PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
By 1990 native bears in the Central Pyrenees had become extinct. However, reinforcement action with specimens of the same genetic strain from Slovenia was initiated in 1996. These efforts, which were funded and promoted by France and Spain, as well as the EU with support from the LIFE programme, were nevertheless inadequate, and the bear became extinct in the whole of the Pyrenees by 2004.
However, further efforts have subsequently been made, and the number of bears has reached about 30 individuals, almost 90% of whom live totally or partially in Catalonia. They enjoy areas of high-quality habitat that have been mostly included in the Natura 2000 network. But the genetic composition of the population is weak, since more than 75% of newborns are descended from a single male.
One of the main challenges for bear conservation is conflict with the local population and negative public opinion. Moreover, territorial fragmentation of the bear populations creates further conflicts depending on the territory and reduces administrative cohesion. Successful co-existence has yet to be achieved and ensuring connectivity between areas may not be feasible.
OBJECTIVES
The PIROSLIFE project aimed to consolidate bear populations and strengthen their long-term conservation in the Pyrenees. It planned to develop measures to improve coordinated action between different administrative units in order to help support the co-existence of bear populations with human interests. It also aimed to develop a management approach that could be an example to other territories.
The project planned to draft a 10-year Bear Action Plan (2014-2023) based on studies of the genetic and demographic structure of the bear populations. A network of bear habitat spaces would be developed with improved ecological connectivity within the Natura 2000 network. The project would also develop an administration network to coordinate monitoring and bear conservation across the Pyrenees.
One of the main aims of the project was to introduce a male bear from a different territory and with good genetic variance into the resident population. The project would draft a manual on how to carry out this sort of reintroduction.
Awareness-raising efforts would create a more positive attitude towards the bear, focusing on the possible eradication of risk of attack to livestock and beekeeping as well as danger to humans. The project planned to define action rules to prevent and reduce conflict in zones of proximity to people, including agreements with livestock owners and hunters.
RESULTS
Although the PIROSLIFE project did not achieve all its objectives, it nevertheless contributed to the consolidation of brown bear populations and ensured their long-term conservation in the Pyrenees. The bear population increased from 30 to 50 individuals during the project.
The project moreover released a male brown bear, named Goiat, who is expected to strengthen the population’s genetic composition. However, he had yet to produce any apparent offspring in the three and a half years since his introduction, and the impact of this measure requires long-term evaluation.
Another key outcome of the project was an improved damage prevention system, which was shown to stand up well to attacks. However, conflict with the local population (mainly livestock sector workers) increased sharply in 2017 and 2018, as a consequence of the Goiat’s predatory behaviour. Such conflict has implications for further reintroductions. In fact, in April 2020 after the end of the project, a bear died from alleged poisoning. Thus, the project’s goal of demonstrating the feasibility of co-existence without attacks was not achieved.
Specific results of the project include:
- Generation of accurate information on zones where bears are present and on their movements and the production of quality maps;
- Improved protection of livestock and the development of new procedures for action;
- Strengthened communication with the farming sector leading to a reduction in the number of bear attacks in those areas engaged;
- Improved communication among political and administrative units and the creation of committees dedicated to the conservation of the species;
- Creation of a care centre for the rehabilitation of orphaned, injured or weak individuals;
- Greater acceptance of the bears’ presence;
- Establishment of mediation rules published as best practices; and
- Management procedures for brown bears, including the protocols for capture by helicopter and for chemical testing in carrying out aversion therapy on problematic bears.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Communication Plan/After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).
