Bears as Predators ~

[brotherbear]

Continued from post #109... The earliest formal fight of which we have record was held at Monterey in 1816 in honor of the newly appointed Governor of California, Pablo Vicente de Sola. At that time, however, the techniques for such a contest were already well established, and it is certain that fighting between bears and bulls had thrilled the people of the capital for a number of years previously. 
Fights between bears and bulls probably were staged in all settlements of Spanish California. In some towns a special arena was built consisting of a strong wooden fence to contain the beasts and a raised platform for the women and children, most of the men stayed on horseback outside the ring ( Bancroft, 1888 ). Monterey, the capital, had an arena of adobe and stone walls. Other towns utilized the plaza, which, being surrounded by buildings, needed to be barricaded only at the street exits. Overhanging balconies provided choice vantage points for the ladies.
According to Guadalupe Vallejo ( 1890 ), "The principal... fights were held at Easter and on the day of the patron saint of the Mission, which at San Jose was March 19." Having given a number of hours to prayer and religious rituals, the people were ready and eager for the noise and thrills of a holiday. Nothing satisfied their appetite for excitement better than to unleash a bear against a bull. If such a fight had been arranged, the crowd, on streaming out of the church, would gather to make bets and take refreshments. Then in a high state of anticipation the people would cluster about the arena and wait for the sport to begin. Reply