Spectacled Bear - Population & Distribution

A shrinking distribution

Data from 1999 suggests that there were approximately 4,000 to 5,000 individuals remaining in Colombia. This figure represents only 25% of the original population.

Current Population and Distribution
The spectacled bear is found from Venezuela to Northern Argentina, including Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. Recent evidence suggests that the species may be present in the Darien region between Colombia and Panama and also in the Jujuy province of Argentina. According to some researchers, the greatest number of bears is to be found on the borders between Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.

There is evidence that the size and number of wild populations of spectacled bear have decreased, although these indications are not backed by scientific studies. Recent estimated population sizes for most areas are small, with a total estimate for the Northern Andes (excluding most of Peru, Bolivia and northern Argentina) comprised anywhere between 6,000 and 10,000 individuals.