Bear

Globally, there are eight bear species in the Family Ursidae (Order Carnivora), three of which are found in Canada: The Black bear, the brown bear and the polar bear. Black bear still occupy 85% of their historic Canadian range and 62% of the original North American range (Kolenosky and Strathearn 1987, Pelton 2000).

In North America, black bears evolved as forest dwellers and most populations are currently stable or increasing (Brown, 1999; Pelton, 2000). The population throughout North America is currently estimated at 750,000 animals, while the Ontario population approximates 75,000-100,000 animals, with the highest densities found in the central and north-western regions of the province (Smith and DeAlmeida 1990, Anonymous 2006b).

The diet of bears consists mainly of plants, berries and animals such as caribou and moose calves. Bears can weigh up to 600 lb. (272kg) but most commonly the males are 200-300 lb. (90-136kg) and females smaller...
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