The brown bear population in the Pyrenees reached 76 individuals with 13 new bear cubs.According to the Bear Cross-Border Monitoring Group (GSTOP) in the Pyrenees, which in 2022 is taking an inventory of conservation and monitoring actions for this species in Catalonia, Aragon and Navarra, and France and Andorra.
The number of bears living in the Pyrenees continues to increase, according to the annual count of plantigrades by this group of representatives of regional and national governments. It went from 68 to 69 copies in 2020 and from 70 to 74 copies in 2021.
According to experts, when it comes to sex, There are currently 39 females and 35 males plus two unidentified sexes.
Of the 76 specimens recorded, 39 (51.5%) were adults, 24 (31.5%) were small adults, and 13 (17%) were bear cubs of the year, of which 6 were female, 5 were male and 2 of them are unknown. sex.
The geographic area where the brown bear in the Pyrenees is found includes: An area of 5,700 square kilometers, 800 less than 2021 and 2,500 less than 2020.
According to biologists, this reduction in bear coverage is due to the absence of any samples with satellite tracking.
Regarding the number of births, the technicians confirmed: 13 new calves were born from eight different females, the third highest number recorded after 2020 and 2021.
Specifically, the breeding females are: ‘Bambou’ (two cubs) in Vall d’Aran; ‘Aran’ (two teenagers) in Vall d’Aran; Boavi (a bear cub) in Pallars Sobirà; Pallars Sobirà and in France ‘Plume’ (one); ‘Callisto’ (one) in France; ‘Gaia’ (two puppies) in France; ‘Reglisse’ (two) in France; and ‘New18-11’ (two) in France.
According to experts, new births were from six different men, “which means An important exchange of genetic information begins between the breeding individuals of the population.
A total of 128 bear cubs from 71 litters were born in the Pyrenees between 1996 and 2022, but most died.
In 2022, the monitoring group confirmed the deaths of six specimens, counting specimens with evidence of death or no symptoms for two years.
Of the 16 puppies born in 2021, 11 (68.75%) survived their first year and were identified in 2022.
GSTOP also agreed to change the terminology of plantigrades because some of them are named with two lab codes and that is confusing.
As of now, all specimens that are or are part of the current Pyrenean population since 1996 have a code consisting of a letter (E, F or D, male, female or unknown) and a three-digit number. depending on their age and seniority. For example, the female Ziva, the first bear born in 1996, is F001, and the male cub born in 2020 is M138.