American Black Bear

Ursus americanus

General Status Rank: 
Secure
ELCODE: 
AMAJB01010
Common Name: 
American Black Bear
Scientific Name: 
Ursus americanus
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Mammal (Terrestrial Mammal)
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Mammalia
Order: 
Carnivora
Family: 
Ursidae
References: 
R169
General Biology

Female Age at Maturity

4 to 5 years

Longevity

Up to 23 years in captivity.
References: 
B001

Economic/Human Considerations

Good = big game resource Bad = garbage nuisance and potentially harmful
References: 
B001
Habitat
Coniferous or deciduous forest, swamps and berry patches.
References: 
B001
H116
Distribution

Ecozones

Taiga Cordillera, Taiga Plains, Taiga Shield, Boreal Cordillera, Boreal Plains
References: 
B001

Distribution

77% of the NWT.
Score: 
G = 2

Historical Distribution

82% of the NWT.

Area of Occupancy

Stable. Traditional knowledge = seen more black bears around recently, but doesn't mean increase (H118). Better information is needed (H111).
Score: 
-
References: 
H111
H116
Population

Population Size

Unknown, estimated at 10,000 but a very conservative estimate.
Score: 
F = 1

Density

In Canada, from 10 to 30-40 bears (north to south respectively) per 100 sq. kms.
Trends

Trends

Unknown (H116,H111).
References: 
H111
H116
Threats

Threats

Intraspecific competition, illegal trade in bear parts (R038), defense kills, increased human activities (H016), increasing development in the NWT.
Score: 
C = M
References: 
H164_05

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Loss to human development, increasing development in Liard Area.
Score: 
-
References: 
H164_05
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Secure
S Rank: 
S5
Decision Process Description: 
Reviewed in 2004 - no change in status. Reviewed in 2010, no change. Reviewed in 2015, no change. Reviewed in 2020, no change.
Last Updated: 
February 15, 2024
Status Designations

Canada – Assessment by Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada

COSEWIC Status: 
Not At Risk

References

Area of Occupancy

  • Veitch A (1999) Personal Communication. Supervisor, Wildlife Management, RWED, Norman Wells - H111 Return
  • Mammals Committee: Ron Graf, Ray Case, Robert Mulders, Suzanne Carrière, Alisdair Veitch, Richard Popko, John Nagy, Jen Lange (1999) Personal Communication. RWED, GNWT - H116 Return

Economic Status

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Ecozones

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Habitat

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return
  • Mammals Committee: Ron Graf, Ray Case, Robert Mulders, Suzanne Carrière, Alisdair Veitch, Richard Popko, John Nagy, Jen Lange (1999) Personal Communication. RWED, GNWT - H116 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • Larter Nic (2004) Notes on re-assessment of mammals. e-mail to S Carriere dated 12/11/04 copy in reference binder - H164_05 Return

Longevity

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Short Term Trends

  • Veitch A (1999) Personal Communication. Supervisor, Wildlife Management, RWED, Norman Wells - H111 Return
  • Mammals Committee: Ron Graf, Ray Case, Robert Mulders, Suzanne Carrière, Alisdair Veitch, Richard Popko, John Nagy, Jen Lange (1999) Personal Communication. RWED, GNWT - H116 Return

Taxonomy

  • Wilson, Don E. and Reeder, DeeAnn M. (2005) Mammal Species of the World. A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Johns Hopkins University Press 3rd ed 2142 pages - R169 Return

Threats

  • Larter Nic (2004) Notes on re-assessment of mammals. e-mail to S Carriere dated 12/11/04 copy in reference binder - H164_05 Return