Wildlife Guide · Colombia & Peru

Spectacled Bear

Tremarctos ornatus (F. Cuvier, 1825)

South America's only bear — losing its cloud forest to coca, cattle, and roads.

IUCN: Vulnerable

Spectacled bear in cloud forest sanctuary in South America

In brief

The spectacled bear is South America's only bear species and the last surviving short-faced bear; the IUCN lists it as Vulnerable, threatened by deforestation, conflict with farmers, and the illegal wildlife trade.

By the WARN Research & Conservation TeamChecked against IUCN Red List & CITES sourcesLast updated June 2026

The spectacled bear — also called the Andean bear and named for the pale, spectacle-like markings around its eyes — is the only bear species native to South America and the last surviving member of the short-faced bear subfamily (Tremarctinae). It inhabits Andean cloud forests from Venezuela to Bolivia, a habitat under intense pressure from agricultural expansion, conflict crop cultivation, and infrastructure development.

~2,500–10,000

Mature individuals (IUCN estimate)

>30%

Decline projected over three generations

~23–61 km²

Home range of an adult male

Bear species native to South America

Figures sourced from IUCN Red List — Tremarctos ornatus (2017), Animal Diversity Web — Tremarctos ornatus, International Association for Bear Research and Management — Andean bear and other references on this page.

Spectacled Bear: Quick Facts

Vital statistics and key facts about the Spectacled Bear
Lifespan	~20–25 years wild; record 36 yrs 8 mo in captivity
Weight	Males ~100–200 kg; females ~35–82 kg
Shoulder height	~60–90 cm
Head-body length	~1.2–2.0 m
Diet	Largely herbivorous (~90–95% plant matter)
Gestation	~5.5–8.5 months, with delayed implantation
Young per birth	1–3 cubs (commonly 2)
Age at maturity	~4–7 years
Group / baby name	Largely solitary; young are called cubs
CITES	Appendix I

Scientific Classification

Scientific classification of the Spectacled Bear
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Mammalia
Order	Carnivora
Family	Ursidae
Subfamily	Tremarctinae (short-faced bears)
Genus	Tremarctos
Species	Tremarctos ornatus (F. Cuvier, 1825)

Conservation Status

IUCN Status: Vulnerable
Population: ~2,500–10,000 mature individuals (IUCN); ~18,000 total is a widely cited popular figure
Trend: Decreasing
Assessed: 2017
CITES: Appendix I

Listed Vulnerable under criteria A4cd, projecting a reduction of more than 30% over three generations driven by habitat loss and fragmentation.

Did you know?

Every spectacled bear's facial markings are unique — the pale rings and patches around the eyes and muzzle differ from bear to bear like a fingerprint, letting researchers tell individuals apart from camera-trap photos.

Key Facts: Spectacled Bear

Spectacled bears are the sole surviving members of the short-faced bear subfamily (Tremarctinae), a lineage that once included the extinct giant short-faced bear.
They are found across the Andean mountain chain from Venezuela to Bolivia, primarily in cloud forest, with a typical core band around 1,000–2,700 metres elevation.
They are the largest land member of the order Carnivora in South America, though their diet is roughly 90–95% plant-based — fruits, bromeliads, palm hearts, and orchid bulbs.
Adult males use home ranges on the order of ~23–61 km² depending on region and season — making them sensitive to habitat fragmentation, not the 600 km² sometimes claimed.
They are killed by farmers protecting crops and livestock, though actual predation of livestock by spectacled bears is rare and often over-attributed to them.
Cubs are sometimes orphaned and seized from the illegal pet trade after their mothers are killed, ending up in confiscation and rescue centres.

The Cloud Forest Under Pressure

Andean cloud forest — the primary habitat of the spectacled bear — is among the most biodiverse and most threatened ecosystems on earth. In Colombia and Peru, illegal coca cultivation has penetrated previously intact cloud forest, bringing with it road construction, deforestation, and human settlement. Cattle ranching continues to push upslope as lowland pasture becomes degraded. Mining and oil concessions in the Andean foothills displace communities upward, increasing pressure on higher-altitude forest. The spectacled bear needs large, connected territories, so fragmentation of cloud forest into isolated patches is as damaging as outright loss. The IUCN identifies habitat loss and fragmentation as the leading driver of the species' decline.

Conflict With Farmers

Spectacled bears occasionally raid crops — maize and sugarcane in particular — and are sometimes blamed for livestock losses that may actually be caused by pumas or feral dogs. Retaliatory killing is the most common cause of direct human-bear mortality. Farmers set snares and shoot bears that enter agricultural land, often without distinguishing between genuine and alleged crop raiders. WARN supports conflict-mitigation programmes that combine compensation for verified livestock losses with non-lethal deterrents and community engagement in bear-range communities.

Spectacled Bears in Myth and Reality

The spectacled bear is the species behind Paddington Bear's Peruvian origins. Author Michael Bond's character actually grew from a toy bear he bought near Paddington Station in 1956; the 'Darkest Peru' backstory and the spectacled-bear association came later, after it was pointed out that there are no bears native to Africa. The bear also holds deep cultural importance in indigenous Andean traditions, appearing in art, ceremony, and cosmology as a forest spirit. Despite this significance, legal protections in range countries are inconsistently enforced and wildlife-crime data are poorly collected. WARN works with local partner organisations that combine community relationship-building with practical conservation work.

