While it is usual for each of the states of the USA to have a series of state emblems, including animals, it is also a truism that the animals live there. This does not apply in the case of California though, whose state bear is the mighty grizzly. What is strange about this choice though is that there are actually no grizzlies still living in California.
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 increased the chance for conflict between people and the grizzly, which tended to live in great numbers on the slopes of California's lower mountains and in its valleys. Some scientists speculate that the grizzly existed in such numbers that there were more here than in any other part of North America. The last recorded specimen of this mighty animal in this part of the country was shot in Tulare County in 1922 though.
The size of the grizzlies which could be found in California in the 19th century era of settlement was huge too, and some massive specimens have been recorded from this period of time. Valley Center was the place where the largest ever recorded was shot and killed, in 1866. This giant of the bears was weighed at the time, with a weight of 2,200 pounds being recorded.
The sub-species of grizzly which lived in California was often referred to as the Californian Golden Bear, and was accorded a scientific name of Ursus arctos californicus. While many settlers into California may have appreciated the fierceness of the animal, as well as other characteristics, many did not. Grizzlies were shot and killed because of the danger that they posed to the new settlers who poured into California in the second half of the 18th century.
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.
It is a sad irony that the state bear of California does not actually dwell in the state any more. Any wildlife enthusiasts who travel to the wilder areas of California seeking bears will be lucky to see black bears rather than the mighty grizzly, whose days in this part of North America seem to be over. Black bears are a smaller animal than the grizzly, and also much more shy and less likely to seek contact with humans.
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 increased the chance for conflict between people and the grizzly, which tended to live in great numbers on the slopes of California's lower mountains and in its valleys. Some scientists speculate that the grizzly existed in such numbers that there were more here than in any other part of North America. The last recorded specimen of this mighty animal in this part of the country was shot in Tulare County in 1922 though.
The size of the grizzlies which could be found in California in the 19th century era of settlement was huge too, and some massive specimens have been recorded from this period of time. Valley Center was the place where the largest ever recorded was shot and killed, in 1866. This giant of the bears was weighed at the time, with a weight of 2,200 pounds being recorded.
The sub-species of grizzly which lived in California was often referred to as the Californian Golden Bear, and was accorded a scientific name of Ursus arctos californicus. While many settlers into California may have appreciated the fierceness of the animal, as well as other characteristics, many did not. Grizzlies were shot and killed because of the danger that they posed to the new settlers who poured into California in the second half of the 18th century.
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.
It is a sad irony that the state bear of California does not actually dwell in the state any more. Any wildlife enthusiasts who travel to the wilder areas of California seeking bears will be lucky to see black bears rather than the mighty grizzly, whose days in this part of North America seem to be over. Black bears are a smaller animal than the grizzly, and also much more shy and less likely to seek contact with humans.
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