PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Until recently a remote and inaccessible area, the Pyrenees represented one of the last refuges in Europe for some of our most spectacular and endangered mammals and birds, including the brown bear (Ursus arctos), the Pyrenean ibex (Capra pyrenaica pyrenaica) and the bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus).
Even in the Pyrenees, all three had suffered dramatic losses as a result of direct impacts from hunting and poaching or through more diffuse human pressure on their habitat and the loss of genetic variability. The planned construction of a motorway along the Vallée d'Aspe in the early 1990s crossing the habitat of the last brown bears in the Pyrenees led to bitter confrontations both on-site and through political and judicial channels.
At the start of the project, these large fauna species had disappeared from many areas and were confined to the most inaccessible areas of the mountain chain. The bear population had fallen from 20-30 in 1984 to 9-11 by 1992, while the 10-12 ibex left had not bred since 1987. At 70 pairs, the plight of the bearded vulture was only marginally better.
This alarming situation could only be addressed by immediate concerted action on both sides of the French-Spanish border. This project was part of a two-phase, multi-beneficiary approach involving the national authorities of France and Spain, and three Spanish regional authorities. The relevant projects were:
LIFE93 NAT/E/011800 and LIFE95 NAT/E/000624 (Spanish Environment Ministry)
LIFE93 NAT/E/011801 and LIFE95 NAT/E/001160 (Aragon)
LIFE93 NAT/E/011802 and LIFE95 NAT/E/001159 (Catalonia)
LIFE93 NAT/E/011803 and LIFE95 NAT/E/001162 (Navarra).
LIFE93 NAT/F/011804 and LIFE95 NAT/F/001164 (French Environment Ministry)
The two-phases of the Catalonia project are presented as one below.
OBJECTIVES
The overall multi-beneficiary approach aimed to conserve and recover the three target fauna species through habitat improvement and targeted species protection. Planned actions included:
application of less damaging forms of forestry
captive breeding of the ibex and re-introduction to the wild
preparation of new habitats and feeding sites for the bear and reintroduction of individuals from Slovenia
increased availability of prey and protection of nesting sites for the bearded vulture
The French and Spanish authorities aimed to collaborate on a package of sub-projects covering nearly 4 000 km² to pull the populations of the three species back from the brink of extinction. The project plans were in accordance with the recovery plans designed by the regional and national authorities. Scientific research and monitoring of the species as well as awareness-raising towards land users and local authorities were to be permanent supporting actions.
This particular sub-project, co-ordinated by the Regional Government of Catalonia was focused on conservation actions to benefit the bearded vulture and brown bear.
Global objectives (both species):
Habitat protection and improvement through the regulation of human activities (e.g. forestry practices, farming practices, tourism etc. as appropriate).
Increased surveillance, scientific research and monitoring
Information dissemination and increasing public awareness to promote support for the conversation of these two species.
Specific objectives:
Bearded vulture – provision of supplementary feeding sites in the winter to increase juvenile and adult survival rates, and modifying power lines to reduce mortality caused by collisions
Brown bear –.It was initially planned to re-introduce bears from Slovenia as part of this sub-project but this was cancelled. The project was extended to 1999 to allow introduction of measures to reduce bear damage to livestock caused by re-introduced bears from neighbouring France.
RESULTS
Overall, the multi-beneficiary project had mixed results. The greatest successes were for the bearded vulture, which saw increases in population, distribution and survival. Measures were implemented to improve bear habitat and management, which should benefit the species in the long-term. A lasting benefit of the projects was greatly increased knowledge of the biology of these species and the boost given to coordinated action between the regional and national players. However, the projects were too late for the Pyrenean ibex, which sadly became extinct in January 2000.
This regionally coordinated sub-project made an important contribution to conservation efforts for the bearded vulture and brown bear. The actions and results of the project are as follows:
Bearded vulture.
The sub-project successfully implemented measures to reduce adult mortality and increase breeding success. It provided eight supplementary feeding sites in winter and modified at least 6 km of power lines by adding insulation to prevent electrocutions and devices to reduce collisions. However one particularly dangerous power line for bearded vultures could not modified because of the high cost.
Agreements were made in Catalonia to reduce certain activities, notably climbing, hunting and forestry in designated places at certain times, to reduce disturbance to breeding birds. Site studies identified 35 critical areas for the bearded vulture in Catalonia. Three nesting sites which had systematically failed because of disturbance were given extra surveillance and bred successfully. Regular monitoring and surveillance found that the population in Catalonia increased from 40 to 53 adults between 1994 and 1998, and five new territories were established, bringing the total up to 24.
