Marsican Brown Bear

Ursus arctos marsicanus

Status: Critically Endangered. Very limited range of the Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise, in Italy. The bears range through the high peaks and woodlands, and population suffers from poaching, as well as accidental killing from poison and vehicles.

In Ancient Greek mythology, Artemis was the virgin goddess of the hunt, protector of animals, and chastity. She spurned the attentions of men, and so when one of her companions, Callisto (daughter of King Lykas) was seduced and lay with Zeus, she she vented her anger upon Callisto by turning her into a bear.

Callisto had a son by Zeus, and he was named Arkas. When he became grown, he ranged through the woods, and he came upon a bear. Not realizing she was his mother, he shot an arrow at her. To save Callisto from being killed by her son, Zeus intervened. He took her from her mortal existence, and placed her among the stars, there to be forever seen as the constellation of Ursa Major, the Great Bear.

References:
Aristotle. Parts of Animals. Movement of Animals. Progression of Animals. Translated by A. L. Peck, E. S. Forster. Loeb Classical Library 323. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1937.

Constellation Myths: With Aratus's Phaenomena. (2015). United Kingdom: OUP Oxford.