In the Shennongjia area, the most mysterious and captivating aspect remains the legend of the “Human Bear” and the Bear Mountain.
The legend of Bear Mountain dates back to ancient times. In the ancient Chinese text “Shan Hai Jing”, it is noted that Bear Mountain is home to numerous species of bears, but where exactly is Bear Mountain? This has remained a hotly debated topic until recent years. In 1987, experts researching this matter suggested that Bear Mountain could likely be located in the Shennongjia area. This claim is backed by evidence, as we can visualize Shennongjia on the map resembling a bear standing upright, discovering traces of bears deep within the forested mountains.
Today, according to incomplete statistics, there are about seven species of bears in the Shennongjia mountain area. If we categorize them based on their appearance and fur color, we can distinguish between the Asiatic black bear, brown bear, horse bear, pig bear, polar bear, human bear, and flower bear. Among these, the species that sparks debate is the flower bear, while the most mysterious is the human bear.
Some believe that the flower bear is actually a large species of cat bear. Others suggest that the flower bear could be a descendant of the polar bear and Asiatic black bear.
As for the human bear, there are even more opinions. Some say it is not a bear but rather a forest-dwelling human, or possibly a different species of creature outside of humans on Earth. This assertion lacks solid evidence but is relatively easy to explain when considering the upright stance and the ability of the human bear to use its hands, especially since its face resembles that of a human.
Is this creature a human or a bear? Or is it a combination of both? Could Shennongjia truly be the “Bear Mountain” mentioned in ancient texts? Experts assert that it is highly plausible. To date, no biologist has been able to explain this, primarily because no living human bear has ever been captured.
