Every one of the states which together make up the United States of America has its own emblems and symbols, many of which consist of animals and plants. The state bear of California is the grizzly, a hugely impressive animal which does not actually dwell in the state now at all, having become extinct there during the early 20the century. Yet the animal was once common in California, and it occupies a special place in the history of the state.
That did not used to be the case in the 19th century and before though, in the days before the California gold rush brought so many people flocking into this part of North America. The grizzly used to be very common among the valleys and low mountains of this part of the frontier, but it was an intimidating barrier to many of the new settlers. It preyed on livestock, and disrupted many of the things which the new arrivals were looking to put in place.
This brought the mighty California grizzly bear into conflict with humanity. The bears had lived in the valleys and lower mountains of California, and there is some informed speculation that there were actually more grizzlies here than in any other part of North America. The last grizzly was killed in California in 1922, when the last recorded specimen was killed by shooting in Tulare County.
Some of the grizzlies which lived in California before the last one was killed were huge too, with some huge specimens being recorded before the species finally became extinct in this part of the country. The largest recorded grizzly in California was killed in 1866, in Valley Center. This massive animal weighed in at a colossal 2,200 pounds, a genuine monster of a grizzly.
The grizzlies which once dwelt in California were actually a sub species, and are sometimes called Californian Golden Bears, with scientists calling it Ursus arctos californicus. This type of grizzly was fierce and intimidating, and came into conflict with many settlers, whether they were farmers protecting livestock or other workers. Grizzlies were short and killed because of the danger that they posed to people.
The affection that some felt for the creature is shown as early as 1846, when an incident which became known as the 'Bear Flag Revolt' occurred in California. This was when the grizzly was first used on a flag representing California. The minor incident was an insignificant clash between Californians and some Spanish, but the emblem used on the flag was retained.
An official recognition of the grizzly as one of the state's symbols did not occur until 1911 though. This was only 11 years before the last grizzly was shot in Tulare. Nevertheless, the animal had featured on the flag which the Republic of California used when it became part of the USA in 1850.
So the state bear of California is actually no longer resident in this part of the USA at all, a somewhat sad historical irony. Visitors to California nowadays who go looking for bears in the state will see black bears, which are much smaller and shyer than their grizzly cousins. The grizzly serves as a symbolic reminder of how wild California once was, before the discovery of gold triggered a huge population invasion which was impossible for this hugely fierce and impressive animal to survive.
That did not used to be the case in the 19th century and before though, in the days before the California gold rush brought so many people flocking into this part of North America. The grizzly used to be very common among the valleys and low mountains of this part of the frontier, but it was an intimidating barrier to many of the new settlers. It preyed on livestock, and disrupted many of the things which the new arrivals were looking to put in place.
This brought the mighty California grizzly bear into conflict with humanity. The bears had lived in the valleys and lower mountains of California, and there is some informed speculation that there were actually more grizzlies here than in any other part of North America. The last grizzly was killed in California in 1922, when the last recorded specimen was killed by shooting in Tulare County.
Some of the grizzlies which lived in California before the last one was killed were huge too, with some huge specimens being recorded before the species finally became extinct in this part of the country. The largest recorded grizzly in California was killed in 1866, in Valley Center. This massive animal weighed in at a colossal 2,200 pounds, a genuine monster of a grizzly.
The grizzlies which once dwelt in California were actually a sub species, and are sometimes called Californian Golden Bears, with scientists calling it Ursus arctos californicus. This type of grizzly was fierce and intimidating, and came into conflict with many settlers, whether they were farmers protecting livestock or other workers. Grizzlies were short and killed because of the danger that they posed to people.
The affection that some felt for the creature is shown as early as 1846, when an incident which became known as the 'Bear Flag Revolt' occurred in California. This was when the grizzly was first used on a flag representing California. The minor incident was an insignificant clash between Californians and some Spanish, but the emblem used on the flag was retained.
An official recognition of the grizzly as one of the state's symbols did not occur until 1911 though. This was only 11 years before the last grizzly was shot in Tulare. Nevertheless, the animal had featured on the flag which the Republic of California used when it became part of the USA in 1850.
So the state bear of California is actually no longer resident in this part of the USA at all, a somewhat sad historical irony. Visitors to California nowadays who go looking for bears in the state will see black bears, which are much smaller and shyer than their grizzly cousins. The grizzly serves as a symbolic reminder of how wild California once was, before the discovery of gold triggered a huge population invasion which was impossible for this hugely fierce and impressive animal to survive.
About the Author:
You can visit the website www.jpsbears.com for more helpful information about Why Does California Still Use The Grizzly As State Bear Though None Live There Now?
No comments:
Post a Comment