The brown bear (Ursus arctos) is a large bear species found across Eurasia and North America.[1][2] In North America, the populations of brown bears are called grizzly bears, while the subspecies that inhabits the Kodiak Islands of Alaska is known as the Kodiak bear. It is one of the largest living terrestrial members of the order Carnivora, rivaled in size only by its closest relative, the polar bear (Ursus maritimus), which is much less variable in size and slightly bigger on average.[3][4][5][6][7] The brown bear's range includes parts of Russia, Central Asia, China, Canada, the United States, Hokkaido, Scandinavia, the Balkans, the Picos de Europa and the Carpathian region (especially Romania), Iran, Anatolia, and the Caucasus.[1][8] The brown bear is recognized as a national and state animal in several European countries.[9] While the brown bear's range has shrunk, and it has faced local extinctions across its wide range, it remains listed as a least concern species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) with a total estimated population in 2017 of 110,000. As of 2012, this and the American black bear are the only bear species not classified as threatened by the IUCN, though the large sizes of both bears may be a disadvantage due to increased competition with humans.[1][2][6] Populations that were hunted to extinction in the 19th and 20th centuries are the Atlas bear of North Africa and the Californian, Ungavan[10][11] and Mexican populations of the grizzly bear of North America. Many of the populations in the southern parts of Eurasia are highly endangered as well.[1][12] One of the smaller-bodied forms, the Himalayan brown bear, is critically endangered, occupying only 2% of its former range and threatened by uncontrolled poaching for its body parts.[13] The Marsican brown bear of central Italy is one of several currently isolated populations of the Eurasian brown bear and is believed to have a population of just 50 to 60 bears.[9][14]
The tale of the film, as narrated by the rooster Alan-a-Dale, begins after the greedy and immature lion Prince John took advantage of the absence of his brother King Richard to usurp the crown from him, with assistance from his advisor, Sir Hiss the snake. From then on, the land is plagued with outrageously high taxes, notably through the actions of the Sheriff of Nottingham, a heartless wolf who keeps the city under the Prince's thumb and has no qualms stripping the poor people of each and every last bit of their savings. Thankfully, there is hope for the people. Hiding within Sherwood Forest, a pair of robbers composed of a fox known as Robin Hood and his trusty bear companion Little John have made it their duty to steal from the rich to give to the poor. Through a variety of schemes and disguises, they take from the unworthy ruler and his lackeys to give back to the struggling citizens, such as Friar Tuck, the badger in charge of the local church who supports the outlaws' actions and himself tries to help his fellow residents best as he can. Meanwhile, living alone with her lady-in-waiting, a hen named Lady Kluck, is a beautiful and benevolent vixen known as Maid Marian, who happens to be King Richard's niece. Years ago, she and Robin Hood used to be sweethearts; and today, neither has forgotten about the other, as they are longing to be once more reunited. However, Prince John is more than determined to finally catch the thief who humiliated him so many times...
