Photo by J. Craig McClure

1. "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

2. Black Bear Benevolent Bureau Befriending and Defending Bears in the American Southwest

3. Vision A 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.

4. Mission The 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.

5. COLLECTING DATA IN THE FIELD

6. There are three species of bear in the Northwestern Hemisphere Black Bear Polar Bear Grizzly Bear Ursusarctos Ursusmaritimus Ursusamericanus

7. Humans eradicated almost 100,000 Grizzlies in the western United States between 1850 and 1920 through trapping and hunting.

8. Last grizzly bear killed in Arizona 1935 Last grizzly bear killed in Colorado 1979 Last grizzly bear killed in Utah 1923 Last grizzly bear killed in New Mexico 1931 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?

9. OVERGRAZING BY RANCHERS HAS A DRAMATIC EFFECT ON BEAR POPULATIONS IN THE SOUTHWEST AND IT AIN’T TOO GOOD FOR COWS NIETHER

10. LACK OF WATER DUE TO THE ABUSE OF GRAZING LEASES ON PUBLIC LANDS CREATES DRAMATICALLY LOWER BIRTH RATES IN BEARS.

11. 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.

12. Did You Know that in New Mexico it is legal to kill a 1 year old bear cub?

13. Did You Know that there is no special protection for our state mammal the Black Bear?

14. Did You Know that in New Mexico the number of bears killed by hound hunters is 5 times greater than by any other means?

15. Did You Know that without wanton waste laws, in New Mexico it is legal to kill a bear and leave it to rot?

16. Did You Know that 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

17. Did You Know that 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?

18. Did You Know that 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.

19. 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

20. Did You Know Less than 1 person is killed every year by bears 45 people are killed every year by dogs 104 people drown every year in swimming pools 125 people are killed every year by bee stings 16,366 people are killed every year by people.* * US Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics Average for 2001-2005 http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/homicide/tables/totalstab.htm

21. Bear Myths Myth: 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

22. Bear Facts 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: 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.

23. Jorge 8 Years Old 450 lbs Killed by Poachers in 2007 Photo by J. Craig McClure "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

24. 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.

25. 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 Bocephus Bear Wants You! 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

26. "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