PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The brown bear (Ursus arctos) is an endangered species included in Annexes II and IV of the Habitat Directive. The current distribution area of this large mammal in the Cantabrian mountains includes four autonomous administrative regions: Asturias, Cantabria, Castile and León and Galicia. The area is mountainous with forests of beech, oak, birch and chestnut mixed with open grassland and crags.
The bear population is divided into two apparently unconnected subgroups: the eastern one contains about 20 individuals; and the western one around 50-70. Together they represent 30% of the wild brown bear population in the EU. The main threats to this endangered species have been identified as habitat degradation, illegal hunting, disturbance and death from things such as traps and poison, and loss of genetic variability.
This project is part of an overall multi-beneficiaries, multi-annual approach involving four regional governments and a bear conservation NGO. The relevant projects are:
LIFE92 NAT/E/0014500, LIFE94 NAT/E/004827 & LIFE95 NAT/E/001155 (Asturias)
LIFE92 NAT/E/0014501 & LIFE95 NAT/E/001154 (Cantabria)
LIFE92 NAT/E/0014502, LIFE94 NAT/E/004829 & LIFE95 NAT/E/001158 (Castile and Leon)
LIFE92 NAT/E/0014503, LIFE94 NAT/E/001458 & LIFE95 NAT/E/001156 (Galicia)
LIFE92 NAT/E/0014504, LIFE94 NAT/E/004830 & LIFE95 NAT/E/000628 (the Brown Bear Foundation)
The projects covered several protected areas, such as Muniellos Natural Reserve (5 542 ha), Somiedo Natural Park (87 900 ha), hunting reserves (590 299 ha) and SPAs (43 756 ha).
OBJECTIVES
All the projects operating under the joint approach aimed to combat the main threats facing the brown bear in the Cantabrian mountains through conservation and recovery of its habitat and the eradication of illegal hunting
The planned project actions in Castile and Leon were in accordance with the recovery plan adopted by the regional government in 1990.
The foreseen actions included:
reforestation of degraded habitats
plantation of chestnuts to increase and diversify food supplies
increased and improved surveillance to prevent disturbance and illegal hunting
a proper compensation system for all legitimate claims for damages inflicted by either bears or wolves.
awareness-raising activities targeting local populations and children.
RESULTS
Overall the LIFE ursus arctos projects dated 1992-95 made a significant contribution to understanding the brown bear, its distribution, needs and threats. They specifically led to the preparation of a National strategy for brown bear conservation. The four regional governments and the NGO met periodically together with national authorities to discuss their work and outcomes. This led to the establishment of a national co-ordination committee for bear conservation that has been afterwards maintained in the framework of the National Commission for Nature Conservation.
The projects in Castile and Leon successfully implemented the coordination and supervision of activities included in the Recovery Plan of the Brown Bear. It assessed the impact of works and activities in bear areas, improved surveillance and developed an effective compensation system for damage by bears and wolves.
Forest rangers and surveillance patrols monitored the bear population, using standardised files to record tracks, hairs and any other signs of presence. The project trained 125 rangers and Civil Guards to do this. Specialised personnel also guided the specific monitoring of females with young every year in spring and summer. This monitoring helped identify the most important feeding and refuge areas for the bear.
There were two bear populations in Castile and Leon: a western population in Leon province; and an eastern population in Palencia province. Monitoring found a stable trend in the western population, but an alarming decrease in the eastern one, particularly in the Riaño area where genetic studies – funded by the Ministry of the Environment - showed that only five males survived.
To protect the bear, the surveillance teams assessed and controlled hunting and forestry activities and worked to eradicate poaching. The project assessed the impact on bears and bear habitat of about 50 different projects including mining, roads, tourist activities and electric cables. It closed 45 tracks used by bears in Fuentes Carrionas Hunting Reserve (Palencia) with only limited access to forestry and livestock activities and made recommendations concerning the organisation and authorisation of beats. Supplementary feeding was also carried out during periods of scarcity as an exceptional measure, with good success.
The procedure for compensation payments was improved, with payments made within two months of the damage, which mostly affected cattle and beehives. The payment of compensations for damage caused by bears and wolves has an important social impact and helps to improve acceptance of the species by the local population and reduce the use of poisons and traps.
Awareness raising campaigns sought to inform people involved in economic activities in bear areas about the management measures and restrictions imposed by the Recovery Plan and also to increase children’s understanding of bears and their pride in the species. School activities involved 172 pupils and a seminar was held on forestry management in bear areas.Overall the LIFE ursus arctos projects dated 1992-95 made a significant contribution to understanding the brown bear, its distribution, needs and threats. They specifically led to the preparation of a National strategy for brown bear conservation. The four regional governments and the NGO met periodically together with national authorities to discuss their work and outcomes. This led to the establishment of a national co-ordination committee for bear conservation that has been afterwards maintained in the framework of the National Commission for Nature Conservation.
The projects in Castile and Leon successfully implemented the coordination and supervision of activities included in the Recovery Plan of the Brown Bear. It assessed the impact of works and activities in bear areas, improved surveillance and developed an effective compensation system for damage by bears and wolves.
Forest rangers and surveillance patrols monitored the bear population, using standardised files to record tracks, hairs and any other signs of presence. The project trained 125 rangers and Civil Guards to do this. Specialised personnel also guided the specific monitoring of females with young every year in spring and summer. This monitoring helped identify the most important feeding and refuge areas for the bear.
There were two bear populations in Castile and Leon: a western population in Leon province; and an eastern population in Palencia province. Monitoring found a stable trend in the western population, but an alarming decrease in the eastern one, particularly in the Riaño area where genetic studies – funded by the Ministry of the Environment - showed that only five males survived.
To protect the bear, the surveillance teams assessed and controlled hunting and forestry activities and worked to eradicate poaching. The project assessed the impact on bears and bear habitat of about 50 different projects including mining, roads, tourist activities and electric cables. It closed 45 tracks used by bears in Fuentes Carrionas Hunting Reserve (Palencia) with only limited access to forestry and livestock activities and made recommendations concerning the organisation and authorisation of beats. Supplementary feeding was also carried out during periods of scarcity as an exceptional measure, with good success.
The procedure for compensation payments was improved, with payments made within two months of the damage, which mostly affected cattle and beehives. The payment of compensations for damage caused by bears and wolves has an important social impact and helps to improve acceptance of the species by the local population and reduce the use of poisons and traps.
Awareness raising campaigns sought to inform people involved in economic activities in bear areas about the management measures and restrictions imposed by the Recovery Plan and also to increase children’s understanding of bears and their pride in the species. School activities involved 172 pupils and a seminar was held on forestry management in bear areas.