 |
Kingdom: Animalia
Black Bear |
|
Description Species Range and Distribution Habitat Requirements and Feeding
Author: Jana Milliken Site created by: Rachael McCormick Site Maintained by: Dr. Mark Wallace
|
Human Values The human dimension of black bear management programs is one of increasing pressure on agencies to preserve the species. In California, anti-hunting pressure was so severe that the 1989 hunt was cancelled due to a lawsuit under the Environmental Quality Act (McLaughlin and Smith 1990). In Florida, hunting is strongly discouraged because many citizens believe they are a threatened species (McLaughlin and Smith 1990). Traditional hound hunting is increasingly discouraged by the public because of the belief that its inhumane and unethical (Elowe 1990). Commercialization of black bears includes sale of illegally guided hunts, hides, heads, claws, and feet (Cook 1990). Gallbladders are also a popular item, especially in pesticide-free areas (Cook 1990). As the human population increases in the western states, bear-people interaction is increasing. People who come to visit the parks to see the bears end up being annoyed or harmed by them. Commonly these occurrences happen on campsites where people have carelessly left food out, attracting black bears. New housing developments where people leave garbage out to be picked up also face the same problem. Large “bear-proof” containers to serve several homes or campsites have been helpful in deterring black bears.
|