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News
! The Bear Den News will hopefully provide a clearing house for those interested in
keeping abreast of bear-related developments, both positive and negative, that are
occurring around the world. Its growth will be directly impacted by the ongoing
contributions of you and others.
November 13, 1997
The largest concentration of polar bears in the world are again gathering near Churchill, Manitoba waiting for the waters of Hudson Bay to freeze for the winter. Each year, approximately 1,200 bears are forced ashore in the summer when warmer temperatures melt the sea ice. Since July, the male polar bears have been living relatively close to the coastline. The females with cubs retreated many miles inland to avoid coming in contact with the males who may kill their young. As the cold continues to chill the water and lead to ice build-up on the shore, all the polar bears are anxiously waiting to return to the sea ice. Once the ice is thick enough to support their weight, the polar bears will again be able to hunt for their favorite prey, ringed seals. Then, as if by magic, the bears will disappear almost overnight. They will not return to the Churchill area until the melting sea ice forces them ashore again next summer.
October 7, 1997
Just recently, wildlife researchers in Minnesota were able to trap an American black bear which is lighter colored than any black bear they have ever come across. State wildlife officials note that while American black bears are routinely seen with coats ranging from pure black to cinammon, they have never seen a bear this light-colored in Minnesota. The researchers are working to determine if it is possible that this bear carries the same genetic traits as the Kermode black bear, a rare white-phased American black bear that is only found on a few islands off the coast of British Columbia. The bear will be released very shortly back in the original area from which it was captured so it can find a winter den once bear-hunting season is over.
October 7, 1997
As a new feature, THE BEAR DEN is proud to announce the launch of a new page featuring in-depth reviews of new bear-related books, multi-media products, videos and bear-related gear and equipment. You now have the opportunity to get the first information on a newly released CD-ROM about bears; a new book about polar bears which doesn't reach bookstore shelves until the middle of September; and a "shouldn't be without" bear-proofing pulley system which is now on the market. New reviews will be appearing regularly at the In-Depth Reviews page.
October 7, 1997
Huan Huan, a giant panda living in the Ueno Zoological Gardens in China has died of kidney failure. She was twenty-five years old. Huan Huan had begun to lose her appetite in July of this year and began to experience breathing difficulties on Sunday, September 21st. She died shortly thereafter. Huan Huan had come to Japan from China in 1980 to commemorate the re-establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. She was considered an excellent mother and had given birth to three healthy cubs while at the Ueno Zoological Gardens. Masaru Saito, the superintendent of the zoo, has announced that a memorial service will be held.
September 10, 1997
Reports out of the Giant Panda Protection and Research Centre in the Wolong Reserve in the southwestern Sichuan province of China indicate that two giant panda cubs have recently been born. The Xinhua news agency out of China reports that the cubs weighed 150 grams (5.25 ounces) and 130 grams (4.55 ounces) respectively. Both the mother and cubs are reported to be doing well. It is not clear at this time whether the births were a product of the artificial insemination program currently underway at the Centre. With only about 1,000 giant pandas surviving in the wild, every birth of a cub, and in this case two cubs, is a time for great celebration among those working to preserve this greatly endangered bear.
August 19, 1997
On Thursday, August 14th, a woman from Texas and a man from British Columbia were both killed in an attack by an American black bear. The incident occurred in Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park located on the Alaskan Highway in British Columbia. The area is just south of the border between British Columbia and the Yukon. The woman and her two children (ages 13 and 7) were apparently walking on a trail bordered with dense bush when they were attacked. It appears the man may have been killed while trying to assist the family. In addition to the two deaths, the dead woman's 13 year-old son and an 18 year-old man from Alberta suffered significant injuries but are both expected to recover. The bear was eventually cornered and destroyed after the attack. To make sure that you are prepared as you venture into the woods, several excellent on-line bear-proofing articles are available at The Bear Den's Guide to Backcountry Wisdom. Take the time to make sure you are bear smart!
August 19, 1997
The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) recently staged a rally in London, England to try and help approximately 1200 sloth bears being held captive in India. Similar capaigns were also launched in Turkey and Greece. Hundreds of sloth bears are being taken from the wild each year and cruelly trained to 'dance" for money, according to WSPA spokespersons. The spokespersons also related that the sloth bears have all of their teeth forcibly removed while they are cubs and when used at certain ceremonies, red hot needles are forced through their noses while the animals are forcibly restrained. The WSPA would like to see a special sanctuary set up to care for all existing "dancing" sloth bears. It is also recommending that the people who currently hold the bears be provided with free vocational training in order to learn other ways of making a living.
