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 Navarra project are presented as one below.
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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 Navarra focused on conservation actions to benefit the bearded vulture and brown bear, which in Navarra was then restricted to the Valle del Roncal.
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
Species-specific objectives:
Bearded vulture – provision of supplementary feeding sites, and the modification of 17 power lines to reduce collisions and electrocutions.
Brown bear - no additional objectives.
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, and the elaboration of a national strategy. 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 two supplementary feeding sites for winter and modified 19 power lines - devices to reduce collisions and insulation to prevent electrocutions - to reduce fatalities. It also re-sited five traditional organic waste dumps by farms in key areas to benefit the bird. Nests were kept under permanent surveillance, enabling rapid intervention in case of problems.
A series of five biological studies were carried out, including population demographics, interspecific competition with other vultures and pollutant analysis in eggs and adults. Monitoring allowed a permanent follow-up of breeding success and population developments. The population in Navarra more than doubled from 5 to 11 pairs between 1994 and 1998, and its range in Navarra extended and expanded westward.
The sub-project financed the preparation of awareness-raising materials, including display boards for visitor centres and two videos. Further habitat restoration and promotional material was planned beyond the project.
Brown bear
The project created a surveillance and monitoring team, which notably improved detection of bear presence and control of some activities that could disturb the species, such as forestry operations, boar hunting and tourist activities. Surveys were carried out to analyse potential bear habitat, important bear areas and corridors for the species. It was used to form the basis of a species recovery plan, which was legally approved in 1996.
However, only a proportion of the proposed habitat-protection measures were implemented because of local opposition. Compensation payments were made to prevent tree-felling in an important bear area in the Roncal valley, but felling went ahead elsewhere in a potential bear refuge area in the same valley. As a concession, some modifications were introduced to minimise the impact of this felling: retention of old trees, firs and a wooded strip around rocky areas. Proposals to extend tree-felling restrictions to a marginal part of the bears’ range - the head of the Valle de Urralegui - had to be abandoned because of strong local opposition.
The project introduced measures to improve stock protection - electric fencing and permanent flock surveillance - following the regular presence of one of the re-introduced bears from the central Pyrenees in 1998-99. These measures were very effective at limiting attacks on livestock. Stockholders were also compensated for losses, although this was funded outside the LIFE projects.
The most notable awareness-raising measures achieved were a permanent bear exhibition, including videos and panels, at the local visitor centre, and an information campaign which visited local schools. However, many local stakeholders still remain unsympathetic to the Regional Recovery Plan.Overall, the multi-beneficiary project had mixed results. The greatest successes were for the bearded vulture, which saw increases in population, distribution and survival, and the elaboration of a national strategy. 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 two supplementary feeding sites for winter and modified 19 power lines - devices to reduce collisions and insulation to prevent electrocutions - to reduce fatalities. It also re-sited five traditional organic waste dumps by farms in key areas to benefit the bird. Nests were kept under permanent surveillance, enabling rapid intervention in case of problems.
A series of five biological studies were carried out, including population demographics, interspecific competition with other vultures and pollutant analysis in eggs and adults. Monitoring allowed a permanent follow-up of breeding success and population developments. The population in Navarra more than doubled from 5 to 11 pairs between 1994 and 1998, and its range in Navarra extended and expanded westward.
The sub-project financed the preparation of awareness-raising materials, including display boards for visitor centres and two videos. Further habitat restoration and promotional material was planned beyond the project.
Brown bear
The project created a surveillance and monitoring team, which notably improved detection of bear presence and control of some activities that could disturb the species, such as forestry operations, boar hunting and tourist activities. Surveys were carried out to analyse potential bear habitat, important bear areas and corridors for the species. It was used to form the basis of a species recovery plan, which was legally approved in 1996.
However, only a proportion of the proposed habitat-protection measures were implemented because of local opposition. Compensation payments were made to prevent tree-felling in an important bear area in the Roncal valley, but felling went ahead elsewhere in a potential bear refuge area in the same valley. As a concession, some modifications were introduced to minimise the impact of this felling: retention of old trees, firs and a wooded strip around rocky areas. Proposals to extend tree-felling restrictions to a marginal part of the bears’ range - the head of the Valle de Urralegui - had to be abandoned because of strong local opposition.
The project introduced measures to improve stock protection - electric fencing and permanent flock surveillance - following the regular presence of one of the re-introduced bears from the central Pyrenees in 1998-99. These measures were very effective at limiting attacks on livestock. Stockholders were also compensated for losses, although this was funded outside the LIFE projects.
The most notable awareness-raising measures achieved were a permanent bear exhibition, including videos and panels, at the local visitor centre, and an information campaign which visited local schools. However, many local stakeholders still remain unsympathetic to the Regional Recovery Plan.