are
regarded as pests and a danger
to farmers and their families and
many bears are unnecessarily
killed as a result. Adult females
are often shot so that their cubs
can be taken and sold as pets
and tourist attractions - never to
return to the wild.
Zoos and Circuses
Bears are regularly used in
circuses and animal shows to
entertain the public. When the
bears are not performing degrading
tricks for the audiences, they are
kept in cramped cages travelling
from one town to the next. Bears
are also very common in zoos and
animal parks where living
conditions are often extremely
poor. Bears often languish for
years in barren enclosures with
little or no environmental
enrichment. I t is sad to see that
many zoos have no understanding
of the needs of animals such as
bears. I n the wild these animals
would roam over many miles each
day, climbing trees, digging for
insects, catching fish in rivers, but
in many zoos all they have is a
small concrete enclosure. I n
Japan this is taken to the extreme
in their "Bear Parks" which often
have 50 bears in each concrete
pit. With nothing to occupy them
these animals frequently end up
fighting and receiving serious
wounds. The only way to stop
this cruelty is to educate the
public as to the true needs of
bears.
Bears of the World
Bear Facts
Bear Safe
An increasing number of people are living or take their holidays in
bear country. But many people do not know how to live safely
with their wild neighbours. A bear is quickly labelled a "nuisance"
or a "pest" when it becomes attracted to the smells of our food
and rubbish. All too often, the problem is solved by killing the
bear. But you can discourage curious bears looking for an easy
meal. Carelessly stored food, garbage and even pet food can all
attract bears, making them a potential problem. By eliminating
the source of the attraction, you eliminate visits from "nuisance"
bears - and keep other bears from becoming a problem in the
future.
Bears are opportunistic omnivores that feed on a variety of foods,
including: berries, vegetation and insects. Some species eat meat,
as well as fish. But bears will also eat and enjoy many of the
same foods humans eat.
Bears are wild animals, and should not be approached if you
encounter them in the wild.
Contrary to popular perception, bears are not usually aggressive
towards humans and will usually try to avoid humans as much as
possible. Bears are naturally shy and retiring creatures that
typically only act aggressively when threatened. However, a
hungry bear may enter a backyard or campground if lured by the
smells from a barbecue or rubbish bin. They will remember an
easy source of food and will keep returning if the food source is
not properly disposed of.
A bears sense of smell and hearing is far superior to that of a
human, and its eyesight is at least as good. Despite their
somewhat lumbering appearance, bears can move fast and are
extremely strong. They have been known to bend open car doors
and break open windows when they can smell food.
M aking your campsite, or home Bear Safe is often as simple as
removing the food sources that attract bears. You can protect
yourself, your family, belongings, and also protect bears from
being killed by following some simple steps in this Bear Safe
guide.
photo: Daniel J .Cox/ www.naturalexposures.com
Cooking outdoors
Be alert when cooking food outdoors. I f bears are nearby, they may
be attracted by the smell.
At your campsite:
Garbage Disposal
Don't leave food, garbage or pet food outside where bears will
smell it.
Garbage should be deposited in bear-proof containers or wrapped
up and stored in your vehicle until it can be dumped safely.
Otherwise, place all garbage in several layers of plastic bags; find
two trees around 20 feet apart and hang the bags suspended
between them ( at least 10 - 15 feet above the ground and 100
yards away from your camp. )
Food Storage
Food should be stored in your vehicle or hung suspended in the
same manner as garbage ( as detailed above) . Don't bring food into
your tent - this includes toothpaste, perfume and chocolate bars.
Burn food scraps and wash tins after eating.
Cooking
Cooking areas should be well away from your tents ( at least 100
yards downwind. ) Remove the clothing you wore while cooking
before going to sleep as they may smell of the food, and store
them in your vehicle or hang suspended with your food ( see
above) . Wash all dishes immediately after eating.
Camp Setup
Be careful when camping next to a river or stream as it makes it
hard for bears to hear you. Avoid setting up camp near natural
bear food sources. Never camp near an animal carcass, garbage,
or berry bushes that are bearing fruit.
