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The spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus), is a threatened species that inhabits the Andean zones of South America. Its threatened status is due primarily to deforestation and hunting pressure. Its future in Venezuela depends on the populations that remain in national parks. The Sierra Nevada National Park (Mérida and Barinas States, Venezuela) is one of the most important parks for bears in Venezuela. During 1990 and 1991, PROVITA undertook an ethnozoological study in this national park to determine significant human-bear interactions. This study was used to define priorities for conducting an environmental education program in the park, with the spectacled bear as the key to this program. Eighty-six personal interviews concerning the spectacled bear were carried out in 35 sites within and bordering the park. Hunting pressure is greater outside than within the park. The presence of the park seems to be more effective in protecting the bears than general laws prohibiting bear hunting. In the southwestern part of the park the hunting pressure is especially high, and this zone should have the highest priority for urgent action. The most important changes needed are modification of the cattle raising system employed in the zone and the transformation of the mythical beliefs held about this animal.