The Pyrenees Brown Bear Population Update
The brown bear population in the Pyrenees now numbers 76 individuals, including 13 new bear cubs. This figure comes from the Bear Cross-Border Monitoring Group GSTOP, which in 2022 is compiling an inventory of conservation and monitoring actions for the species across Catalonia, Aragon, Navarra, France, and Andorra. [Citation: GSTOP monitoring initiative]
The annual plantigrade count conducted by GSTOP indicates a steady increase in the Pyrenean bear population. After rising from 68 to 69 individuals in 2020 and then from 70 to 74 in 2021, the count continues to show growth in 2022. [Citation: GSTOP population assessments]
Sex distribution for the 76 bears tallies at 39 females and 35 males, with two individuals of unknown sex. This snapshot helps guide conservation strategies and genetic management across the cross-border range. [Citation: GSTOP demographic data]
Of the 76 bears recorded, 39 individuals (51.5 percent) are adults, 24 (31.5 percent) are subadults, and 13 (17 percent) are cubs born this year. Among the cubs, six are female, five are male, and two have unidentified sex. These numbers provide insight into reproductive success and population structure in the Pyrenees. [Citation: GSTOP breeding records]
The geographic scope of bear presence covers roughly 5,700 square kilometers in the Pyrenees, a territory that is 800 square kilometers smaller than in 2021 and 2,500 square kilometers smaller than in 2020. The contraction is linked to the absence of satellite-tracking samples rather than immediate animal loss, according to biologists. [Citation: GSTOP geographic assessment]
Regarding births, technicians confirm that 13 new calves were born to eight different females in 2022, marking the third-highest annual birth count observed since 2020 and 2021. This signals continued reproductive vitality within the population. [Citation: GSTOP birth records]
In terms of direct notes from the field, a caption for the photographed brown bear reads: European Press. [Citation: Photographic record]
Specifically, the breeding females identified include Bambou with two cubs in Vall d’Aran, Aran with two juveniles in Vall d’Aran, Boavi with one cub in Pallars Sobirà, plus breeding individuals in Pallars Sobirà and in France named Plume with one cub, Callisto with one cub in France, Gaia with two puppies in France, Reglisse with two cubs in France, and New18-11 with two cubs in France. These named individuals illustrate the cross-border nature of the population’s genetics and dispersal. [Citation: GSTOP breeding records]
Experts note that the new births came from six different sires, indicating an important exchange of genetic information among breeding bears across the Pyrenees. This genetic mixing helps sustain population health and resilience. [Citation: GSTOP genetic observations]
A broader view shows that 128 bear cubs have been born from 71 litters in the Pyrenees between 1996 and 2022, though a large share did not survive. Such mortality figures emphasize the ongoing challenges in bear conservation and habitat management in the region. [Citation: GSTOP long-term data]
During 2022, GSTOP confirmed the deaths of six individuals, including those with evidence of mortality or lacking signs of life for two consecutive years. This mortality data is essential for understanding population dynamics and the effectiveness of protections. [Citation: GSTOP mortality records]
Among cubs born in 2021, 11 out of 16 survived their first year and were identified again in 2022, yielding a survival rate of 68.75 percent for those infants. This metric helps gauge juvenile survival in the cross-border environment. [Citation: GSTOP juvenile survivorship]
To improve clarity and communication, GSTOP agreed to revise the terminology used for plantigrades, replacing older naming conventions that used two lab codes and could be confusing for researchers and the public. The updated system assigns a code to each bear that begins with a letter indicating sex and a three-digit number reflecting age and seniority. For example, Ziva, the first female born in 1996, is coded F001, while a male cub born in 2020 is M138. This standardized coding supports consistent tracking across regions and languages. [Citation: GSTOP taxonomy update]