Spotting a bear outside your home or cottage, or while hiking
along some backcountry trail, can be terrifying to some and
delightful to others. I n either case the best approach is to play it
safe. Never approach the bears and never feed them. I f you have
taken precautions, the bear should find nothing of interest and
move on, leaving you with a rare and beautiful memory of your
wildlife encounter.
For more information on camping, walking and living in bear
country, see WSPAs website for a more detailed Bear Safe guide
Common Myths About Bears:
Myth: People travelling in bear country are often attacked.
FACT: Bear attacks are extremely rare. Although there are
hundreds of human-bear encounters in North America
every year, very few result in personal injury. M ost bears
will actually retreat before you are even aware of their
presence. I t is still important, however, to stay alert.
Myth: All mother bears attack to defend their cubs.
FACT: Female bears rarely attack defensively. She is most likely
to try and warn you off or escape and collect her cubs
later, but it is best to stay away from all cubs even if
they are by themselves. The mother is probably nearby.
Myth: A bear that rears on its hind legs is getting ready to
attack.
FACT: A bear standing on its hind legs is usually trying to
catch your scent or get a better look at you. Bears rarely
attack and when they do they attack on all fours.
Myth: Bears that wander into inhabited areas such as
campsites, rural towns, or cottage communities are
dangerous. I t is often necessary, if unfortunate, to kill
these bears.
FACT: Bears may travel hundreds of miles in their search for
food, and they may often walk near or through
someone's property. I f you have stored your food and
garbage properly, the bear is likely to move on.
Remember, problem bears aren't born - they're made. I f
bears are hanging around, something is attracting them.
Removing the attraction will usually solve the problem.
Humans and bears can live together.
World Society for the Protection of Animals
89 Albert Embankment
London SE1 7TP
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7587 5000
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7793 0208
Email: wspa@wspa.org.uk
Web: www.wspa-international.org
Bears of the World
Bears of the World
Bear Facts
Bear Questions
1. Which bear species has the most widespread distribution in
the world?
2. What is the rarest species of bear and what are the reasons
why there are so few of these bears?
3. Which is the largest species of bear in the world, and which
is the smallest?
4. Which continents do not have any bears?
5. How are polar bears adapted to living in their environment?
6. What specialised features have sloth bears evolved to cope
with their diet?
7. What is unusual about the front paws of the giant panda?
8. What is the other name for the Asiatic black bear and how
did it get this name?
9. Which is the only bear to inhabit South America and in
which countries can it be found?
10. I n how many USA states can you find the American black
bear? I n which other countries can it be found?
11. What is hibernation? Which bear species hibernate and what
is the main reason for this?
12. Bears are omnivorous; what does this mean? Name some of
the foods that bears eat. Which bear has the most restricted
diet and how might this effect its survival in the wild?
13. List five threats to bears worldwide. M any bears are
threatened by habitat destruction, how does this threat affect
a) Polar bears
b) Brown bears in Europe?
14. Using the world map provided ( and any atlas available to
you) list, for each of the eight bear species, the countries
where they can be found.
15. Using the information provided here, and in other books,
write a detailed account of the life of one species of bear.
16. Write an account of bear farming ( for bear bile) and the
illegal trade in bear products. Use the information provided,
or check the WSPA website ( www. wspa-international. org ) .
17. What are the main welfare concerns for bears kept in
captivity in zoos and circuses?
18. Design a bear-safe poster, which could be used to inform
the public living or holidaying in bear country.
19. I magine you are a bear in any one of these situations: 1) a
dancing bear; 2) a bear in a bear bile cage; 3) a bear in a
circus/zoo. Write an account of the day in the life of such a
bear.
20. Carry out the following role-play exercise; you are taking part
in a radio/TV discussion programme on the subject of bear
farming. One person each needs to take the part of: a) a
bear-bile farmer; b) a government spokesperson: c) a TCM
trader; d) an animal welfare investigator and e) the
interviewer. Each person will need to be able to defend his or
her position in the debate. The rest of the class will be the
studio audience.
Bears of the World
American Black Bear
(Ursus americanus)
APPEARANCE
M edium-sized black furred bear
with a brown muzzle, but its coat
can also be blue-grey, cream
( Kermode bears) , and even brown,
which often results in people
confusing them with brown bears.
