• Habitat loss: The main reason for the Atlas bear's extinction was habitat loss due to human activities such as deforestation and urban expansion.
• Hunting and poaching: Atlas bears were hunted for their fur, meat, and claws, which were used for ornamental purposes.
• Political Instability: The Atlas bear, like many other species in Northern Africa, faced challenges due to political instability and human conflicts in the regions where it was found. Civil unrest and wars made conservation efforts difficult.
Climate Change: While not a primary cause, shifting climate patterns and long-term changes to their environment may have also played a role in their decline.
Due to these factors, the Atlas bear population declined rapidly, leading to its eventual extinction by the mid-19th century.