The Bear Specialist Group (BSG) is one of 140 Specialist Groups within the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) oversees the conservation of the 7 species of terrestrial bears (all but the polar bear, which being a marine mammal is handled by a separate Specialist Group).
Co-Chair for American Black Bear Leadership
Co-Chair for American Black Bear Leadership
Russ Van Horn, Andean Bear Expert Team Co-Chair
Ximena Velez-Liendo, Andean Bear Expert Team Co-Chair
Matt Hunt, Asiatic Black Bear Expert Team Co-Chair
Dave Garshelis, BSG Co-Chair & Asiatic Black Bear Expert Team Co-Chair
Bruce McLellan, BSG Red List Authority Focal Point & Asian Brown Bear Expert Team Co-Chair
Michael Proctor, BSG Deputy Chair & Asian Brown Bear Expert Team Co-Chair
Stephan Michel, Asian Brown Bear Expert Team Co-Chair
Ron Swaisgood, Giant Panda Expert Team Co-Chair
Dajun Wang, Giant Panda Expert Team Co-Chair
Harendra Bargali, Sloth Bear Expert Team Co-Chair
Nishith Dharaili, Sloth Bear Expert Team Co-Chair
Gabriella Fredrikson, Sun Bear Expert Team Chair
Robert Steinmetz, BSG Co-Chair & Sun Bear Expert Team Co-Chair
Polar Bear leadership
Polar Bear leadership
Djuro Huber, European Brown Bear Expert Team Co-Chair
Jon Swenson, European Brown Bear Expert Team Co-Chair
Trusted Partners
International Union for Conservation of Nature
International Association for Bear Research & Management