National Black Bear Day

National Black Bear Day is celebrated on the first Saturday in June, hiding behind a formidable growl and a potentially dangerous force. This event, with an ecological message, is essential in modern times when the natural environment needs protection from man’s destructive power.

History

Black bears inhabit almost all continents, including North America. The animal is a symbol of strength. This is evidenced by folk legends. Man hunted bears for a long time, and used its warm skin to protect from the winter cold, insulate the home and create clothes and household wares. The meat and fat were valued for their nutritional and medicinal properties. Extermination of bears began when animals invaded farms in search of food, killed cattle, and destroyed crops. However, man was first to invade the bear’s territory: forests were destroyed by human efforts to create suitable conditions for life. Black bears are slowly recovering; it is not surprising that the number of individuals is rapidly declining. This holiday was established in 2018 by the North Carolina Black Bear Festival.

Interesting Facts

This educational event is celebrated on 1^st Saturday of the first summer month.

1. There are around 800 thousand individuals on the North American mainland, according to a 2020 study. 100 thousand bears live in Alaska.
2. Black bears prefer to avoid people. They attack if they feel threatened.
3. When a bear attacks, use bear spray or stand your ground and shout. Do not run away or climb a tree.
4. Black bears dislike the cold of winter. They hibernate for up to 8 months before emerging again in spring.

Black bears feed on plant food, fresh fish caught from a river, or frogs.

How to take part

Read informative encyclopedic articles about black bears, or watch popular documentary television programs.

Take a trip to a national park or nature reserve to see the bears. Remember, feeding animals is prohibited for safety reasons. A popular place located in the east is called The Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Find a special website hosting a live broadcast from a bear’s protected space. Watch the bear from the comfort of your home.

There are special environmental programs for the restoration of forest plantations. This helps bear populations recover.

When is National Black Bear Day celebrated in 2023?

National Black Bear Day is observed on the first Saturday in June each year.

Observations