August 17, 1997
The Churchill Northern Studies Centre (CNSC), a non-profit corporation facilitating arctic research and education, is running two eight-day polar bear study programs this fall. Participants will stay at the CNSC scientific research facility located near Churchill, Manitoba often referred to as the polar bear capitol of the world. Instructors will be active polar bear researchers. Each course will also include two day-long trips in a tundra vehicle to observe polar bears in their natural habitat; a half-hour helicopter excursion; lectures from local artists and photographers; and a dog sled lecture and ride. The Lords of the Arctic I course runs from October 14th to the 21st while the Lords of the Arctic II course runs from October 27th to November 3rd. You can register on-line!
August 17, 1997
The Alliance for the Wild Rockies is sponsoring The Great Grizzly Hike, a 300 mile journey along the Continental Divide to focus attention on the importance of biological corridors. These corridors are bridges that animals use to travel between wildland ecosystems. The Great Grizzly Hike will follow the path a grizzly would travel between the Salmon/Selway and Greater Yellowstone ecosystems. A core group of hikers started walking the entire corridor on July 17th. They will be monitoring wildland conditions, noting potential hazards grizzlies will face and reporting their findings and experiences to the public and the media. There will be lots of opportunities for interaction between the hikers and the public.
July 18, 1997
Each year, July and August account for the largest number of both bear encounters and actual bear attacks. This year is proving to be no exception. Among individuals having been attacked are a man who was jogging down a runway in Dillingham, Alaska, USA. The brown bear attacked him from behind and delivered several non life-threatening bites. Also, an 11 year-old boy camping in Algonquin Park in Ontario, Canada was dragged from his tent by an American black bear. Camp counsellors hit the bear with a paddle driving it away. The boy suffered bites and claw wounds but will recover fully. The bear was reported to have been hanging around the campground in the previous week feeding on scraps and garbage from campers. This is often a factor in creating an overly aggressive bear. To make sure that you are prepared as you venture into the woods this summer, several excellent on-line bear-proofing articles are available at The Bear Den's Guide to Backcountry Wisdom. Take the time to make sure you are bear smart this summer!
June 14, 1997
Hsing-Hsing, the aging star of the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. recently celebrated his 25th anniversary at the facility. He arrived at the zoo 25 years ago along with his mate Ling-Ling. Sadly, she passed away of heart failure five years ago. Many visitors and zoo employees made a special visit just to see how Hsing-Hsing would handle his anniversary gift, a large blueberry muffin cake. After seeing the cake in his outdoor pen, Hsing-Hsing looked it over carefully, chopped it into two pieces and then quickly ate it all. Then, within a week of his anniversary celebration, Hsing-Hsing underwent surgery to remove testicular cancer. The operation went very smoothly according to the veternarians who performed the surgery. All involved remain hopeful as to the long-term prognosis for Hsing-Hsing, the most famous zoo resident in the United States.
June 4, 1997
The Churchill Northern Studies Centre (CNSC), a non-profit corporation facilitating arctic research and education, has recently announced it will be offering two eight-day polar bear study programs this fall. Participants will stay at the CNSC scientific research facility located just outside of Churchill, Manitoba alongside Hudson Bay. Taught by an active polar bear researcher, participants will learn about the incredible biology and latest scientific findings regarding these magnificent animals. The CNSC indicates that each course will also include two Tundra Vehicle day-trips to the Hudson Bay coast to observe polar bears in their natural habitat; a half-hour helicopter excursion; lectures from local artists and photographers; and a dog sled lecture and ride. The Lords of the Arctic I course will be offered from October 14th to the 21st while the Lords of the Arctic II course will run from October 27th to November 3rd.
April 2, 1997
Spirit or Kermode bears, a unique race of white-phase American black bears living in the rainforests of British Columbia, Canada are in serious danger. The British Columbia government has recently authorized logging by Western Forest Products Ltd. in Green Inlet, a key area that was expected to be included in a new Spirit Bear Wilderness Park which would have protected the key habitat required by these bears. The logging is expected to start this month. The Great Bear Foundation and the Valhalla Wilderness Society can be contacted to find out more about how you can become involved in trying to have the logging activities stopped and the proposed park created.
April 2, 1997
In January of this year, an American black bear was hibernating for the winter when its den was accidentally run over by a large bulldozer clearing land for a Suncor industrial plant near Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada. Realizing what had happened, the workers contacted wildlife authorities. After surgery for a broken leg, the bear was sedated and placed in a nest of straw inside a large live bear trapping device which was in an out-of-the-way warehouse. The bear promptly resumed its winter hibernation. Recent warmer weather has forced Suncor workers to bring in more snow to keep the bear hibernating for a little longer. The bear will be released back into the forest far from the town once the vegetation it needs begins to grow once more. Suncor has offered to cover all of the expenses required to rescue this bear.
