全球相當重要的學者表示，全球8大熊物種中，有6種正面臨滅絕的威脅，但美國黑熊並不在瀕危名單中。在此8大熊物種之中，只有美國黑熊在其分佈地區中受到保護，包括加拿大、美國和墨西哥。
按照海洋哺乳類動物的分類法來看，北極熊與另外7種陸棲熊類有所不同，其專家群與其他熊類也不同。2006年時北極熊在「世界自然保育聯盟瀕危物種紅皮書」中已被列為易危等級；「世界自然保育聯盟瀕危物種紅皮書」是一份針對上千類物種保育情況的全球分析報告，每年更新一次，每4年進行一次深入分析研究。
熊類科學家表示，熊貓是目前唯一被列入瀕危等級的熊物種，雖然中國的保育行動已有相當的成果，包括近60處熊貓保育地的建立、伐木禁令，以及廣泛的造林計劃，但熊貓瀕危的情況卻仍舊沒有改善。
Some of the world's foremost bear experts have declared that six out of the world's eight species of bears are threatened with extinction - but not the American black bear.
Among the eight species of bears, only the American black bear is secure throughout its range, which encompasses Canada, the United States and Mexico.
Technically a marine mammal, the polar bear is distinct from the other seven terrestrial bears and has a different specialist group. In 2006, the polar bear was listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, a global analysis of the conservation status of thousands of species, updated annually, with in depth analysis once every four years.
The only bear presently classed as Endangered is the giant panda. That status remains unchanged despite enormous efforts in China directed towards its conservation, including the establishment of nearly 60 panda reserves, a ban on logging, and widespread reforestation programs, said the bear scientists.
全文及圖片詳見 ：ENS
作者
In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.
