Bears are present in Louisiana, and their story is a significant conservation success. The species found here is the Louisiana Black Bear, recognized scientifically as the distinct subspecies Ursus americanus luteolus. This native subspecies has made a remarkable recovery, leading to increasing encounters with residents and visitors. This information helps people understand the bear’s identity, habitat, and necessary steps for safe coexistence.
Identifying the Louisiana Black Bear
The Louisiana Black Bear is one of sixteen subspecies of the American Black Bear, distinguished by specific physical traits. This subspecies possesses a skull that is typically longer, narrower, and flatter, along with proportionately large molar teeth.
While most individuals have the characteristic black coat, their muzzle often displays a yellowish-brown coloration. Some bears may also exhibit a small white patch on their chest or lower throat. Adult males commonly weigh between 300 and 400 pounds, while adult females are considerably smaller, weighing around 147 to 180 pounds.
The subspecies was listed as Federally Threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1992. Decades of habitat loss and overexploitation had reduced its population to as few as 150 individuals. Thanks to extensive habitat restoration and protection, the population recovered sufficiently for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to officially delist the bear in 2016. This recovery is a major conservation achievement.
Where Bears Live and Roam
The Louisiana Black Bear historically ranged across the state and into parts of Texas and Mississippi, but populations became restricted to isolated patches of habitat. Today, core breeding populations are concentrated in two primary geographical areas: the Tensas River Basin in the northeast and the expansive Atchafalaya River Basin.
The bear’s preferred environment is the bottomland hardwood forest, which provides food, water, and cover for survival. They also inhabit dense swamps, scrub-shrub areas, and remote regions near agricultural fields.
Conservation success has led to a noticeable range expansion, with bears now being sighted in nearly every parish in Louisiana. This means bears are increasingly venturing into areas near human development, including upland forests. Solitary juvenile males are often the most common travelers, searching for new territory. This wider distribution has resulted in a rise in human-bear conflicts.
Preventing Bear Encounters and Conflicts
Coexisting with an expanding bear population requires modifying human behavior to eliminate readily available food sources, the primary cause of conflict. Bears are highly opportunistic omnivores with an excellent sense of smell, and they quickly take advantage of high-calorie human foods.
The most effective action residents can take is securing all garbage in bear-proof containers. Ideally, store trash cans inside a locked garage or shed until the morning of collection day.
Securing Household Attractants
Other household attractants must be removed from outdoor areas.
- Pet food should only be fed during the day and promptly removed if uneaten.
- Bird feeders should be taken down entirely while bears are active, as seeds and suet are high-value food rewards.
- Outdoor grills and smokers should be thoroughly cleaned after use to eliminate grease and food odors, then stored in a secure location.
Camping and Hiking Safety
For individuals hiking or camping in bear country, proper food storage is essential to prevent habituation. All food, toiletries, and cooking utensils should be stored in bear-resistant canisters, secured in a locked vehicle, or hung at least ten feet off the ground and four feet away from a tree trunk.
During an encounter, stand your ground, talk calmly, and raise your arms to appear larger. Never run, as this may trigger a chase response. If a bear approaches, making noise with a firm voice or using EPA-registered bear spray can encourage the animal to leave the area.