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BC Conservation Data Centre: Conservation Status Report

Ursus americanus
American Black Bear

 
Scientific Name: Ursus americanus
English Name: American Black Bear
   
Provincial Status Summary
Status: S5
Date Status Assigned:
Date Last Reviewed: April 09, 2025
Reasons: Black Bears are found throughout BC in many habitats.
 
Range
Range Extent: G = 200,000-2,500,000 square km
Range Extent Comments: Black bears are found throughout BC including Haida Gwaii and Vancouver Island (Hatler et al. 2008; GBIF, accessed 26 February 2025).
Area of Occupancy (km2): U = Unknown
 
Occurrences & Population
Number of Occurrences: E = > 300
Comments: Very likely over 300 given the range and number of observations and records, including nearly 5000 in GBIF (accessed 26 February 25); however, it is difficult to define an occurrence given their extensive home ranges and ability to cross most habitats.
Number of Occurrences with Good Viability / Ecological Integrity: Rank Factor not assessed
Number of Occurrences Appropriately Protected & Managed: Rank Factor not assessed
Population Size: G = 100,000 - 1,000,000 individuals
Comments: There have been estimates of 120,000 to 160,000 black bears in BC (B.C. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks 2001; Hatler et al. 2008). In 2021, Marshall et al. estimated Black Bear density on central Vancouver Island to be 569 bears per 1000 km square. Prior to this, population inventories had not been conducted on Vancouver Island nor in BC (Marshal et al. 2023).
 
Threats (to population, occurrences, or area affected)
Degree of Threat: U = Unknown
Comments:

There are several unquantified threats to Black Bears across the province. For example, on Vancouver Island, Black Bears create dens in large-diameter hollow trees, under logs, in root boles, and stumps. Harvesting of coastal forests has reduced the availability of these den sites, potentially impacting the sustainability of their populations (Davis 2022).

The loss of habitat due to land development and the high density of roads further threatens Black Bears. Conflicts between humans and bears also arise when bears are attracted to human-provided food sources, such as garbage, beehives, fruit trees, farm waste, and campground coolers. Bears that become accustomed to these food sources or wander into human-inhabited areas are often forced to be euthanized. Other threats to Black Bears include poaching, deaths from railway and highway traffic, and habitat destruction caused by logging, hydro reservoirs, agriculture, highways, and urban settlements. Additionally, the decline of some salmon stocks has diminished an important food source for bears.
 
Trend (in population, range, area occupied, and/or condition of occurrences)
Short-Term Trend: G = Relatively Stable (<=10% change)
Comments: Despite threats, there do not appear to be declines in numbers of black bears in BC.
Long-Term Trend: U = Unknown
 
Other Factors
Intrinsic Vulnerability: U=Unknown
Environmental Specificity: C=Moderate. Generalist or community with some key requirements scarce.
Other Rank Considerations:
 
Information Gaps
Research Needs:
Inventory Needs:
 
Stewardship
Protection:
Management:
 
Version
Author: Ramsay, L. (2025), Teucher, A. (2009)
Date: February 26, 2025
 
References
B.C. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks. 2001. Black Bears in British Columbia. Ecology, Conservation and Management. Brochure.
Davis. H. 2022. Den supplementation for black bears in coastal British Columbia. Wildlife Society Bulletin. The Wildlife Society. 46:e1369.
GBIF.org. 2025x. GBIF. Occurrence download for Ursus americanus. Accessed 26 February 2025.
Hatler, D.F., Nagorsen, D.W. and Beal, A.M., 2008. Carnivores of British Columbia (Vol. 5). Victoria, British Columbia, Canada: Royal BC Museum.
 

Please visit the website Conservation Status Ranks for information on how the CDC determines conservation status ranks. For global conservation status reports and ranks, please visit the NatureServe website http://www.natureserve.org/.

Suggested Citation:

B.C. Conservation Data Centre. 2025. Conservation Status Report: Ursus americanus. B.C. Minist. of Environment. Available: https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/ (accessed Apr 17, 2026).