"This we know. The Earth does not belong to man; man belongs to the Earth. This we know. All things are connected like blood which unites one family. All things are connected.

Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons of the Earth. Man did not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand in

it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself." -

Chief Seattle, His address, 1853

For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them:

as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no

preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and

all turn to dust again. Ecclesiastes 3:19 -20

Photo by J. Craig McClure

Black Bear Benevolent Bureau

Befriending and Defending Bears in the American Southwest

VisionA large

collaborative effort made up of committed

individuals, like-minded

conservation groups, and

ethical public servants willing to

fight and aggressively

defend the lives and homeland of

black bears throughout the

American Southwest in order

to protect, maintain and

increase a viable black bear population.

MissionThe Mission of Black Bear Benevolent Bureau is to maintain and

improve black bear populations and to acquire and secure habitat throughout the American Southwest. To ensure that black bear populations are healthy and self-sustaining, to minimize loss of

their forested habitats and to improve the quality of existing habitats. To monitor wildlife regulatory and conservation agencies,

ensuring the most ethical and publicly acceptable practices. To work aggressively to bring about positive changes where bears

are mismanaged or inappropriately killed. To provide education to dispel myths that have led to the great detriment of the black

bear and to create an information sharing network which assists federal and state wildlife agencies in bringing to justice wildlife

violators. To create experiential opportunities where disadvantaged children and youth can enjoy natural resources and

wildlife while building confidence and broadening perspectives.

COLLECTING DATA IN THE FIELD

There are three species of bear in the Northwestern Hemisphere

Grizzly BearPolar Bear

Black Bear

Ursus americanus

Ursus maritimusUrsus arctos

Humans eradicated almost 100,000 Grizzlies in the western United States

between 1850 and 1920 through trapping and hunting.

Last grizzly bear killed in Arizona

1935

Last grizzly bear killed in Utah 1923

Last grizzly bear killed in New Mexico 1931

Last grizzly bear killed in Colorado

1979

In the lower 48 states, grizzly bears currently live in less than two percent of their

former range, and number around 1,100 bears.

How long will it take before the Black Bear suffers the

same fate?

OVERGRAZING BY RANCHERS

HAS A DRAMATIC EFFECT ON BEAR POPULATIONS IN THE SOUTHWEST

AND IT AIN’T TOO GOOD FOR COWS

NIETHER

LACK OF WATER DUE TO THE ABUSE OF GRAZING

LEASES ON PUBLIC LANDS CREATES DRAMATICALLY LOWER BIRTH RATES IN

BEARS.

A BABY BEAR IS A FRAGILE THING

Bears have the lowest production rate of any land

mammal in the Western Hemisphere. If a female bear in the Southwest is lucky enough to make it to 15 years old, she will produce 3-5 litters. In those 15 years she will produce 12 to

15 cubs. Of those 15 cubs, about 6 will make it to 5 years old. Two might reach 10 to 15

years old.

If not for man, bears would live to be between 20 and 25 years old; and some would exceed 30

years of age. In New Mexico, the average age at death of a black bear is 5 years old. That

equates to an 18 year old human.

Did You Knowthat in New Mexico it is legal to kill a 1 year old bear cub?

Did You Knowthat there is no special protection for our state

mammal the Black Bear?

Did You Knowthat in New Mexico the

number of bears killed by hound hunters is 5 times greater than by any other

means?

Did You Knowthat without wanton waste

laws, in New Mexico it is legal to kill a bear and leave it to

rot?

Did You Knowthat in the last 5 years in New Mexico, 2575 bears have been killed for sport and 1013 bears have been killed on the highway and through capture and control. This number does not include deaths caused by human

habitat destruction or deaths due to natural causes?

Photo by J. Craig McClure

Did You Knowthat New Mexico is a popular destination for

people who wish to kill bears for rugs due to the wide range of color variations endemic to our

bears?

Did You Knowthat New Mexico Game and Fish admits there is no way to know the current population of black bears in New Mexico but, “estimates that there are 5000-6000 bears in the state”? ( Dan Williams, New Mexico

Wildlife Vol 52 Fall 2007)

Yet there were 4913 bear licenses issued in the 06-07 hunting season.

