Buffering Problem Bears After Reintroduction
Due to habit loss and overhunting, brown bear populations became locally extinct in many parts of North America and Europe in the 19th and 20th centuries. In recent years, population numbers have begun to increase as a result of concentrated conservation efforts. These include bear reintroduction projects that attempt to reestablish bear populations in places that were once part of their historic ranges.
This paper, published in the Journal for Nature Conservation, evaluates the success of Life Ursus, a project that translocated 10 bears from Slovenia to the Province of Trento in the Southern Alps of Italy in 1999. The authors used a variety of data obtained by themselves and others, including telemetry data from radio tracking collars, sightings and tracking records, reports on bear damage and removal, and interviews with local residents. They analyzed outcomes in terms of both the reintroduction area in relation to population growth and human-bear conflict. They found that the project successfully increased the bear population, which was calculated to be a minimum of 47 individuals with a growth rate of 15.6% in 2012. Additionally, population density, dispersal of young males, and reproductive potential of Trentino bears was consistent with those from other bear populations in Europe.
The authors also found that while damages to beehives and livestock increased with population growth, considerable damage was caused by a few individuals. Additionally, one attack was reported in which a person suffered minor injuries, and several non-contact threatening situations were reported. A large majority of these incidents were also caused by a small number of bears, three of whom were removed from the area and two of whom were illegally killed. Unfortunately, the authors note that due in large part to the presence of a few problem bears, “public opinion has shifted from a major acceptance of the bear population at the beginning of the project, to an opposition to their presence.” They warn that, as the bear population is expected to reach 60-94 individuals by 2017, “a proper management of problem bears should be considered a key factor for the restoration and improvement of the social acceptance of this species.”