As forest habitats fragment and human encounters rise, American Black Bears face unprecedented challenges. Join us in securing a wild, safe future for North America's iconic omnivore.
Ursus americanus is North America’s smallest and most common bear species, known for its incredible intelligence, adaptability, and vital ecosystem role.
Not all black bears are black! Colors range from jet black and cinnamon brown to rare blonde and white (Spirit Bear). Males weigh between 130–600 lbs.
85% of their diet consists of vegetation, berries, nuts, insects, and roots. They possess an exceptional sense of smell—7 times stronger than a bloodhound's!
Black bears disperse seed spores across huge territories through their scat and enrich soil nutrients by foraging decaying logs and salmon carcasses.
During winter hibernation (3-7 months), their heart rate drops from 40–50 bpm to just 8 bpm without eating, drinking, or excreting waste!
While overall populations are classified as Least Concern, localized subspecies—like the Florida Black Bear and Louisiana Black Bear—face severe challenges from rapid human expansion and habitat destruction.
"A fed bear is a dead bear. When bears habituate to human food sources, conflict becomes inevitable, often leading to unnecessary euthanasia."
Dr. Sarah Jenkins
Lead Wildlife Ecologist, Bear-Aware Institute
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Your monthly or one-time contribution directly funds wildlife corridors, trash-proofing hardware for rural communities, bear rehabilitation centers, and public awareness campaigns.
$10 provides 1 bear-proof trash latch kit for a rural neighborhood.
Read how our community efforts are successfully restoring bear corridors and saving orphaned cubs.
After 8 months of specialized, contact-free rehab, two orphaned cubs were safely released back into protected wilderness areas.
Land trust alliance completes critical purchase linking two fragmented national forests, allowing safe movement for roaming males.
How installing over 1,200 bear-resistant trash receptacles transformed mountain town coexistence and saved bear lives.