Spectacled Bear

Tremarctos ornatus

photo by Phillip Coffey

Physical Appearance: The South American spectacled bear has excellent eyesight and gets its name from the markings around their eyes. These markings are unique to each individual and can be used for identification.

Andes Map Geographic Range: Spectacled bears are found in the Andes Mountains of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Peru.

Status: Vulnerable

Threats to Survival: There are an estimated 2000 to 2400 remaining in the wild. The bears are endangered because of habitat loss. They are also hunted for their fur and meat. Even though it is illegal to hunt the bears, it is very difficult to enforce.

Habitat: Historically found from dry coastal deserts, to rainforests, to treeless alpine areas above 4000 meters.

Habits: Primarily vegetarian, the spectacled bear feeds on fruit and leaves.

Captive Breeding: Gerald Durrell first brought a male spectacled bear, Pedro, to the Jersey Zoo in 1963. A female on loan from the Brookfield Zoo, Chicago, USA was successfully mated with Pedro and the first two litters were born in 1972 and 1974. 5 spectacled bears are currently in the Jersey collection.