They lack the shoulder hump seen in the brown bears, and have
strong, highly curved claws which are used for digging and
climbing.
SIZE
Adult male black bears range from about 1. 3 to 1. 9 metres in
length and weigh 60 to 300 kilograms. Black bears vary
considerably in size, depending on the quality of the food
available. M ales may be from about 20 to 60 percent larger than
females. At birth, cubs weigh 225 to 330 grams.
HABITAT
Black bears are normally found in both arid and moist forested
areas from sea level to over 2, 000 metres in North America. They
are good tree climbers and strong swimmers. They often live in the
same habitat as brown bears. They hibernate in the harsh winters
of the northern areas.
DISTRIBUTION
Black bears are widely distributed throughout the forested areas of
North America although they have been totally driven out from
some of their original range. They are presently found in northern
M exico, 32 states of the United States, and all the provinces and
territories of Canada except Prince Edward I sland.
REPRODUCTION
Females reach sexual maturity at three to four years of age and
males a year or so later. M ating takes place in June, July and
August, and pairs may remain together for only a few days.
Pregnancy lasts about 220 days and the cubs are born in a den in
January and February. Litter size ranges from one to five, but two
is the average. Cubs may be weaned at six to eight months, but
they remain with their mothers for a year-and-a-half. Lifespan in
the wild is 20 to 25 years.
World Society for the Protection of Animals
89 Albert Embankment
London SE1 7TP
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7587 5000
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7793 0208
Email: wspa@wspa.org.uk
Web: www.wspa-international.org
Bears of the World
DIET
Black bears are omnivorous ( feeding on both plant and
animal material) and feed on a wide range of foods,
depending on what is available. I nsects, nuts, berries,
acorns, grasses, roots and other vegetation form the bulk of
their diet in most areas. Black bears can also be efficient
predators of deer fawns and moose calves. I n some areas of
coastal British Columbia and Alaska they also feed on
spawning salmon.
THREATS AND STATUS
The most numerous of all bear species with around
600, 000 in the wild. Legal hunting for sport, trophy and
pests accounts for the deaths of over 40, 000 bears
annually. Hunting with dogs and with bows and
inexperienced hunters causes much suffering to bears. A
growing number of these bears are killed just for the gall
bladder, which is sought after in Traditional Chinese
M edicine. Listed on Appendix I I of CI TES*.
photo: IBBR
*The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement to
which over 160 countries have signed up. I t was established in 1973 to control the trade in endangered wild animal and plant species.
Species are listed in three appendices, according to the level of threat imposed on the species. Species listed on Appendix I receive the
greatest level of protection from international trade, whilst those on Appendices I I and I I I receive lower levels of protection. Please see
the CI TES website for further information ( www. cites. org)
Bears of the World
Asiatic Black Bear
(Ursus thibetanus)
APPEARANCE
This medium-sized, black bear has a light muzzle and a long
haired ruff around the neck. They have a distinct white patch on
the chest, which is often in the shape of a V or crescent like a
moon, which gives the bear its common name of M oon Bear.
Some bears may be brown in colour.
SIZE
Adult males range from 100 to 200 kilograms in weight and
around 1. 9 metres in length. Adult females range from 50 to
125 kilograms. Their long fur often makes them appear larger.
HABITAT
Asiatic black bears live mainly in forested areas and spend much
time high up in the trees, where they make nests of broken
branches to sleep. I n summer, they often live in forested mountain
areas, descending to lower elevations during winter. I n the
northern parts of their range, such as in northern China and
Japan, they hibernate in dens during winter. Where these bears
are found in more southerly and warmer climates, such as
Thailand and Vietnam, the bears do not to hibernate. They are
mainly nocturnal.
DISTRIBUTION
Asiatic black bears are found over a wide area of southern Asia.
They occur along the mountains from Afghanistan, through
Pakistan and northern I ndia, Nepal, through to Vietnam, Thailand,
Cambodia and north-eastern China. They are also found in south-
eastern Russia, in Taiwan and Japan.
REPRODUCTION
Sexual maturity of females is thought to occur at three to four years
of age. M ating occurs in June and July, with births occurring
between December and February. I n Pakistan, mating has been
reported to occur in October, with young being born in February.
