Black bears

Black bears (Ursus americanus) are the smallest of the three bear species found in Wapusk. They often stay in the boreal forest regions of the park, but some have been spotted by trail cameras on the park’s tundra or by the coast.

Black bears are omnivores – they eat everything! While their diet varies, up to 85% of it is vegetation. They are known to feed on insects (such as bees, yellow jackets, ants and larvae), carrion, newborn animals, honey, the shoots of many plant species (especially new grasses, wetland plants and flowering plants) and fruits (like berries and soft masts, such as buds and drupes).

Black bears have a broad head with a narrow muzzle and small, rounded ears set back on their head. Their claws are short and rounded, located on both their front and hind legs. Thick at the base and narrowing to a point, their front claws are more sharply curved. Despite their name, black bears have up to six different colour phases! They can be black, brown, blond, cinnamon, blue-grey and white!

In October and November, black bears hollow out dens to prepare for hibernation. They use tree cavities, logs, rocks, banks, caves, culverts and shallow depressions. Hibernation usually lasts three to eight months, but can be longer. Geographic location, temperature, flooding and hunger may impact this duration.

Black bears breed from June to July, but this period may go until August in their northern range. Female black bears can have one to six cubs, though two or three is average. Black bears have a large population estimate and are widely distributed. They are considered Not at Risk by federal and provincial conservation standards.