New Mexico Is Hiring Professional Bear Huggers -- Here's How to Land the Dream Job The American Black Bear was selected as the state's official animal on February 8, 1963, by the New Mexico Legislature.

By Emily Rella

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Bears may not be considered the most cuddly of animals, but a new job posted by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is searching for people brave enough to spend their days cuddling the cubs.

The job listing is looking for "professional bear huggers," a.k.a. Conservation Officers, who will be required to "hike in strenuous conditions, have the courage to crawl into a bear den, and have the trust in your coworkers to keep you safe during the process."

The posting on Facebook, which has received over 2,700 reactions, displays adorable photos of current Conversation Officers cuddling the tiniest of bears that were taken out of a den in Northern New Mexico as part of a research project.

The role will also require a Bachelor of Science in a related field to wildlife conservation and sciences, including "biological sciences, political science or law enforcement, natural resources conservation, ecology, or [other] related fields."

Those selected for the position will be put through the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Recruit Training Program and complete training through the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy. There's also a physical fitness test.

"Not all law enforcement field work is this glamorous, but we would love for you to join the team where you can have the experience of a lifetime," the Department wrote in its social media post.

Other duties for the job include educating the public about wildlife in the area, participating in research, helping capture "problem animals," and investigating damages, among other responsibilities.

Those who feel up for the challenge are encouraged to apply through March 30.

According to New Mexico's official state website, the American Black Bear was chosen as the state's official animal on February 8, 1963.

It's estimated there are 850,000 to 900,000 black bears in North America.

Emily Rella

Senior News Writer

Emily Rella is a Senior News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. Previously, she was an editor at Verizon Media. Her coverage spans features, business, lifestyle, tech, entertainment, and lifestyle. She is a 2015 graduate of Boston College and a Ridgefield, CT native. Find her on Twitter at @EmilyKRella.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Leadership

Lead From the Top: 5 Core Responsibilities of a CEO

Knowing exactly what the chief executive's role entails is critical for steering a company to success.

Side Hustle

This Couple Started a Side Hustle to Improve a 'Terribly Made' Bathroom Essential. Now the Business Earns More Than $3 Million a Year.

Michael Fine and Lisa Schulner-Fine launched lifestyle brand Quiet Town in 2016 and have been growing it ever since.

Marketing

If You're Using ChatGPT This Way as a Marketer, You're Missing Out on Its Full Potential. Here's How to Maximize Your Results.

The real value of AI isn't in what you ask — it's in how you shape the conversation. Mastering prompt interactions means better content, sharper thinking and fewer generic outputs.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Marketing

Why Micro-Influencers Are Winning the Trust Game in Marketing

Here's how micro-influencers are driving authentic brand engagement and redefining trust in digital marketing.

Business News

Indie Bookstore Goes Viral After Hundreds of Customers Line Up to Help Move Its Inventory to a New Location — One Book at a Time: 'Book Brigade'

Serendipity Books is holding its grand opening event on April 26 to coincide with Independent Bookstore Day.