Cubs are weaned at less than six months old, but may stay with
their mothers for two to three years. These bears live to around 25
years in the wild.
*The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement to
which over 160 countries have signed up. I t was established in 1973 to control the trade in endangered wild animal and plant species.
Species are listed in three appendices, according to the level of threat imposed on the species. Species listed on Appendix I receive the
greatest level of protection from international trade, whilst those on Appendices I I and I I I receive lower levels of protection. Please see
the CI TES website for further information ( www. cites. org)
DIET
Asiatic black bears feed on a wide range of foods, including many
plants, fruits, insects, invertebrates, small vertebrates and carrion.
They occasionally kill domestic livestock.
THREATS AND STATUS
The bears are threatened by destruction of forest habitat, hunting
for gall bladders and body parts. I n China, around 9000 Asiatic
black bears are kept in small cages in Bear Farms, where they
have their bile drained each day. Bear bile is used in traditional
medicines, wines and tonics in China and other Asian countries.
I n Pakistan they are used as dancing bears and for the cruel sport
of bear baiting. Numbers unknown but believed to be around
60, 000 left in the wild. Listed on CI TES Appendix I * .
World Society for the Protection of Animals
89 Albert Embankment
London SE1 7TP
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7587 5000
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7793 0208
Email: wspa@wspa.org.uk
Web: www.wspa-international.org
Bears of the World
Bears of the World
Brown Bear
(Ursus arctos)
APPEARANCE
The brown bear is a large, usually dark brown furred bear, though
it can vary from a light creamy shade through to almost black. The
long guard hairs over the shoulders and back are often tipped with
white, giving it a grizzled appearance giving rise to the common
name in North America of grizzly bear. The brown bear is
characterized by a distinctive hump over the shoulders, a slightly
flat profile to the face, and long claws on the front paws.
SIZE
Brown bears are found in many countries and the different
populations vary greatly in size, depending on the food available.
Adult males may be up to 2. 5 metres in length and weigh 135 to
390 kilograms. Females weigh between 95 to 205 kilos. The
largest brown bears are found on the offshore islands along coastal
Alaska, such as Kodiak and Admiralty, where males average over
300 kilos and females over 200 kilos. Brown bears from the
interior ranges of North America and Europe are roughly two-thirds
the size of their Alaskan cousins. At birth, cubs weigh 340 to 680
grams.
HABITAT
Brown bears occupy a wide range of habitats from dense forests
and sub-alpine meadows to arctic tundra. They were once
abundant on the central plains of North America, but have since
been hunted extensively, pushing the remaining populations into
the remote forests and mountains.
DISTRIBUTION
The brown bear is the most widespread bear species, ranging
across North America, through northern Russia and Asia and into
the northern island of Hokkaido in Japan. Localised populations
are found in Europe, with small numbers found in Greece, I taly
and Spain. I n North America, brown bears are found in western
Canada and Alaska, but only a thousand or so are left in the states
of Wyoming, M ontana, I daho, and Washington.
Asia
USA
Europe
REPRODUCTION
M ale and female brown bears reach sexual maturity at four to
seven years of age. M ating takes place from early M ay to the
middle of July but implantation of the fertilised egg does not occur
until about October or November. Between one and four cubs are
born from January to M arch. Cubs remain with their mothers for at
least two-and-a-half years. Life span in the wild is 20 to 25 years.
DIET
Brown bears are omnivores but their main diet consists of
vegetation such as grasses, sedges, bulbs and roots. They also eat
ants, fish, honey and small mammals, and in some areas they
have become significant predators of large hoofed mammals such
as moose, caribou and elk. Brown bears congregate at high
densities where food is abundant, such as at salmon streams or
garbage dumps.
THREATS AND STATUS
They are threatened by destruction of forest habitat due to mans
activities. I n many countries they are hunted for sport or as pests.
I n Europe they were caught from the wild to be used as dancing
bears but this cruel practice is being eradicated. M ost populations
of brown bear are listed on CI TES Appendix I I * , with more
threatened populations in Bhutan, China, M exico and M ongolia
being protected on Appendix 1. There are around 125, 000 left in
the wild.
