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), Reserva Nacional de Caza de los Ancares (8 000 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 by the Brown Bear Foundation included:
land acquisition in key feeding and refuge areas
renting of hunting and timber-cutting rights to avoid disturbance and habitat degradation in critical habitats
reforestation of degraded habitats
plantation of chestnuts to increase and diversify food supplies
increased and improved surveillance to prevent disturbance and illegal hunting
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 by the Brown Bear Foundation made a real impact by successfully engaging local authorities and interest groups – particularly hunters - in activities targeting the bear conservation. It also acquired management rights over important land and helped restore valuable habitat for the bear.
The Foundation chose to become co-owner of land and rights in key bear areas, thereby having the right to intervene in their management and prevent activities that are incompatible with bear conservation despite a relatively small investment. Additionally, some land was purchased in the west of Asturias, in one of the best bear areas: Cangas de Narcea, Monasterio de Coto, Gedrez, Degaña. It acquired management rights over 5 670 ha under the multi-ownership system and purchased 17 estates with a total surface of 4.5 ha.
Monitoring of the bear population and project area were carried out by personnel of the Foundation with support from the Nature Protection Police. The beneficiary also signed an agreement with the Belgian NGO RNOB, which led to monitoring activities by volunteers from other countries. Surveillance of hunting areas covered an area of 18 661 ha. This caught 46 poachers and removed 113 snares.
The Foundation signed agreements with the Spanish Hunters Federation (500 000 members) to promote hunting activities compatible with bear conservation as well as further smaller agreements with local hunters. The Foundation set out the zones, periods and hunting practices allowed to minimise the risks to bears and the hunters committed to follow these. The positive example was shared through hunting magazines and other groups followed suit.
The Foundation promoted habitat improvement measures in the land acquired and in hunting areas. These actions involved the planting of chestnuts, oaks and cherry trees to increase food availability for the bear. Clearing works were carried out to prevent forest fires and promote the growth of trees.
The project received wide media coverage and delivered educational programmes for schoolchildren - Proyecto Huella & El país del oso - in different regions of the Cantabrian Mountains and also in the Pyrenees. Some of the awareness-raising materials - booklets for schoolchildren, poster and video - were adapted and used in Italy and Greece.
Additional specific measures worked to increase the social acceptance of the species in an important area. As well as public meetings, two traditional stone structures (cortinos) to prevent damage caused by bears to beehives were restored. These were also used for educational and awareness-raising purposes to show how man and bear have co-existed successfully historically. The beneficiary also contributed to the maintenance of a popular fiesta - Carnaval de la Vijanera - that symbolizes the relationship that has always existed between people and bears. 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 by the Brown Bear Foundation made a real impact by successfully engaging local authorities and interest groups – particularly hunters - in activities targeting the bear conservation. It also acquired management rights over important land and helped restore valuable habitat for the bear.
The Foundation chose to become co-owner of land and rights in key bear areas, thereby having the right to intervene in their management and prevent activities that are incompatible with bear conservation despite a relatively small investment. Additionally, some land was purchased in the west of Asturias, in one of the best bear areas: Cangas de Narcea, Monasterio de Coto, Gedrez, Degaña. It acquired management rights over 5 670 ha under the multi-ownership system and purchased 17 estates with a total surface of 4.5 ha.
Monitoring of the bear population and project area were carried out by personnel of the Foundation with support from the Nature Protection Police. The beneficiary also signed an agreement with the Belgian NGO RNOB, which led to monitoring activities by volunteers from other countries. Surveillance of hunting areas covered an area of 18 661 ha. This caught 46 poachers and removed 113 snares.
The Foundation signed agreements with the Spanish Hunters Federation (500 000 members) to promote hunting activities compatible with bear conservation as well as further smaller agreements with local hunters. The Foundation set out the zones, periods and hunting practices allowed to minimise the risks to bears and the hunters committed to follow these. The positive example was shared through hunting magazines and other groups followed suit.
The Foundation promoted habitat improvement measures in the land acquired and in hunting areas. These actions involved the planting of chestnuts, oaks and cherry trees to increase food availability for the bear. Clearing works were carried out to prevent forest fires and promote the growth of trees.
The project received wide media coverage and delivered educational programmes for schoolchildren - Proyecto Huella & El país del oso - in different regions of the Cantabrian Mountains and also in the Pyrenees. Some of the awareness-raising materials - booklets for schoolchildren, poster and video - were adapted and used in Italy and Greece.
Additional specific measures worked to increase the social acceptance of the species in an important area. As well as public meetings, two traditional stone structures (cortinos) to prevent damage caused by bears to beehives were restored. These were also used for educational and awareness-raising purposes to show how man and bear have co-existed successfully historically. The beneficiary also contributed to the maintenance of a popular fiesta - Carnaval de la Vijanera - that symbolizes the relationship that has always existed between people and bears.