The Bear on the California Flag

Podcast: Bay Curious (LS 57 · TOP 0.5% what is this?)
Episode: The Bear on the California Flag
Pub date: 2026-03-19

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There's a pervasive story that the bear on California's state flag is modeled on a real California grizzly that was kept in captivity in San Francisco in the late 1800s. But when Bay Curious listener Mark Karn started researching Monarch, the facts weren't lining up for him. He wants to know, is it really Monarch on the state flag? Or, could it be a different bear altogether?

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• Who Is the Bear on the California Flag? A Story Bigger Than One Legend
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This story was reported by Katherine Monahan. Bay Curious is made by Katrina Schwartz, Christopher Beale and Olivia Allen-Price. Additional support from Gabriela Glueck, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Maha Sanad, Ethan Toven-Lindsey and everyone on Team KQED.

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