List of Endangered Bears

Bears are large omnivorous mammals found in Europe, Asia, North America, South America and parts of North Africa. Out of the eight bear species in existence, only the giant panda has been listed as an endangered species. Five bear species have been listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature to be vulnerable to extinction, while the American black bear and brown bear species have a population large enough to be of least concern to conservation efforts.

  1. Giant Panda

    • As the logo for the World Wildlife Fund, the giant panda has become the symbol for conservation. Pandas are the only bears endangered with extinction, with only an estimated 1,590 to 3,000 animals in the forests of China. Breeding efforts are focused mostly in China with over 200 pandas in captivity, and 27 other giant pandas in zoos worldwide. Ninety-nine percent of a giant panda's diet consists of bamboo plants.

    Polar Bear

    • Polar bear

      The polar bear is listed as a vulnerable species because certain polar bear populations have declined over recent years. Polar bears are found in the northern Atlantic and are the largest land-based carnivore at 11 feet long. A polar bear can swim at speeds up to 6 mph in search of prey, such as seals and walrus.

    Sun Bear

    • Sun bear

      Sun bears are the only tropical bear. They live in Southeast Asia, and are vulnerable due to deforestation and hunting. Sun bears are the smallest bear species and have the shortest fur of any bear. A sun bear's tongue can reach 10 inches to pull honey from bee hives. Being a very docile animal, sun bears are sometimes taken as pets by locals.

    Spectacled Bear

    • The spectacled bear is the only species native to South America. Hunting and the logging of their natural habitat has negatively affected the spectacled bear population, and the species is in a vulnerable state. Cream-colored markings around the bear's eyes look like a pair of glasses, and earned it the name "spectacled."

    Sloth Bear

    • Sloth bears are found on the Indian subcontinent, and are listed as a vulnerable species primarily due to hunting. They are distinguished by a long shaggy coat of black hair and a circular white mark on the chest. Sloth bears are the original "dancing bears," and as of 2009 the last dancing bear in India has been freed into the wild.

    Asiatic Black Bear

    • Asiatic black bears are very similar to their American cousins, but they spend much more time in the trees. A white or yellow chest patch is unique to the Asian subspecies and some alternatively call them "moon bears." Asiatic black bears are listed as vulnerable due to hunting for Asian food and medicines.