The Cantabrian brown bear has long symbolized much of northern Spain, especially in Asturias and Cantabria. While the creature’s majesty is undeniable, the reasons for its status as a cultural emblem go beyond appearance. The species faced a grim near-extinction, prompting its inclusion on protected-species lists in 1973. Back then, it clung to life in the Cantabrian Mountains with as few as about 60 individuals split across two distant populations. Efforts began in earnest, and today the situation looks very different.
Recent monitoring places the population around 375 bears, a sixfold increase from the past. The Pyrenees also show signs of growth, albeit at a slower pace. Conservation work—driven by environmental groups, government agencies, and private partners—has proven effective, yet climate change now introduces new obstacles that require urgent attention.
The Cantabrian brown bear population has risen from about 60 to 375 over roughly five decades.
From the Oso Pardo Foundation, established in 1992, the focus three decades ago centered on social acceptance, reducing poaching, and safeguarding habitats. The best news came when the species moved out of the critically endangered category.
The rise in bear numbers has helped transform the Cantabrian Mountains into a living example of successful conservation, though challenges remain.
The success rests on a string of small victories. In earlier decades, bears often fell to traps, poison baits, or gunfire. The protection plan instituted by the Ministry of Ecological Transition in September 2019 emphasized stronger anti-poaching efforts, including patrols dedicated to monitoring and safeguarding bears. The plan also cautions that poaching and related mortalities still occur and must be prevented.
Expand the protected area
Nearly the entire Cantabrian bear range is part of the Natura 2000 network, making conservation an institutional priority for many years. Strategic measures were designed to ensure bears have access to food and habitat, while experts urge a careful review of borders to accommodate growing offspring beyond current limits. The core issue is clear: expanding protections can reduce mortality, but it must be balanced with practical land-use considerations for local communities and economic activities.
The challenge lies in reduced surveillance in peripheral zones, which could lead to higher mortality in the medium term. Additionally, the expanded areas may shift compensation economics, such as beekeeper losses from bear activity, into new zones and require new adaptation from local industries.
Effective social acceptance remains central to ongoing conservation, and rural communities are a key partner in reaching conservation goals. The bear has become an economic driver for parts of the Cantabrian region, attracting visitors who hope to glimpse these magnificent animals in spring and summer.
The bear as an economic engine in tourist regions
In the Pyrenees, brown bears on both sides of the border are continually increasing, though their populations are smaller than in the Cantabrian region. Counts show 60 individuals in 2020, 74 in 2021, and 76 in 2022, with more cubs observed recently, signaling hopeful growth.
Interacting with people
The growing bear presence increases the likelihood of human-bear encounters, particularly as tourism rebounds following pandemic restrictions. Bears remain wary of people: they detect humans through keen senses and generally avoid contact. Encounters are more common in winter as climate patterns shift and bears adjust their behavior. Though hibernation patterns are changing, many animals still attempt to minimize conflict with humans.
Nature tourism increasingly highlights the bears as a draw, underscoring the need for responsible behavior and awareness. When confronted by a bear, the recommended approach is to back away slowly, avoid sudden movements, and never run. If a bear stands upright, it is usually a sign of curiosity, not aggression. Mothers with cubs must never be approached.
A recent assessment noted that the presence of brown bears can contribute positively to forest ecosystems through seed dispersal and habitat regeneration, strengthening forest patches within the distribution area.
Conversations about the future emphasize that social acceptance is essential for long-term success. The aim is coexistence that benefits rural communities, tourism, and conservation alike, while mitigating potential conflicts with beehives and fruit trees. The dialogue continues with stakeholders about preventing damage and ensuring timely compensation where needed.
Experts continue to explore how climate change may reshape the Cantabrian brown bear’s habitat. Life-project findings point to changes in activity patterns, altered food sources, and the risk that some tree species and fruiting plants may shift or decline at certain altitudes. Fire risk remains a pressing concern, necessitating preventive management alongside firefighting capacity.
Even as the bear population edges toward greater stability, the goal remains clear: support wildlife corridors, maintain robust surveillance, and secure social consent from rural communities to ensure the long-term resilience of Cantabrian bears. Coexistence is framed as a shared objective, not a concession, and many see the bear as a vital ally in forest health and climate resilience.
With ongoing monitoring and adaptive strategies, the region continues to balance conservation needs with the livelihoods and preferences of local residents. The overarching message is simple: protect, respect, and coexist, for the Cantabrian brown bear contributes to a healthier landscape and a richer natural heritage for future generations.