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.
Grizzlies actually dwelt in California in abundant numbers though, up until the second half of the 19th century. During the days when California was part of America's western frontier, anyone who wandered in the wilderness there stood a good chance of encountering a grizzly in its natural environment. When gold was discovered in California in the 1840s though, that situation changed, with many thousands of people flocking to the area from all across the world.
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 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.
Although many people feared and hated the animal, there were clearly many others who found much to admire in the animal's size, fierceness and sheer combativeness. This saw the grizzly first used as a symbol of California in 1846, when a minor revolt saw some of the Spanish population in the area come into conflict with the state officials. The grizzly was used as an emblem on the Californian flag which was used in this event, later referred to by historians as the 'Bear Flag Revolt'.
But it took until just eleven years before the last grizzly in California was shot for it to be officially recognised as one of this western state's official emblems. Although the grizzly had featured on the flag when California applied for statehood in 1850, it was not officially adopted until 1911. In 1922, the last grizzly in California was killed, in a touch of sad irony.
The state bear of California is the great grizzly, which does not actually live there any more, expect as stuffed examples in the glass cases of museums. If you go to California looking to find bears, then it is not grizzlies that you will find now. Instead, the much smaller, less aggressive black bear wanders the hills and valleys of California nowadays.
Grizzlies actually dwelt in California in abundant numbers though, up until the second half of the 19th century. During the days when California was part of America's western frontier, anyone who wandered in the wilderness there stood a good chance of encountering a grizzly in its natural environment. When gold was discovered in California in the 1840s though, that situation changed, with many thousands of people flocking to the area from all across the world.
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 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.
Although many people feared and hated the animal, there were clearly many others who found much to admire in the animal's size, fierceness and sheer combativeness. This saw the grizzly first used as a symbol of California in 1846, when a minor revolt saw some of the Spanish population in the area come into conflict with the state officials. The grizzly was used as an emblem on the Californian flag which was used in this event, later referred to by historians as the 'Bear Flag Revolt'.
But it took until just eleven years before the last grizzly in California was shot for it to be officially recognised as one of this western state's official emblems. Although the grizzly had featured on the flag when California applied for statehood in 1850, it was not officially adopted until 1911. In 1922, the last grizzly in California was killed, in a touch of sad irony.
The state bear of California is the great grizzly, which does not actually live there any more, expect as stuffed examples in the glass cases of museums. If you go to California looking to find bears, then it is not grizzlies that you will find now. Instead, the much smaller, less aggressive black bear wanders the hills and valleys of California nowadays.
About the Author:
Buy state bear to represent your city from the Web's most trusted website www.jpsbears.com. To view the price list of our bears, go to http://www.jpsbears.com. We are waiting to take your order.
0 comments:
Post a Comment