World Society for the Protection of Animals
89 Albert Embankment
London SE1 7TP
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7587 5000
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7793 0208
Email: wspa@wspa.org.uk
Web: www.wspa-international.org
Bears of the World
photo: Andy Rouse
*The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement to
which over 160 countries have signed up. I t was established in 1973 to control the trade in endangered wild animal and plant species.
Species are listed in three appendices, according to the level of threat imposed on the species. Species listed on Appendix I receive the
greatest level of protection from international trade, whilst those on Appendices I I and I I I receive lower levels of protection. Please see
the CI TES website for further information ( www. cites. org)
Bears of the World
Giant Panda
(Ailuropoda melanoleuca)
APPEARANCE
Their black and white fur, with black around the eyes and ears on
a white furred face have made giant pandas one of the most easily
recognised animals in the world. They have larger heads,
compared to their bodies, than other bears, but their most unusual
characteristic is that they have six digits on their front paws. This
extra digit has developed from its wrist bone, and is used as an
opposable thumb by which the bear can grasp bamboo shoots
when feeding.
SIZE
Adult pandas range in size from around 1. 6 metres to 1. 9 metres
and weigh from 85 to 125 kilos. Females are smaller, weighing
between 70 and 100 kilos.
HABITAT
Giant pandas live in high altitude bamboo forests ( between 1, 200
metres and 3, 500 metres) in the mountains of China. The home
range of giant pandas tends to be around 8 square kilometres for
males and 4 square kilometres for females. They spend most of
their time on the ground, but they are good climbers and often
sleep in tree branches, being mainly active at night.
DISTRIBUTION
Pandas are only found in six small remote areas of southwest
China; in Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu provinces. I n total, their
distribution covers just 14, 000 square kilometres.
REPRODUCTION
Pandas are sexually mature at around 5 years old and mating
takes place during M arch to M ay. Pandas give birth in the safety
of caves or in tree hollows, where one or two cubs ( rarely three)
are born in August or September. At birth, panda cubs weigh only
around 100 grams. Cubs stay with the mother for around 18
months.
DIET
Ninety nine per cent of the giant pandas diet is bamboo. They eat
the shoots, leaves, stems and branches of around 30 species of
bamboo. Feeding is mainly done on the ground with the panda
stripping the bamboo leaves and stems with its opposable thumb.
I ts powerful jaw muscles and large teeth are used to grind and
crush the bamboo stems. Adult pandas can eat 15 kilos of
bamboo leaves and stems but when feeding on new bamboo
shoots they are capable of eating over 30 kilos per day. They do
eat a small amount of other local plants and occasionally they eat
meat if they find dead animals.
THREATS AND STATUS
Giant pandas are endangered, with only 1000 believed to live in
the wild. I n the wild the life span of the giant panda ranges from
25 to 30 years. The main threat to these rare animals is
deforestation of their bamboo habitat to create agricultural land.
Some poaching occurs despite severe penalties. There are
currently around 110 pandas in captivity, but they do not breed
well under these conditions. However, zoos around the world pay
high prices to rent pandas to attract customers, and there is
controversy over whether these funds are used for panda
conservation in China. They are on Appendix I of CI TES*.
World Society for the Protection of Animals
89 Albert Embankment
London SE1 7TP
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7587 5000
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7793 0208
Email: wspa@wspa.org.uk
Web: www.wspa-international.org
Bears of the World
ARDEALondon M.Watson
*The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement to
which over 160 countries have signed up. I t was established in 1973 to control the trade in endangered wild animal and plant species.
Species are listed in three appendices, according to the level of threat imposed on the species. Species listed on Appendix I receive the
greatest level of protection from international trade, whilst those on Appendices I I and I I I receive lower levels of protection. Please see
the CI TES website for further information ( www. cites. org)
Bears of the World
Polar Bear
(Ursus maritimus)
APPEARANCE
Although they are known as the
white bears, polar bear fur is
actually transparent, and their
skin is black. Each hair shaft is
hollow and reflects the visible
light, giving the fur its white to
cream appearance. Polar bears
have a smaller head and longer
neck than other bears, and no
shoulder hump. Their ears are
also smaller, to prevent excess
heat loss in the freezing Arctic
conditions. Unlike other bears,
the soles of their large feet are
padded with fur and covered by
small, soft bumps known as
papillae, which give a better grip
on the ice.