Spectacled bear vs brown bear

Attribute	Spectacled bear	Brown bear
Scientific name	Tremarctos ornatus	Ursus arctos
Subfamily	Tremarctinae (short-faced bears)	Ursinae
Range	Andes of South America	North America, Europe, Asia
Male weight	~100–200 kg	~130–600+ kg (varies by region)
Diet	~90–95% plant matter	Omnivorous; more animal protein
IUCN status	Vulnerable	Least Concern (globally)
Notable trait	Only South American bear; last short-faced bear	Widespread; includes grizzly populations

What WARN Does

WARN partners with rescue and rehabilitation centres in Colombia and Peru to fund care for confiscated and orphaned bears, and supports conflict-mitigation programmes in farming communities on the edge of bear habitat.

When a mother spectacled bear is shot over a crop dispute, it is often her cub that survives — orphaned, sometimes seized from the illegal pet trade, and unable to fend for itself. Your gift helps WARN fund partner rescue and rehabilitation centres in Colombia and Peru that care for these confiscated and orphaned Andean bears, and the community conflict-mitigation work that prevents the next orphan.

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How can I help save the spectacled bear?

There are three practical things that make a real difference for the spectacled bear — and the first is the one that funds everything else.

Fund frontline rescue

Back the partner-led teams, veterinary care and protection that reach spectacled bears where the need is greatest — WARN channels donations straight to that work.

Ease the pressures

Avoid the wildlife trade and souvenirs, never buy wild animals as pets, and choose sustainable, habitat-friendly products — the threats behind the spectacled bear's decline fall when demand does.

Spread the word

Share accurate, sourced information about the spectacled bear. Wider awareness is what turns concern into lasting protection.

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Spectacled Bear: Frequently Asked Questions

How can I help save the spectacled bear?

The most effective way to help the spectacled bear is to fund the frontline rescue and habitat protection that keeps the species alive — WARN channels donations to partner-led teams working where the need is greatest. You can also ease the pressures behind its decline by avoiding the wildlife trade and souvenirs, never buying wild animals as pets, and choosing sustainable products, and by sharing accurate information to build wider support. See the ways to help below, or support WARN's Support Habitat Protection.

Is the spectacled bear the inspiration for Paddington Bear?

The spectacled bear is the species behind Paddington's Peruvian origins, but the character did not begin with a real bear. Michael Bond was inspired by a toy bear he bought near Paddington Station in 1956; the 'Darkest Peru' setting and the spectacled-bear association were chosen later, once it was noted that bears are not native to Africa. Wild spectacled bears are shy and largely solitary, active mostly around dawn and dusk, and rarely encountered by people.

What does a spectacled bear eat?

Despite being classified within the order Carnivora, spectacled bears are largely herbivorous — roughly 90–95% of their diet is plant material. They eat bromeliads (including the leaf bases and hearts), palm hearts, orchid bulbs, tree bark, and fruit, and occasionally insects, honey, and small animals. Their robust, short-faced skull and strong jaw muscles let them bite through tough fibrous vegetation that other animals cannot access.

How many spectacled bears are left?

The IUCN estimates roughly 2,500–10,000 mature individuals, with a decreasing population trend; a figure of around 18,000 total animals is widely repeated but is a popular upper estimate rather than the IUCN's mature-individual count. In its 2017 assessment the IUCN lists the species as Vulnerable (criteria A4cd) and projects a reduction of more than 30% over three generations (about 30 years) if current habitat loss continues.

How big is a spectacled bear?

Adult males weigh roughly 100–200 kg and females about 35–82 kg, standing around 60–90 cm at the shoulder with a head-and-body length of about 1.2–2.0 m. Males can be substantially larger than females, a clear example of sexual dimorphism.

How long do spectacled bears live?

In the wild they typically live around 20–25 years. They live longer in captivity; the documented record is 36 years 8 months.

Is the spectacled bear the same as the Andean bear?

Yes. 'Spectacled bear' and 'Andean bear' are two common names for the same species, Tremarctos ornatus. 'Andean bear' is increasingly preferred in conservation literature, while 'spectacled bear' refers to the pale rings that often mark the face.

Do spectacled bears really attack livestock?

Occasionally, but less frequently than farmers believe. Conflict studies suggest that pumas and feral dogs account for a substantial share of livestock losses in spectacled bear habitat, and losses are often misattributed to bears. That misattribution increases retaliatory killing and makes conflict harder to resolve.

Where do spectacled bears live?

Spectacled Bears live in Colombia, Peru, Bolivia. The spectacled bear is South America's only bear species and the last surviving short-faced bear; the IUCN lists it as Vulnerable, threatened by deforestation, conflict with farmers, and the illegal wildlife trade.

Are spectacled bears dangerous?

Spectacled Bears are not generally dangerous to people. The spectacled bear is South America's only bear species and the last surviving short-faced bear; the IUCN lists it as Vulnerable, threatened by deforestation, conflict with farmers, and the illegal wildlife trade. Give wild individuals space and do not corner or handle them.

Sources & References

Population figures, conservation status and biological facts on this page are drawn from authoritative scientific and intergovernmental sources.

Terms used on this page

Plain-English definitions, from our wildlife and conservation glossary.

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