State Game Commission Serves Up State Mammal Head to Fellow Commissioner

In the monthly meeting of the New Mexico State Game Commission on May 3, 2007 in Espanola, Chairman Montoya,(2007-2008)recognized outgoing commissioner Peter Pino, “…You dealt with issues through your experience as a sportsman, farmer/rancher, …and your background and upbringing as a Pueblo member.” Commissioner Arvas (Current Chairman) stated, “Commissioner Pino contributed a whole lot and brought a different view which at times was refreshing.” Commissioner Salmon (Current Vice Chairman) added, “I always enjoyed my discussions with Commissioner Pino. We had many long talks about the Tribal traditions and hunting/fishing on Tribal lands.”*

Commissioner Pino responded to the recognition with, “This bear head is appropriate. In my lifetime I’ve harvested two bear. The bear is the closest one gets to killing a human.”*

* http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/commission/minutes/documents/Minutes5-3-07_Espanola_.pdf

Did You KnowLess than 1 person is killed every year by bears

45 people are killed every year by dogs104 people drown every year in swimming pools125 people are killed every year by bee stings16,366 people are killed every year by people.*

Se-ries1

050

100150 people

killed by bearspeople killed by dogs Se

ries1

05000

100001500020000

people killed by bearspeople killed by dogspeople killed by swimming pools people killed by bee stingspeopled killed by people

* US Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics Average for 2001-2005 http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/homicide/tables/totalstab.htm

Bear MythsMyth: Once a bear has tried human food, it won't eat wild food any more.

Myth: Shooting or relocating a 'nuisance' bear will solve the problem.

Myth: Carrying a rifle is safer than bear pepper spray.

Myth: One of the most dangerous encounters is getting between a mother black bear and her cubs.

Myth: Bears that wander into inhabited areas such as campsites, rural towns, or cottage communities are dangerous.

Myth: People traveling in bear country are often attacked.

Myth: A fed bear is a dead bear

Bear FactsFact: Bears naturally prefer wild food unless it is difficult to find and human food is too easy to get. Even the worst food conditioned bears still eat natural foods whenever they're plentiful. Conflicts usually increase when natural foods run out - a good time to be more vigilant of bear attractants on your property.

Fact: Bears naturally prefer wild food unless it is difficult to find and human food is too easy to get. Even the worst food conditioned bears still eat natural foods whenever they're plentiful. Conflicts usually increase when natural foods run out - a good time to be more vigilant of bear attractants on your property

Fact: Removing a 'problem' bear and not the attractant will only create a newly available habitat niche so another bear can move right back in, creating a vicious cycle of killing

Fact: A person's chance of incurring serious injury from a charging bear doubles when bullets are fired versus when bear pepper spray is used (Dr. Stephen Herrero). Those injured defending themselves with bear pepper spray vs. firearms experienced shorter duration attacks and less severe injuries (US Fish and Wildlife Service).

Fact : In many cases, food caches left for bears in newly populated areas left at continually increased distances can save bears . (Benjamin Kilham, Among the Bears 2002)

Fact: Bear attacks are extremely rare. Although there are hundreds of human-bear encounters in the United States every year, only a very few result in personal injury. Most bears will actually retreat before you are even aware of their presence. It is still important, however, to stay alert and know the Bear Safe facts.

Fact: It is nearly impossible for a bear to make its daily excursions without walking through someone's property. Bears may travel hundreds of miles in their search for food. If you have stored your food and garbage properly, the bear will likely move on. Remember, problem bears aren't born they're made. If bears are hanging around, something is attracting them. Removing the attraction will usually solve the problem.

"Bears are not companions of men, but children of God, and His charity is broad enough for both... We seek to establish a narrow line between ourselves and the feathery zeros we dare to call angels, but ask a partition barrier of infinite width to show the rest of creation its

proper place. Yet bears are made of the same dust as we, and breathe the same winds and drink of the same waters. A bear's days are

warmed by the same sun, his dwellings are overdomed by the same blue sky, and his life turns and ebbs with heart-pulsings like ours and

was poured from the same fountain....." - John Muir

Jorge 8 Years Old

450 lbs Killed by Poachers in 2007

Photo by J. Craig McClure

The wilderness is not a renewable resource. If it is possible for humans and wildlife to coexist, we

must endeavor to understand as much as possible about their needs to minimize negative impacts.

Bocephus BearWants You!

WANTED!VOLUNTEERS

for political activism, reporting illegal activity, fundraising,

teaching and mentoring young people and field work

FIELD RESEARCH EQUIPMENT AND OFFICE SUPPLIES

4X4 VEHICLES IN GOOD WORKING ORDER

LAND AND FACILITES

Monetary Donations are always welcome

Black Bear Benevolent Bureau is a federal and state registered 501c3 organization operating solely on donations with no paid employees. All donations are tax deductable

"If we can learn to live with bears, ....and if we can learn to accommodate the needs of bears in their natural environment, then

maybe we can also find ways to use the finite resources of our continent and still maintain some of the diversity and natural beauty... "

Stephen Herrero