A two-pronged awareness-raising campaign separately targeted the general public and the scientific community. The project produced leaflets, an exhibition and programmes for the general public and published 13 articles in scientific and technical publications.
Brown bear
This sub-project’s potential impact on bear conservation was diminished with the abandonment of the re-introduction programme due to hostility from parts of the local community following the re-introduction of bears in the neighbouring French Pyrenees.
However, a detailed study revealed good quality habitat for bears in Catalonia and assessed the impact of forestry and farming practices. Compensation payments were used to prevent felling in four forests considered valuable for bears. Habitat protection was well developed in the region and at the end of the project, a significant part of potential bear habitat had been proposed as a pSCI.
Although bears were not re-introduced, they were regularly present in Catalonia from 1996 and were closely followed and monitored through the radio transmitters they were wearing. A rapid compensation system to support stockbreeders that suffered bear attacks was quickly introduced to prevent reprisals against the bears. Bears roaming into Catalonia from neighbouring France killed 98 livestock between 1996 and 1999. This sub-project was extended until December 1999 to carry out measures to reduce damage to stock caused by bears: provision of electric fencing, acquisition of special guard dogs from the French Pyrenees; and the refurbishment of two shepherds’ huts so shepherds could stay with their animals, which reduced bear damage considerably.
The project produced just a few minor communication tools. The project highlighted the need both to actively promote popular acceptance of bears and to coordinate reintroduction programmes between regions and across borders.Overall, the multi-beneficiary project had mixed results. The greatest successes were for the bearded vulture, which saw increases in population, distribution and survival. Measures were implemented to improve bear habitat and management, which should benefit the species in the long-term. A lasting benefit of the projects was greatly increased knowledge of the biology of these species and the boost given to coordinated action between the regional and national players. However, the projects were too late for the Pyrenean ibex, which sadly became extinct in January 2000.
This regionally coordinated sub-project made an important contribution to conservation efforts for the bearded vulture and brown bear. The actions and results of the project are as follows:
Bearded vulture.
The sub-project successfully implemented measures to reduce adult mortality and increase breeding success. It provided eight supplementary feeding sites in winter and modified at least 6 km of power lines by adding insulation to prevent electrocutions and devices to reduce collisions. However one particularly dangerous power line for bearded vultures could not modified because of the high cost.
Agreements were made in Catalonia to reduce certain activities, notably climbing, hunting and forestry in designated places at certain times, to reduce disturbance to breeding birds. Site studies identified 35 critical areas for the bearded vulture in Catalonia. Three nesting sites which had systematically failed because of disturbance were given extra surveillance and bred successfully. Regular monitoring and surveillance found that the population in Catalonia increased from 40 to 53 adults between 1994 and 1998, and five new territories were established, bringing the total up to 24.
A two-pronged awareness-raising campaign separately targeted the general public and the scientific community. The project produced leaflets, an exhibition and programmes for the general public and published 13 articles in scientific and technical publications.
Brown bear
This sub-project’s potential impact on bear conservation was diminished with the abandonment of the re-introduction programme due to hostility from parts of the local community following the re-introduction of bears in the neighbouring French Pyrenees.
However, a detailed study revealed good quality habitat for bears in Catalonia and assessed the impact of forestry and farming practices. Compensation payments were used to prevent felling in four forests considered valuable for bears. Habitat protection was well developed in the region and at the end of the project, a significant part of potential bear habitat had been proposed as a pSCI.
Although bears were not re-introduced, they were regularly present in Catalonia from 1996 and were closely followed and monitored through the radio transmitters they were wearing. A rapid compensation system to support stockbreeders that suffered bear attacks was quickly introduced to prevent reprisals against the bears. Bears roaming into Catalonia from neighbouring France killed 98 livestock between 1996 and 1999. This sub-project was extended until December 1999 to carry out measures to reduce damage to stock caused by bears: provision of electric fencing, acquisition of special guard dogs from the French Pyrenees; and the refurbishment of two shepherds’ huts so shepherds could stay with their animals, which reduced bear damage considerably.
The project produced just a few minor communication tools. The project highlighted the need both to actively promote popular acceptance of bears and to coordinate reintroduction programmes between regions and across borders.