Their scientific name is Ursus americanus luteolus. In English, the animal species is known as the
American Black Bear but there is a subspecies of the Louisiana Black Bear, which became known across America as the “Teddy Bear” named such because of the fondness historic American President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt had in hunting them.
Populations of the Louisiana Black Bear are mostly found in the Tensas River Basin and both the upper and lower Atchafalaya River Basins but this past week, one was seen in Chatham, LA wandering around on the property owned by the parents of Mike Chatham and Stephanie Chatham.
Sightings like this are happening more and more, especially in the last year. Since being removed in 2016 from the “threatened” on the US Endangered Species list the Black Bear population in the state has greatly increased while their habitat constantly dwindles.
Just in the last couple of months pictures were captured in backyards and roadways in Monroe, West Monroe, Sterlington, Pineville, Columbia, Delhi, Epps, Marion, Swartz, Collinston and Hoods Mill in Jackson Parish
See below for a few pictures of black bear sightings.
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