Don’t miss these documentaries

Americans buy an estimated 200,000 teddy bears every year, and quite a few of those furry friends will undoubtedly arrive as gifts this holiday season.

The inspiration for the treasured toy came from President Teddy Roosevelt’s 1902 visit to Mississippi. After an unsuccessful hunting expedition, one of Roosevelt’s assistants tied a Louisiana black bear to a willow tree. The president’s subsequent refusal to shoot the tethered bear made nationals headlines and inspired a Brooklyn toymaker to create a stuffed bear dedicated to the president who saved the animal’s life.

Unfortunately, two decades ago, the Louisiana black bear was nearly extinct. When the Louisiana black bear was first listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1992, there were estimated to be fewer than 300 of them left in the world. Today, the species is on the rebound.

The state’s efforts to save the iconic animal are chronicled in Louisiana Public Broadcasting’s Alive! In America’s Delta, Black Bear Comeback. LPB producers and photographers spent a year following Louisiana biologists on the forefront of the recovery effort, gaining unprecedented access to these threatened animals in the wild and capturing unique insights from those fighting to protect them. The new documentary premieres Monday, December 9, at 7 p.m. on LPB-HD.

With ample time and resources, biologists with the state department of wildlife and fisheries prove that species recovery is possible. Some examples of species recovery in Louisiana include the alligator, bald eagle, brown pelican, white tailed-deer, wild turkey, and now, the black bear.

Recently, innovative programs to reestablish these animals and restore their habitat through improved land management, high-tech monitoring and public education are enabling the recovery. Thanks to successful partnerships between the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Black Bear Conservation Coalition and private citizens, Louisiana black bears could soon be removed from protected status. New bear population studies in St. Mary, Iberia and Point Coupee parishes are nearly complete and will be a critical factor in making that decision.

The results of the U.S. Geological Survey’s study are expected in early January. After the data is analyzed, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will determine whether the Louisiana black bear can be removed from the federal Endangered Species List.

LDWF large carnivore program manager Maria Davidson estimates there are now between 500 and 1,000 bears in the state, and the population is growing.

“Once that data has been interpreted, either recovery has occurred, and it is a sustainable population, or it hasn’t,” Davidson says. “I personally believe we have recovered the bear, and that’s what the data will show.”

The black bear documentary is the latest episode of LPB’s six-part series. An encore showing of the first episode, Whooping Cranes Majestic Return, immediately follows the Black Bear episode.

Both shows will re-air Sunday, December 15 at 5 p.m. on LPB. Live streaming access to the programs will be available here on Monday, December 9 at 7 p.m. Both programs will then be available on-line through the end of December here.

More cuddly and interactive than a even teddy bear, many Friends of the Animals’ puppies and dogs are available for adoption including:

Pilot is a three-year-old English Pointer, who—through no fault of his own—is looking for a new home. Pilot loves all people from babies to seniors. Although he gets along great with other dogs, he cannot go to a home with cats. Pilot knows basic obedience commands, is housebroken and crate-trained. He also does just fine with free roam of the house even when left alone. This very sweet, goofy, loving and easy-going guy would be a great addition to any cat-less family.

Sunny is a gorgeous six-month-old lab mix. Since she was abandoned before arriving in fostering care, this young pup is a little shy and timid, but she quickly warms up. Sunny is crate-trained and working on being housebroken, learning basic and walking on a leash. Sunny’s new family will need to continue her training. She’s very smart, catches on quickly and is eager to please. Sunny is fine with all of her foster’s dogs and curious about cats and bunnies. Sunny will need a fenced yard with space to run and play. With the most beautiful soft and silky coat, this sweet girl will make a wonderful addition to a family—especially one with children she can grow up with.

Sandy is a 10-month-old shepherd mix, who weighs around 35 to 40 pounds. She craves human companionship and is very eager to please. This smart girl already knows basic obedience commands. But, she will probably need some additional training. This shy, sweet shepherd loves people and is great with other dogs; however, she is afraid of cats. Sandy will be a wonderful friend for the lucky family who opens their hearts to her.

Annie is a four-year-old spaniel/lab mix. Until she came into rescue, Annie had a horrible life. She was found emaciated and dragging a chain. Years of living on concrete have left Annie with calluses and a limp. She is still learning manners. But, remarkably, Annie is still a very happy girl, who loves to run and play. Nonetheless, she’s very grateful and happy to have human friends and will undoubtedly be a loving and loyal companion. Annie is best suited to a home without children. For more information, email [email protected].

Cricket is most likely an Italian greyhound/whippet/rat terrier mix. This precious little girl is approximately one-and-a-half-years-old and weighs around 15 pounds. Cricket is a shy little girl who craves attention, clings to your side and loves being loved. She also enjoys playing fetch. Cricket knows basic commands, is crate trained and walks well on a leash. She does well with other dogs and is curious about cats. She’s good with all people. Cricket will make one lucky family a wonderful companion. All she wants is someone to love her and make her a member of the family.

Elle is very shy and super sweet terrier mix. Unlike most young terriers, this sensitive, little one-year-old waif is very calm, not hyper at all. This 12-pound docile darling loves to be held and cuddled. So it you have room in your heart—and on your lap—for a pup who is looking for love, email [email protected].

All these pets have been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, heartworm tested and microchipped. Many other adoptable dogs are available through Friends of the Animals. For more information, click here.