Bears and Humans

The relationship between bears and humans has been a long and complex one. In ancient Greece and Rome, bears were viewed as a symbol of motherhood, giving rise to the verb ‘to bear’. Other words in many European languages originate from references to bears. For example, the word Arctic comes from the Greek word ‘arktos’, which means bear. The word ‘bearing’ (a term used in navigation) originates from two orienting constellations called Ursa Major (meaning ‘the Great Bear’), and Ursa Minor (meaning ‘the Little Bear’). Bears also feature in legends and mythical stories of many nations and cultures, and these animals have been an important source of meat, fat for cooking, skin for clothing, and medicine (such as bile) for native people in the northern regions. Other bear parts, such as claws, teeth and paws have often been used as ornaments.

Despite many benefits, bears are generally viewed as dangerous animals, posing risks to people, their livestock, crops and other property. Consequently, people often hunt and kill bears. In the USA alone, organised bear eradication programs in the 19th century resulted in the death of over 45,000 Grizzly Bears, reducing them to less than two per cent of their former range. In Europe, too, Brown Bears have been disappearing from many countries (such as Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxemburg, UK, Germany and Switzerland). This continuing human exploitation, as well as forest degradation and habitat loss, are direct causes of the decline in bear populations.

However, in some instances, improved understanding of bear biology and better management and monitoring programs have had positive impacts on bear populations. Brown Bears in North America and parts of Europe are generally doing well, as they have been successfully reintroduced. Still, six of the eight bear species (all but American Black and Brown Bears) remain listed as globally threatened on the IUCN Red List. A new, significant challenge for bear conservation relates to the effects of climate change, including the melting Arctic sea ice which affects Polar Bears and their prey, and increased flooding in the main habitats of Sloth Bears.