Talk:Golden Bear (legend)

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The following statement is unsourced, and is contradicted by the official state of California website, and has been removed to this Discussion page for discussion:

"Another "golden bear", the California "golden bear" (Ursus arctos californicus) is now extinct. Golden Bears disappeared from the state of California by 1922. It can be seen on the state flag of California."

According to the official California State Library site, the bear on the California flag is "grizzly bear," not a "golden bear." See State of California Library site. I am unaware of any official site that refers to the bear on the California flag as a "golden bear." If anyone has authoritative information on this point, please post that information here. NorCalHistory 07:13, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

The official "State Animal" is the "California Grizzly Bear" and the California Grizzly Bear is Ursus arctos californicus The following is the quote from the official State of California website about the State Animal:

"The California grizzly bear (Ursus californicus) was designated official State Animal in 1953. Before dying out in California, this largest and most powerful of carnivores thrived in the great valleys and low mountains of the state, probably in greater numbers than anywhere else in the United States. As humans began to populate California, the grizzly stood its ground, refusing to retreat in the face of advancing civilization. It killed livestock and interfered with settlers. Less than 75 years after the discovery of gold, every grizzly bear in California had been tracked down and killed. The last one was killed in Tulare County in August 1922, more than 20 years before the authority to regulate the take of fish and wildlife was delegated to the California Fish and Game Commission by the State Legislature."

See Official State website

In addition, the following is the quote from the official State of California website about the California state flag:

"On June 14, 1846, a small band of settlers marched on the Mexican garrison at Sonoma and took the commandant, Mariano Vallejo, prisoner, They issued a proclamation which declared California to be a Republic independent of Mexico. This uprising became known as the Bear Flag Revolt after the hastily designed flag depicting a grizzly bear and a five pointed star over a red bar and the words "California Republic." The grizzly bear was a symbol of great strength while the lone star made reference to the lone Star of Texas. The flag only flew until July 9, 1846 when it was learned that Mexico and the United States were already at war. Soon after, the Bear Flag was replaced with the American flag. It was adopted as the State Flag by the State Legislature in 1911." (Emphasis supplied.)

See Official State website. NorCalHistory 07:59, 1 December 2006 (UTC)