SIZE
The polar bear is the largest land carnivore alive in the world
today. Adult male polar bears can weigh over 800 kg and grow to
over 2. 5 metres in length. Even adult females, weighing around
300 kg and 2 metres in length, are larger than most other bear
species. At birth, cubs weigh 600 to 700 grams.
HABITAT
The inhospitable Arctic sea and ice are home to the polar bear.
The bears tend to stay near to the southern edge of the polar ice-
sheets, where they can prey on seals. The bears are excellent
swimmers and close their nostrils and flatten their ears when
underwater. Their fore paws have webbed membranes to assist
swimming. A thick layer of subcutaneous fat under the skin
prevents the bear from freezing in the icy sea. Winter temperatures
in the Arctic often plunge to -40C but the polar bears body
temperature remains at an average mammalian 37 C.
DISTRIBUTION
Polar bears are found throughout the circumpolar Arctic region of
the USA, Canada, Greenland, Norway and Russia. Around 60% of
the worlds polar bear population are found in Canada. The farthest
south that polar bears live all year round is James Bay in Canada,
which is about the same latitude as London, England.
REPRODUCTION
Polar bears mate in April/ M ay. I mplantation and development of
the fertilized egg is delayed until late September to early October
and the cubs are born between late November and early January.
Two or three cubs are usually born and they remain with their
mothers until they are two-and-a-half years of age, so the most
often that females normally breed is once every three years. Polar
bears can live up to 25 years of age in the wild.
A
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D
E
A
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o
n
d
o
n

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.
W
a
t
s
o
n
*The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement to
which over 160 countries have signed up. I t was established in 1973 to control the trade in endangered wild animal and plant species.
Species are listed in three appendices, according to the level of threat imposed on the species. Species listed on Appendix I receive the
greatest level of protection from international trade, whilst those on Appendices I I and I I I receive lower levels of protection. Please see
the CI TES website for further information ( www. cites. org)
DIET
Polar bears are the most carnivorous of all the bears. They have
adapted to a life in the harshest icy conditions, where the plant life
is covered by snow for much of the year. When the ice melts, the
bears feed on new growths of plants, berries, even mushrooms and
birds eggs, but their main food supply comes in the form of seals -
mainly the ringed seal, walrus calves, fish and sea birds. When
eating seals, they feed mainly on the blubber ( fat) as this contains
the most energy. They may eat 50 kilos of blubber in one meal.
THREATS AND STATUS
Polar bears are listed on CI TES Appendix I I * . There are around
25-27, 000 left in the wild, and the population is stable due to
protection measures, but theyare continuallythreatened bypollution due
to oil exploration and potentially toxic chemicals such as PCBs in the
Arctic environment. Some bears are hunted for their gall bladders.
World Society for the Protection of Animals
89 Albert Embankment
London SE1 7TP
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7587 5000
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7793 0208
Email: wspa@wspa.org.uk
Web: www.wspa-international.org
Bears of the World
Photo: Lynch
Bears of the World
Sloth Bear
(Melursus ursinus)
APPEARANCE
The sloth bear is a medium sized
bear with a long black shaggy coat,
especially over the shoulders. They
have a distinctive whitish or
yellowish chest patch in the shape
of a wide U. The snout is light
coloured and mobile. They lack the
upper two middle incisor teeth,
which is a specialised adaptation to
their feeding habit of sucking up
termites and other insects. The
front paws have curved claws up to
8 cm long, used for digging.
SIZE
Adults are 1. 5 to 1. 9 metres long.
M ales weigh 80 to 145 kilograms
and females weigh 55 to 95
kilograms. Their shaggy coat makes
them appear larger.
HABITAT
Sloth bears live in a variety of habitats, from the dry thorn forests
and grasslands of northern I ndia to the more humid tropical forests
in the south. Their most favourable habitat seems to be the dry,
deciduous tall grass forests of central I ndia.
