Corredores oso - CORRIDORS FOR CANTABRIAN BROWN BEAR CONSERVATION LIFE07 NAT/E/000735

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1 Corredores oso - CORRIDORS FOR CANTABRIAN BROWN BEAR CONSERVATION LIFE07 NAT/E/ Project description Environmental issues Beneficiaries Administrative data Read more Contact details: Project Manager: Fernando BALLESTEROS Tel: Fax: fop@fundacionosopardo.org Project description: Background The Cantabrian brown bear is a population of Eurasian brown bears (Ursus arctos arctos) living in the Cantabrian Mountains in northern Spain. Once found throughout most of the Iberian Peninsula, brown bear populations were increasingly restricted and reduced because of habitat degradation and fragmentation, poaching and poisoning, low social acceptance and low genetic variability. A Conservation Action Plan for the Eurasian brown bear was approved by the European Commission in 2000, and most of the bear distribution areas are now part of the Natura 2000 network. The demographic trend has been positive in the last decade, partly due to various conservation and dissemination projects and actions. Nevertheless, the viability of the Cantabrian brown bear population is still precarious. It is listed as critically endangered in the IUCN European Mammal Assessment and is catalogued as in danger of extinction in the Spanish Red List. Bear numbers in Spain were recently estimated at about individuals, distributed in just two main sites. Furthermore, the distribution range of the largest sub-population is steadily narrowing, especially in the crucial reproduction area of Leitariegos Corridor. Interconnectivity of the two Spanish sub-populations is particularly important from a genetic perspective. They are connected by a 50km-wide

2 inter-population corridor, which is in an acceptable conservation state. However, the corridor is only sporadically used by the bears because their ability to cross it is hindered by obstacles such as roads, railways and a ski resort. Objectives The corredores oso project aimed to contribute to the present and future recovery of the brown bear in the Cantabrian Mountains by improving habitats in areas considered ecological corridors for bears. The project targeted two particular bear corridors: 1. The Leitariegos corridor - used as a breeding ground for the western population 2. The inter-population corridor used for movement between the two sub-populations To deliver improved conditions, the project planned to focus on inter-related activities: Specific habitat enhancement and management actions Reducing threats, such as illegal snares and poisoning Improving the social climate for bears, particularly by supporting local councils and the public living in the inter-population corridor area to undertake bear conservation and habitat management/enhancement measures. A major specific objective was to improve connectivity of the two population areas, serving both to reduce the fragmentation risks for the western population of brown bear and increase the genetic diversity of inter-connected sub-populations. Results The 'Corredores oso' project has successfully improved the social and environmental conditions for the recovery of brown bear populations in the Cantabrian Mountains of northern Spain. It has also contributed to the conservation and management of eight Natura 2000 sites. The project importantly promoted the compatibility of bear conservation with economic activities. The project was able to create a positive social and political atmosphere by reaching out directly to local stakeholders. It conducted interviews, information meetings and educational activities with local groups, including schools. It furthermore developed specific collaboration agreements with local authorities and co-operative actions with hunting societies, farmers and beekeepers. This co-operation showed improved understanding that bear conservation can be compatible with human activities. The project improved environmental conditions for the bears through the purchase of nearly 90 ha of estates and woodlands in the Leitariegos corridor and habitat enhancement through plantation of more than cherry and chestnut trees to increase food availability. This provided new areas of suitable habitat next to the existing bear territories. It successfully applied principles of ecological connectivity to reduce risks of fragmentation within and between the

3 two populations. Important outcomes of these activities included reductions in illegal traps and poaching, which remain the main threat to the conservation of bears. A field patrol formed of two local inhabitants was also created, which provided improved bear-presence data. Although it is not possible to see major changes in the bear populations during the lifetime of the project, sighting data did find evidence of bears using the inter-population corridor at least for feeding and resting. The identification of 21 females with cubs was also particularly encouraging. The project has hopefully paved the way for sustainable land management in co-operation with key local stakeholders that should help bear populations in the long-term. It has set solid ground for the integration of bear conservation principles into the policy making of local councils in the inter-population corridor. A management plan was also produced, which can act as a "pilot plan" for the management of rural mountainous areas in Spain. A Handbook of Good Practice in corridor management can additionally support similar efforts for large mammals elsewhere. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section). Environmental issues addressed: Themes Species - Mammals Biodiversity issues - Ecological coherence Keywords endangered species animal corridor management plan mountainous area Target EU Legislation Nature protection and Biodiversity Directive 92/43 - Conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora- Habitats Directiv... Target species Ursus arctos

4 Natura 2000 sites SPA ES Fuentes del Narcea y del Ibias SCI ES ALTO SIL SCI ES Peña Ubiña SCI ES VALLE DE SAN EMILIANO SCI ES MONTAÑA CENTRAL DE LEÓN SCI ES Aller-Lena SCI ES Valgrande Beneficiaries: Coordinator Type of organisation Description Partners Fundación Oso Pardo NGO-Foundation The Fundación Oso Pardo (FOP) Brown Bear Foundation is an NGO that was set up in It aims to contribute to the conservation of the Cantabrian brown bear (Ursus arctos) by improving knowledge of the species, its habitat and cultural context, and implementing practical actions to enhance the species population. The FOP's geographical scope is the Cantabrian Range, in northern Spain, although other areas of endangered bear populations are also targeted, such as the Pyrenees. FOP s projects are usually supported by regional and national authorities. None Administrative data: Project reference LIFE07 NAT/E/ Duration 01-JAN-2009 to 31-DEC Total budget 1,100, EU contribution 825, Project location Cantabria(España)

5 Read more: Project web site Project's website (ES) Publication: After-LIFE Title: After LIFE Conservation Plan/Plan de Conservation Plan conservación After LIFE Year: 2012 Editor: Fundación Oso Pardo No of pages: 14 Publication: Guidelines-Manual Title: "Manual de caza en zonas oseras de Castilla y León - Corredor interpoblacional Norte de León y Palencia" (1.7 MB) Author: Fundación Oso Pardo y Consejería de Fomento y Medi Year: 2010 Editor: Fundación Oso Pardo No of pages: 18 Publication: Guidelines-Manual Title: "Manual de buenas prácticas para la gestión de corredores oseros en la Cordillera Cantábrica" (5.2 MB!) Author: Fernando Ballesteros et al Year: 2012 Editor: Fundación Oso Pardo No of pages: 214 Publication: Layman report Title: Layman report Year: 2011 Editor: Fundación Oso Pardo No of pages: 8 Publication: Research findings Title: "Osas: El comportamiento de las osas y sus crías en la Cordillera Cantábrica" ( KB) Author: PALOMERO G., BALLESTEROS F., BLANCO J.C., et al. Year: 2011 Editor: Fundación Oso Pardo, Fundación Biodiversidad No of pages: 172 Publication: Technical report Title: Informe Final Técnico - Versión resumída (with English executive summary) No of pages: 32 Project description Environmental issues Beneficiaries Administrative data Read more