Syrian Brown Bear Ursus arctos syriacus

The Syrian Brown Bear is the smallest of the subspecies of Eurasian Brown and one of the rarest.

It is generally a honey blonde colour (but can be darker) and is the only bear of its genus with white claws (even the Polar has black claws).

Its range is mountainous areas theoretically of much of the Middle East from Turkey to Turkmenistan.

Despite the name "Syrian", it is likely extinct in Syria itself after years of war have destroyed the habitat and much of the country; it is not likely to be able to be re-established in the wild in Syria in the foreseeable term.

There may be some remnant populations in neighbouring countries. There are also very few Syrian subspecies in captivity.