Endangered Efforts: Andean Bear

The Andean bear is also known as the spectacled bear because of the rings of light or white fur around the eyes, which often look like glasses when set against the bear’s dark fur. While it’s not on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List, the species is classified as vulnerable. 

The bear’s scientific name is Tremarctos ornatus, which means decorated bear. Each animal has unique markings that extend from the eyes down the chest, which give each one a distinct look. They are midsize bears and grow to be two to three feet at the shoulder and between four and six feet long. Male bears are significantly larger than females, usually 30-50% larger. 

About the Andean Bear

These are the most vocal of bears, with the exception of the giant panda. They make noises that are decidedly not expected of bears. You can recognize an Andean bear by the soft, purring sound and shrill screech they make, although they are hard to find because they are extremely shy and stay away from humans.

The spectacled bear is native to Andean countries like Peru, Ecuador, northern Argentina, Bolivia and Venezuela and lives in scrublands, grasslands, and forests. Experts believe there are anywhere from 6,000 to 10,0000 bears left in the wild.

It forages for food and climbs with its long, sharp front claws. The bear is innovative and may build platforms in trees from leaves, sort of a bear’s treehouse. It does this in the wild and in captivity and may sleep or eat on these platforms. They are different than American brown or black bears in that they don’t hibernate because there is food available to them year-round. 

As omnivores, they eat more than 20 different animals and 300 different types of plants. Bromeliads, palms, and fruits are the most popular foods in their diet, although they’ll snack on the occasional cactus or snail. They have been known to hunt cattle or eat dead livestock, which can cause problems with local farmers. They also raid cornfields every so often, creating even more problems with the locals. 

Most Andean bears prefer to be alone but will gather during mealtimes if food is plentiful. Because they eat so much fruit, they play an important part in spreading seeds throughout the forest. This creates an entirely new generation of trees in the forests. In captivity, the bear loves lettuce, oranges, bananas, yams, grapes, carrots, and apples. They’ll also eat mealworms and crickets occasionally.

Mates pair up between March and October, showing that the timing for reproduction is a bit more flexible. Mothers breed when they are anywhere from four to seven years old. Most give birth anywhere from September to February. 

While many factors can affect the length of gestation, most mothers carry their cubs for six to eight months before giving birth. The bear may give birth to one or two cubs, and occasionally (but rarely) there are three in a litter. The cubs are born underdeveloped, blind, and small and require constant care from their mothers until they are around three months old. Most venture out on their own when they are around one year old. 

Threats to the Andean Bear

Like many endangered or vulnerable animals, the spectacled bear’s biggest threat is a loss of habitat from degradation and habitat loss. They are also hunted by local farmers when they start poaching cattle for food and for cultural reasons. Scientists estimate that hunters kill around 200 bears each year. They are also hunted for monetary purposes, as people pay $150 for one gall bladder from an Andean bear because they’re believed to have medicinal value.

In the higher mountainous areas, land clearing, felling of trees, and extraction of timber eat into the bear’s natural habitat. As oil and gas pipelines, highways and roads, and dams are developed in the mountains, the bear’s natural habitat dwindles. Although there are protected areas for the bears in their native space, the areas aren’t big enough for large numbers of bears to survive.

Conservation Efforts for the Andean Bear

Governments in Colombia, Peru and Ecuador are establishing and enforcing protected areas for the bears to breed and live safely. Organizations work closely with locals who interact with bears to reduce problems between humans and animals. Experts study the population to determine how habitat fragmentation, climate change and disease affect the bear. Organizations like The Wildlife Conservation Society and the World Wildlife Fund support locals in enforcing laws protecting the bears and partner with local organizations to educate citizens about the importance of the Andean bear.

How You Can Help

If you don’t live in a community close to the Andean bear habitat, you can help by learning more about the bears and the risks to them. The World Wildlife Fund also offers the opportunity to adopt a spectacled bear, and your donations go toward efforts to protect the bear’s natural habitat.