January 31, 1997
The United States National Park Service has just held a series of public hearings to investigate the "feasibility" of a new "northern access route" into the heart of Denali National Park in Alaska. The Park is a prime brown/grizzly bear viewing area. The review was ordered by a rider in the 104th Congress offered by Sen. Frank Murkowski (Alaska). The Alaskan Wildlife Alliance (AWA), who are opposed to the plan, state that Alaska's lawmakers are "forceful advocates" of commercial development of Denali and other parks and refuges "to satisfy the demand of commercial mega-tourism companies." The AWA argues that a new access road would have serious consequences for Denali's wolves, bears, caribou, and other wildlife. For more information, call Steve Wells at 1-907-277-0897.
January 31, 1997
Alaska's McNeil River State Game Sanctuary, one of the most famous brown bear viewing areas in the world will now limit visitor access. Beginning this year, only 10 permits will be issued for each 4-day long viewing period during the period from June to mid-August. Complete information on applying for a permit is now available from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. All applications must be postmarked no later than March 1st and be received no later than March 15th. The Department may also be reached by telephone at 1-907-267-2183.
Janurary 12, 1997
The Appalachian Bear Center, located in the Great Smoky Mountains, recently announced the release of its first orphaned black bear cub affectionately dubbed "Zero". In their latest update, Zero has been tracked by air successfully on five different occasions with the help of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. The last two trackings were five days apart. Members of the Center believe there is a possibility that Zero is still wearing the radio collar and has begun to den but they are unable to tell for sure. The cub is the first of hopefully many more orphaned or injured bears to be assisted by ABC.
November 8, 1996
In the aftermath of a tragic event which occurred in mid-August in the Little Yosemite Valley area, officials have decided not to prosecute those involved. In the original incident, a 100 pound yearling black bear was stoned to death by the scout leaders and their troop. The Scout Leader, Scott Roach from Huntington Beach, said he and the boys started throwing things at the bear as it approached their food. One or more of the objects thrown were rocks large enough to kill the young bear. Park officials indicate that bear advisories will be rewritten to stress that stones no larger than golf balls should be thrown.
September 2, 1996
Castor, a 26 year-old polar bear at the San Diego Zoo, has died of food poisoning. Three other bears, including a pair of cubs, have also become ill. The likely source of the poisoning is believed to be live trout on which the bears were feeding. The bears had been moved just 2 months ago into a new $5 million dollar enclosure called "The Polar Bear Plunge". It features a huge pool stocked with live trout so that visitors can see the bears hunting as they do in the wild. Zoo spokesperson Amelia Brazell indicated that live fish will be carefully screened in the future to ensure they do not harbour the microorganism "rickettsia" which is believed responsible for the food poisoning.
September 2, 1996
Two American black bears have been rescued by wildlife authorities from a farm near Detroit, Michigan. The male and female bears, estimated to be approximately seven years old, have spent the majority of their lives in chains and were used to train dogs for bear hunting. Nearly dead from malnutrition, both bears were found with their claws removed so as not to harm the dogs. The female bear also had her teeth removed. After their discovery and rescue, the bears were moved to the Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary near Rousseau, Ontario in Canada. Both bears are slowly recovering from their ordeal. They will be allowed to live the remainder of their lives in as natural a manner as possible.
July 18, 1996
Following a recent death and three severe maulings, the provincial government in British Columbia, Canada has issued a province-wide Bear Advisory Alert. Home to 120,000 to 160,000 black bears and 10,000 to 13,000 grizzlies/brown bears, British Columbia has had six human deaths in the past ten years. A news release provides general guidelines regarding bear-human interactions and specific information regarding what to do in the event of a bear attack. It also refers individuals to its two excellent guides - Safety Guide to Bears in the Wild and Safety Guide to Bears at Your Home.
July 18, 1996
In Thailand, 8 people including 5 South Koreans and 3 Thais have been convicted for the slaughter of endangered bears and the possession of bear parts. When the 8 were arrested, police found six bear carcasses, all with their paws cut off. Those convicted have been released on bail and will be sentenced in August. They face a maximum sentence of 4 years in jail and a fine of 40,000 baht ($1,600). The Wildlife Fund of Thailand has also called on the South Korean government to launch a campaign against the "senseless'' belief about the beneficial properties of bear parts and to deter the consumption of bears in both Thailand and South Korea.
June, 1996
There is alarming evidence that North American black bears are being killed illegally at an ever increasing rate to supply Asian markets in cities like Hong Kong and Peking, China. The gall bladders are being used in medicines while bear paws are ending up in dishes such as bear-claw soup. While North America's black bear population is currently good with an estimated 300,000 to 400,000 bears, this situation could soon change with an estimated 40,000 bears being poached annually. Conservationists led by organizations like Northwest Ecological Alliance, Bear Watch, The Animal Alliance of Canada, The World Society for the Protection of Animals, World Wildlife Fund and others are urging all governmental authorities across Canada and the United States to act before a crisis arrives.