DISTRIBUTION
M ost sloth bears are found in I ndia and Sri Lanka, but they have
also been reported in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan.
REPRODUCTION
M ating generally occurs from M ay to July. Gestation ( period from
mating to birth) lasts from six to seven months. M ost litters consist
of either one or two cubs, which are born in earth dens. Cubs stay
with their mother for up to two-and-a-half-years, and are often
transported around by clinging to the fur on their mothers back,
even when fleeing from danger. These bears live to about 25
years in the wild.
DIET
Sloth bears feed extensively on termites and have special
adaptations for doing this. The bear uses its long powerful claws to
break open termite mounds. The naked lips are capable of
protruding, and the inner pair of upper incisors are missing, which
forms a gap through which termites can be sucked. The sucking
noises made by feeding in this manner can apparently be heard
from over 100 metres away. They also eat eggs, other insects,
honeycombs, dead animals, and various kinds of vegetation. Their
diet varies between termites, ants and fruit depending on the
seasons.
photo: Andy Rouse
*The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement to
which over 160 countries have signed up. I t was established in 1973 to control the trade in endangered wild animal and plant species.
Species are listed in three appendices, according to the level of threat imposed on the species. Species listed on Appendix I receive the
greatest level of protection from international trade, whilst those on Appendices I I and I I I receive lower levels of protection. Please see
the CI TES website for further information ( www. cites. org)
World Society for the Protection of Animals
89 Albert Embankment
London SE1 7TP
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7587 5000
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7793 0208
Email: wspa@wspa.org.uk
Web: www.wspa-international.org
Bears of the World
THREATS AND STATUS
Widespread deforestation is the main threat to sloth bears, leaving
their habitat patchy, and sloth bear populations outside protected
areas are decreasing. Young sloth bears are captured and trained
as "dancing bears", which usually results in the mother bears being
killed. Large numbers of sloth bears are killed by poachers for the
trade in bear paws and gall bladders. Their population numbers
are unknown, but are believed to be less than 25, 000. They are
listed on CI TES Appendix I * .
photo: Andy Rouse
Bears of the World
Spectacled Bear
(Tremarctos ornatus)
APPEARANCE
The spectacled bear is small and dark, ranging in colour from
black to brown with distinctive circular or semicircular creamy
white markings on the face around the eyes - giving the
impression of spectacles. These light to golden marks often extend
over its muzzle and down to its chest, varying from bear to bear.
The fur is somewhat shaggy.
SIZE
These are intermediate sized bears. Adult male spectacled bears
can measure up to 2 metres in length and can weigh over 170 kg,
but the average size is closer to 1. 8 metres in length, and 100 kg
in weight, with a 3 inch long tail. Females are smaller; two thirds
the size of males.
At birth, cubs weigh from 300 to 360 grams.
HABITAT
Spectacled bears are highly adaptable and are found in a wide
range of habitats around the South American Andes mountains,
including rainforest, cloud forest, dry forest, steppe lands and
coastal scrub desert. Possibly, because of loss of habitat and
persecution by humans, they appear to be more common in heavy
forest.
DISTRIBUTION
This is the only bear species living in South America. In fact it is the
only bear which lives solely in the southern hemisphere. They are
mainly found in fragmented small populations in the Andes
M ountains in Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia.
REPRODUCTION
Females reach sexual maturity around four years of age. They seem
to have adapted to breed at various times of the year through M arch
to October, depending on the fruiting season, with gestation periods
lasting between 6 to 8 months. Young are usually born around
December to February, in time for the flowering of the fruit season.
Their life span in the wild is around 25 years.
*The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement to
which over 160 countries have signed up. I t was established in 1973 to control the trade in endangered wild animal and plant species.
Species are listed in three appendices, according to the level of threat imposed on the species. Species listed on Appendix I receive the
greatest level of protection from international trade, whilst those on Appendices I I and I I I receive lower levels of protection. Please see
the CI TES website for further information ( www. cites. org)
DIET
Compared to other bears, spectacled bears have a more vegetarian
diet. However, meat can make up a small percentage of their diet
at certain times of the year when they will eat insects, small
animals and even take cattle given the opportunity. Their main
diet is extremely varied and consists of fruit, berries, honey and
agricultural crops such as maize and sugarcane. Cactus, tough
palm nuts and spiny leaved bromeliad plants rejected by most
animals are easily chewed up by the bears' strong teeth and
powerful jaws. Tree nests are often constructed as a platform to
feed from fruit-laden branches and to sleep in.
