| Mammals | Terresterial |
Brown Bear
Ursus arctos spp
| Conservation Status: Threatened - Protected
- © C.Fisher, Aquarium of the Pacific
- Photo taken at Kalmai National Park, Alaska
Brown bears are a symbol of America’s wildlands. In the time of the Lewis and Clark expedition they ranged over much of North America’s mid-plains westward to California and from central Mexico to Alaska and Canada’s Northwest Territory. Today only about 1,000 brown bears are found in the lower 48 states where they have lost 99 percent of their former range.
Facts and Features
- Geographic Distribution
Canada’s Northwest Territories, British Columbia, western Alberta. United States - Alaska’s coast and Kodiak Archipelago islands , northwest Washington, Wyoming, western Montana, and Idaho. Also Europe, especially Russia, perhaps Japan and Mexico
- Amazing Facts
Native people had many myths and legends about brown bears. After killing a bear the inland Native American Sioux wore the hide in a dance that went on for several days in an effort to make peace with the bear’s spirit. The Alutiga (Kodiak natives) left the head of the killed bear in a field as a sign of respect for the bear.
- At the Aquarium
The brown bear, extinct in California, is illustrated symbolically only as tracks on The Wave's mosaic tile mural, Rios de la Vida (Rivers of Life). The fountain, mural, and accompanying graphics illustrate the story of our Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers. Although not on exhibit in the Aquarium, this bear is included in our website animal database to expand on the information touched on in The Wave fountain exhibit.