WWF-UK: Danubio the spectacled bear
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Danubio the spectacled bear

"I am now reporting from the breathtaking landscapes of Colombia's northern Andes, in South America, home to hundreds of different plants and animals. Some of the wildlife living deep in these mountains is found nowhere else on your planet. This includes birds, butterflies, lizards and orchids."

"The forests are also home to an unusual large mammal, an excellent climber with black fur and long claws. Let me introduce you to the spectacled bear – the only bear species that lives in South America. This animal gets its name from the markings on its face, which sometimes makes them look like they're wearing glasses!"

"Spectacled bears mainly eat plants and fruits and play an important role of dispersing seeds in the forests where they live. Fruit seeds pass through their digestive system in one piece, which means new plants can appear wherever these bears leave their droppings! This unique method of dispersing seeds is important for maintaining diversity in the places where they live."

"Unfortunately, spectacled bears are under threat. Many of the places where spectacled bears live have been replaced with farmland. This means that the bears have a smaller range in which to find food and shelter, but it also brings them into closer contact with people, who view these animals as pests, because they eat their crops. "

"When a spectacled bear recently appeared in the small Colombian village of El Pensil and started devouring their crops, the reaction of the community would ordinarily have been to kill the bear. But fortunately, thanks to an education programme run by WWF, the villagers here wanted to protect the bear rather than destroy it."

"The villagers contacted WWF who arranged for the bear to be relocated to the safety of a local National Park, where it would find plenty of food and shelter to support it. Before it was released, the villagers decided that they would name the bear "Danubio" after the nearby mountain where it was first spotted."

"Scientists are now monitoring Danubio, so that they can learn more about spectacled bears and try and understand how best to protect them. The children from the village of Pensil have also been able to follow the progress of Danubio, through a WWF-supported club called the "Inheritors of the Planet". "

"The "Inheritors of the Planet" encourages children to get involved with conservation activities and teaches them the importance of conserving the plants and animals around them. Since Danubio was discovered, the Inheritors group, have been involved in monitoring his progress."