header: Brown Bear WWF Logo
line Ursus arctos Linnaeus, 1758

CONSERVATION AND RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

(numbered projects are WWF projects)

Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe (project 9E0121): WWF International is preparing an action plan to restore viable populations of large carnivores - brown bear, wolf, lynx and wolverine - in Europe. The programme is based on restoration of ecosystems in which large carnivore populations will naturally repopulate.

Bear Action Plan: 20 An Action Plan for Bear Conservation is being prepared by the Bear Specialist Group of the IUCN/Species Survival Commission. The Plan is intended to be the main source document for bear and bear habitat management authorities for the next 20 years.

Recolonization Programme, former Yugoslavia: 14 The Slovenian Ministry of the Environment plans an international bear programme involving Italy and Austria, aimed to encourage the recolonization of the southeastern and central Alps from bear populations in Slovenia and Croatia. Research has been halted by civil war in the former Yugoslavia.

Austria: WWF-Austria is helping to put together a bear recovery plan for Austria and also has a bear "action team" to address bear problems. Two Brown Bears were recently moved into Austria from Yugoslavia in an attempt to re-establish the species. Until their radio collars failed, both bears were known to have remained in the area. Solar powered electric fences have been constructed to prevent damage to honey bee stocks. There are plans to reintroduce four more individuals into this range.8

Pyrenean Bear Translocation, France: 18,19 There may be seven to ten bears left in the French Pyrenees. It is planned to enlarge this population with bears from elsewhere in Europe. Although the bears in Spain and Scandinavia are genetically closer to the French bears, the rarity of Spanish bears and transport difficulties from Scandinavia have led France to request three or four bears from Slovenia. In 1990, the French Government unilaterally prohibited hunting in 6,500 ha of the Pyrenees and closed roads to important habitat, causing some conflict with local residents.7

Trenten Alps, Italy: 16 A recovery plan has been created for the Brown Bear population of the Italian Alps. Surveys indicate that less than five individuals remain within the area. Computer simulations suggest that suitable habitat is available to maintain a viable population of 40 to 60 bears in the western part of Trentino. Recommendations for recovery include: translocation of bears from Slovenia/Croatia, and developing public support, especially amongst local people.

Preliminary Management Plan, Romania: 17 The increasing population of Brown Bears in Romania (the second largest national population in Europe) is leading to human-bear conflicts, including: damage to orchards; bears visiting town and village refuse sites; and the threat to domestic stock and bee hives. The plan suggests that research is undertaken on the development of specific management plans for protected areas and important bear sites currently outside them and that education and compensation programmes are improved.

Impact of Roads, Slovenia: 15 Initial results indicate that although bears do not avoid roads/motorways, they do act as barriers to dispersal. Studies are continuing using automatic cameras to identify sites important to bears for crossing, with a view to developing the safety of these points. Electric fencing will also be assessed to determine if it inhibits crossing and/or encourages the use of bridges and tunnels.

Other Projects: The feasibility of reintroducing Brown Bears into the French Alps has been studied.7 In 1990, a project began in Abruzzo National Park, Italy, to capture and radio-track bears.8 With possible reintroduction in view, a WWF and "Swiss Bear Group" study to determine the extent of Brown Bear habitat in Switzerland was started in 1990.8 Research (involving radio tracking) has been undertaken in Sweden on the general biology, distribution and conservation of the Bear population.8,21 A study in the Vassfaret area of Norway showed that hunting initially reduced the population, but during the study period (1949-1988) habitat loss was the final cause of extinction.22 The Rhodope Mountains, the northern slopes of Mount Falakron and the Pindus Range, Greece have been surveyed for bears. Data from these surveys is being used to create a bear management plan. In order to reduce bear-human conflicts some honey bee stocks have been protected by electric fencing.14

WWF is undertaking a number of projects to protect brown bear habitats within European Russia. These include: Resource Use in Pechora-Ilych (RU0007); Assistance to Oksky Zapovednik (RU0012); Bryansky Les Zapovednik (RU0014); and Protection of Brown Bear populations (RU0011).


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