Real survivors
The Iberian brown bear rebelled against extinction
THE STORY of the Iberian brown bear (Oso pardo ibérico) is one of the most uplifting and inspiring of our times.
By the end of the 1980s there was little hope for the survival of this iconic animal, which is unique to Spain. Numbers had dwindled to critical levels due to uncontrolled hunting and the absence of coordinated strategies to protect it. There were only around 70 left in the wild at that time and it seemed that this magnificent animal, which is smaller than its European cousins, was destined to join many other species on the extinct list.
However, the very real threat to the survival of the bear brought a reaction from the Asturias regional government. They introduced strict new protection laws, coupled with a recuperation plan involving bear corridors to aid movement and compensation for farmers who had bee colonies or produce damaged by bears.
The private association Fundación Oso de Asturias (FOA), set up in 1992, has also done invaluable conservation work, and helped to educate those who visit the area. The herculean effort by conservationists and the authorities has led to a flourishing of this extraordinary animal, principally in the verdant western reaches of the Cantabrian mountains.
By 2010 numbers had doubled to around 150 – but the largest increase has come in the last 10 years. Figures provided by the FOA in 2016 show that the population stood at more than 240, with the number of cubs being born each year rising sharply. In the year 2000 just 11 new cubs were counted but this increased to 40 in 2015 – the highest number since the FOA began to monitor the population.
The latest available figures show that the total population has now reached 350 bears, according to estimations from another foundation, the Fundación Oso Pardo (FOP). The FOP noted that the number of cubs being born has remained constant – around 40 each year.
Where are they?
Since the 1970s there have been two separate populations of the Iberian brown bear in northern Spain. The largest colony comprising more than 280 bears is in Asturias, which has spread into mountainous areas of León province and Galicia. This colony, which covers a 2,800km2 area, has also been moving eastwards towards the smaller colony which comprises more than 80 bears in the corners of Asturias, León, Palencia and Cantabria.
FOP president Guillermo Palomero told national broadcaster RNE at the end of last year that the two groups had finally ‘united’ and there was now one ‘continuous’ population. This unification has given a major boost to the ‘eastern’ bears and greatly increased their chances of survival. He labelled it ‘very good news’ and added that the authorities would now have to ‘properly manage’ the increase in bears. One of the biggest challenges is ensuring that they can cohabit with the extensive livestock farming operations which are vitally important to rural communities in this part of Spain.
A total of 115 digital cameras have been placed in strategic positions around the mountains which automatically take photos of the bears. This has allowed scientists to find out more about their habits, feeding patterns and movements. They noted that carrion is an important source of food, particularly in the colder months of the year.
“If they can find enough carrion in winter and there is enough fruit for them in the spring then they are rarely seen and don’t cause any problems,” they added.
However, if food is scarce then they look for alternatives and have been known to assault bee hives and take the honey, provoking the ire of bee keepers.
Learning more about Spain’s largest mammal – which is still classed as being in danger of extinction – is essential for guaranteeing its survival, explained the FOP.
As it stands, they are almost there.