PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
A small population of about 80 brown bears survives in the Cantabrian Mountains, split into two nuclei. Their future looks bleak: the most recent population surveys indicate a low rate of reproduction, with an average of 6 cubs a year. These surveys also point out a high mortality rate among adult females as the fundamental problem to be addressed if the population is to be maintained and reinvigorated.
The principal threats weighing on the Cantabrian bear population are poaching and the loss and degradation of habitats as a result of human activities (mining, opening of tracks, tourism pressure). This LIFE project fitted into the framework of the measures undertaken in previous years to preserve this bear population through the application of regional plans for its recovery. It took place in areas proposed as pSCI for the Natura 2000 network.
OBJECTIVES
The project was undertaken with the aim to reduce the two main threats to Cantabrian bear, hunting and habitat degradation, in its three leading breeding areas: Ancares-Narcea, Somiedo and Fuentes Carrionas. To achieve this aim, the collaboration and participation of the principal parties concerned was sought, including regional authorities, municipalities, local hunting associations and the National Hunting Federation.
To eliminate poaching, six new local rangers were recruited and trained up to patrol 30,000 hectares of hunting grounds. They also undertook awareness-raising activities among hunters, school pupils and the local inhabitants in general, with the objectives of generating a sense of pride at living among bears and of facilitating acceptance of these animals. To limit the disturbance caused by visitors to the breeding areas, three local wardens were trained and equipped and given the task of keeping a watchful eye on tourism over an area of 29,000 hectares; they also provided general assistance to the rangers.
RESULTS
The project was successful in achieving its main objective of helping to increase the conservation chances of the brown bear in the Cantabrian Mountains. Acting upon the key threats to the species was very effective; the measures planned took place in the most important areas for the bear and proved to be adequate for involving local hunters and local authorities in the management of bears.
Surveillance of the critical bear areas was a remarkable task carried out by three patrols hired among locals with the main aim to control poaching (e.g. by the removal of snares) and monitor legal hunts by collaborating with hunting associations. Information and awareness raising of tourists and other stakeholders was also undertaken by the patrols, who were also active in controlling and informing about other threats like fires and habitat degradation and loss. The work of the patrols managed to overcome the initial reluctance of the local stakeholders, and became highly accepted and recognised by these. The specific results of raising the awareness of the local people involved in bear conservation were very satisfactory. The local authorities did not only accept the project, but also contributed with some infrastructure and facilities to its execution. Hunting associations, traditionally a very controversial sector, became partners in the conservation of bears: hunts are now carefully monitored, and there is a new feeling of the importance and value of bears. As a result, no hunting accidents happened in recent years and the hunters provided valuable information on bears to the FOP. The tourism sector was adequately informed and their response was satisfactory in general. The “Track” environmental education programme targeted all the children living in bear areas. Besides, the 3 main conservationist groups working in the area (FOP, FAPAS and FOA) concluded an important agreement for collaboration. Other authorities like the regional government and warding corps (SEPRONA; regional guards, etc.) worked jointly and in good harmony in the bear areas. This co-operative framework resulted from the project to a great extent. Bear population trends reflected the effectiveness in project execution, of which the central years, 1999 and 2000, were historic in terms of new family groups detected. Indeed, 7-8 female bear with cubs were identified each year, and this is considered a good indicator of population dynamics. These optimistic data corresponded to the western population, which appeared to be starting a recovery process. The eastern population, however, seemed in a steady status already for 15 years at the time, probably due to inadequate population structure and inbreeding. The need to implement some new actions (e.g. reinforcements) to save this sub-population became clear. Aided by previous initiatives for the target species in the same range, the remarkable improvements in the status of the western breeding population of the Cantabrian bear achieved within the project, together with its success in gathering support and co-operation from all stakeholders at different levels, set up a favourable scenario for the long-term conservation of the species and for the effective implementation of the Natura 2000 network in the project area. Indeed, the promotion of activities and land uses that are compatible with the key conservation role that must prevail in these sites, the creation of a feeling of pride linked to living with bears, and the dissemination of the potential benefits of living in areas with important natural assets accomplished in the project contributed to paving the way forward. This LIFE project contributed to the classification of the three project locations under stricter nature protection designations. Muniellos and Somiedo became biosphere reserves, and Fuentes Carrionas was listed as Natural Park. These long efforts that led to a strong local involvement in the implementation of Natura 2000 also favoured the consolidation of a new approach to land planning in which nature conservation became prevalent, since new income and labour sources linked to the preservation of the area’s natural assets were generated. The Somiedo Natural Park, for example, became a key reference both in neighbouring districts of Asturias and in other regions, for it is a successful case of alternative development in mountain areas undergoing severe recession after the crisis of their traditional economies (e.g. based on mining or herding). This area has deeply transformed the socio-economic profile and has developed a healthy local economy. Another highlight in this respect was the strengthening of information and awareness raising strategies rather than just applying punishing policies to inadequate behaviours. The demonstration value of this project was soon put into practice, as very similar schemes were started in neighbouring areas. In fact, most of the main bear range is now covered by FOP patrols that control the hunting activity, and FOP awareness raising campaigns similar to the “Track” programme are ongoing. These works are partially supported with LIFE funds through projects carried out in the Ancares of León (99/6352), Galicia (99/6371) and Asturias (00/7352). Furthermore, a similar working model (i.e. by searching agreements with hunting associations, landowners, etc.) was proposed for other species bearing similar problems, such as Lynx pardinus in Southern Spain. The long-term framework set up to recover the populations of Cantabrian bear and supported by the LIFE programme had remarkable accomplishments but still a challenging way forward. The different status of the two bear population nuclei, with the western one undergoing a promising recovery process whilst a steady trend remains for the eastern one, requires individual conservation programmes to outweigh different threats remaining such as snares and the wild boar and deer problems, unaware hunting, and habitat degradation linked to incompatible (e.g. mining and forestry) or badly planned (e.g. tourism) economic activities. Additional efforts are needed to improve the status of the eastern bear population, for which a range of studies (e.g. genetic, population structure and habitat constraints) would help define the most relevant conservation measures.