June, 1996
Juliette Harris from Silver City, New Mexico was recently nipped on her finger by a black bear cub which she had come across while walking in the forest. Because of the possibility of the bear cub having rabies, state health officials indicated to Juliette and her family that the bear would have to be killed and examined for rabies. Juliette then bravely volunteered to undergo a series of seven rabies shots so the bear could be spared. Juliette is reported to have said, "Those needles hurt - but not that bad."
May, 1996
In a bizarre and unusual situation, the MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION OF AMERICA has created a great deal of controversy around the world. This highly-regarded organization, which grants wishes to children in the U.S. with life-threatening medical conditions, has recently approved the wish of a young man who wants to kill a brown bear in Alaska. This story has been reported widely around the world and is drawing strong opposition in many quarters. If you wish to contact the MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION OF AMERICA and express your views on this issue, their toll free number in North America is 1-800-722-9474.
April, 1996
On April 24th, 1996, the Canada and Manitoba governments jointly created Wapusk National Park in northern Manitoba. With an area of 11,475 square miles, this lowland region immediately southeast of Churchill includes one of the largest concentrations of polar bear denning areas in the world. Wapusk Park is on the shores of Hudson Bay where the polar bears spend the majority of the year hunting seals out on the ice.
April, 1996
Just this month, British Columbia, home to one of North America's largest remaining grizzly bear populations, announced a number of positive initiatives to protect grizzlies. Their actions include raising fines for poaching and trading in grizzly parts; restricting hunting and funding additional research on grizzlies. Also, 255 acres of key habitat, located at the confluence of two rivers where salmon spawn and grizzlies gather from a 100 mile radius, will be turned into a park.
March, 1996
On March 25th, 1996 THE CUB DEN, a new website for young children, was launched by The Bear Den. Recognizing that many visitors are young readers, this new website will encourage younger children to find out more about bears. The site contains Ten Facts About Bears; Amazing Facts About Bears; and Books for Young Readers. To take a tour, go to THE CUB DEN.
March, 1996
Officials with the Manitoba Provincial Government and the Manitoba Wildlife Branch in Canada are scrambling to find out how three polar bears from Churchill, Manitoba ended up in the Suarez Brothers Circus in Mexico. In total, this circus has been able to obtain seven polar bears from around the world and wildlife advocacy groups are extremely upset. The local Humane Society, Zoocheck Canada and the Animal Alliance of Canada have all banded together to try and stop the export of polar bears outside of Manitoba. Bruce Owen, a staff reporter with the Winnipeg Free Press has written two stories concerning this issue.
March, 1996
- the Brown Bear Foundation is becoming very active. It is hoped that through their efforts the few remaining brown bears living in small isolated pockets in Italy and Spain can be saved in the wild.
February, 1996
- British Columbia, the westernmost province in Canada, has made a major move toward
providing protection for the approximately 10,000 grizzlies still remaining within its
boundaries. Two reports detailing its efforts are available as follows:
1) The Conservation of Grizzly Bears in British Columbia Background Report; and
2) The British Columbia Grizzly Bear Conservation Strategy.
Both documents can be obtained free by contacting The British Columbia Ministry of the
Environment, Lands and Parks. Their address is as follows:
They also have a website you can visit.
February, 1996
- the Kermode black bear is in need of help. Efforts are underway to convince the British Columbia government to preserve the pristine habitat of this beautiful bear for future generations. Living on three small islands in the richest part of the world's largest temperate rainforest, these animals are an absolute treasure which need not disappear.
Visit Moksgm'ol - The Spirit Bear and get involved!
January 21, 1996
On February 19, 1996, the Royal Canadian Mint replaced the Canadian two dollar bill with a new $2 coin, which features an adult male polar bear on an ice floe. Conservationists, naturalists and others are optimistic that the Canadian general public can be made more aware of the bleak future many bears of the world face unless we make changes now by pressing for positive action to save bears and their habitat.
January 21, 1996
- a number of groups around the world are becoming very active in the fight to prevent
the cruel and inhumane treatment of Asiatic black bears in China. For their entire lives,
these intelligent creatures are totally immobilized so that a crude and painful tube can
drain bile from their gall bladders. Groups such as the International Fund for Animal
Welfare and the World Society for the Protection of Animals are taking up the fight.
A group called Save Tortured Bears in
China, Inc., formed in Perth, Australia in 1993, has also taken up the cause.
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