THREATS AND STATUS
The main threat is human encroachment into the bears' habitat.
Slash and burning for crop and livestock farming has taken a heavy
toll on the bears habitat. Farmers view the bears as pests and will
kill them as such. There is also a trade in bear parts for traditional
local folk medicine. Estimates vary but there may be as few as
20, 000 left in the wild. They are perhaps the most threatened of all
the bears except the Giant panda. Listed on CITES Appendix 1*.
World Society for the Protection of Animals
89 Albert Embankment
London SE1 7TP
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7587 5000
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7793 0208
Email: wspa@wspa.org.uk
Web: www.wspa-international.org
Bears of the World
photo: J . Clarke
Bears of the World
Sun Bear
(Helarctos malayanus)
APPEARANCE
The sun bear is the smallest bear species and has a more
dog-like appearance than any of the other bear species.
They have bandy legs and the paws have hairless soles and
long powerful claws for digging and climbing. Their black
fur, unlike other bears, is very short and dense. Sun bears
get their common name from the yellowish "U" shaped
crescent on the chest. They have a very long, flexible tongue
which is used to lap up honey and insects.
SIZE
Sun bears are generally about the size of a medium sized
dog, weighing on average around 40kg and measuring just
over 1 metre in length, although their maximum size is
around 1. 5 metres and 65 kg in weight.
HABITAT
These small bears inhabit dense tropical rain forest,
spending much of their time high up in the trees, using their
long claws to climb easily in search of fruits. They even
make nests of broken branches high in the tree's canopy in
which they sleep. On the ground, they continually search
through the leaves and fallen branches for food. As food is
available all year round in the tropical forest these bears do
not hibernate.
DISTRIBUTION
Less is known about the sun bear than any of the other
bears of the world. Their range today is diminishing, but they are
still found in the tropical forests of Burma, Laos, Cambodia,
Vietnam, Thailand, M alaysia, Borneo and the I ndonesian island of
Sumatra. Few are believed to be left in I ndia and southern China.
REPRODUCTION
Females are mature at three years old, and one or two cubs are
born after a 95 day gestation period, although in some captive
bears this has been twice as long, suggesting there has been a
delayed implantation of the egg. New-born cubs are blind,
hairless, and weigh little over 300 grams. Cubs usually stay with
their mother for several years. Lifespan in the wild is unknown.
photo: Andy Rouse
*The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement to
which over 160 countries have signed up. I t was established in 1973 to control the trade in endangered wild animal and plant species.
Species are listed in three appendices, according to the level of threat imposed on the species. Species listed on Appendix I receive the
greatest level of protection from international trade, whilst those on Appendices I I and I I I receive lower levels of protection. Please see
the CI TES website for further information ( www. cites. org)
World Society for the Protection of Animals
89 Albert Embankment
London SE1 7TP
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7587 5000
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7793 0208
Email: wspa@wspa.org.uk
Web: www.wspa-international.org
Bears of the World
DIET
Sun bears eat many plants and fruits including
mushrooms and the growing tips of palm trees.
The bears have a particular fondness for honey,
using their powerful claws to tear open bees' nests
in trees in search of this delicacy. They also eat a
variety of insects, including termites, and any
edible lizards, rodents, eggs, even small mammals
that they may come across in the constant search
for food. They are mainly nocturnal feeders,
spending much of the daylight hours sleeping in
trees.
THREATS AND STATUS
The main threat to sun bears is the destruction of
forest habitat through large-scale timber logging
and mining industries and for conversion to
agricultural land. I n recent years, forest fires in
Borneo have also destroyed large areas of forest
habitat. The capture of young bears for the pet
trade, and the sale of bear paws and gall bladders also takes a
high toll on this species. Numbers are unknown. Very little
information is known about sun bears in the wild, but they are
generally considered to be a threatened species, and are listed on
CI TES Appendix I * .