Every year, on the first Saturday in June, we celebrate National Black Bear Day here in the United States! This special day was established in 2018 by the North Carolina Black Bear Festival to highlight these incredible animals and help dispel common myths surrounding them.
Black bears were once on the brink of extinction in parts of the U.S., but thanks to dedicated conservation efforts, their populations have made a strong comeback. Today, they are classified as “Least Concern” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Still, it’s vital to remember how valuable these animals are—not just for their beauty but also for the important roles they play in the ecosystems they inhabit.
For instance, black bears are excellent seed dispersers, helping forests regenerate and thrive. They also play a key role in the food web by managing prey populations and contributing to ecological balance.
While protecting black bears is essential, appreciating them is just as important. Their mysterious and curious nature has made them iconic figures in folklore, literature, pop culture, and beyond.
Here are a few fascinating facts you may not know about black bears:
- Strong swimmers: They can swim several miles without tiring.
- Colorful coats: Despite their name, black bears come in various colors—black, brown, cinnamon, blond, bluish-grey, and even white!
- Fast runners: They can sprint up to 30 miles per hour—so don’t try to outrun one!
- Skilled climbers: With curved, powerful claws, they can climb 100 feet up a tree in just 30 seconds!
If you live in a bear country—or visit areas where they roam—it’s important to be bear aware. One great resource is BearWise, a program designed to help people coexist safely and responsibly with bears. Their six key safety tips include:
- Never feed or approach bears.
- Secure all food, garbage, and recycling.
- Take down bird feeders when bears are active.
- Keep pet food indoors.
- Clean and store grills and smokers.
- Share bear sightings with neighbors.
Black bears are truly amazing animals that deserve our respect and protection.
If you’d like to observe black bears in a safe and responsible way, come visit us at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge! You can see one of our black bears, Thunder, exploring near the end of our Discovery Area. For an even more in-depth experience, join us with a Carnivore Caravan or Coffee with a Curator tour, where you’ll meet our other black bears—Xena, Koda, Holly, and Lolli—in our state-of-the-art natural habitats.