Re-introduction of Pyrenean bears to the Pyrenees Mountains

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Reintroduction of bears to the Pyrenees in the Ariege, Midi-Pyrenees.

The debate over the reintroduction of bears to the Pyrenees has been simmering for many years, but has just been reignited by a government minister insisting that program is going to continue.  For many years, ecologists and environmentalists have tried to reintroduce bears to the Pyrenees Mountains, but have continually come up against opposition from locals and farmers.

Tell us what you think in our blog on the reintroduction of Pyrenean bears.

One hundred years ago, the bears were present in most of the high valleys of the Pyrenees, but by the 1980’s they had almost been wiped out by hunting.  The bears decline has also been linked to the loss of habitat due to human activity.  Areas that are supposed to be protected are poorly maintained, with gates left unlocked and signs either removed or just in poor state of repair.  This allows vehicles and tourists, amongst others, to enter areas that should be safe havens for the bears.

In 2004, one of the last female brown bears in the mountains was shot by boar hunters, amid outrage from environmentalists.  The bear’s cub fled, but nature wardens do not believe it would have survived without its mother as it was quite young.  With this death, it is believed there were only fourteen bears left in the wild at that time.

Local farmers oppose the reintroduction of bears as they claim their sheep stocks will be hit and the local population fear that the bears will attack humans.  Environmentalist’s point out that the bears are omnivores, eating a 75% vegetarian diet supplemented by small rodents and animal carcasses they find.  They may very rarely take a sheep, but due to the bears low population, this will not amount to many.

This debate has been on-going for many years and will rage for many years to come.  What do you think?  

Post a response in our blog on the reintroduction of Pyrenean bears.

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