Brown bears recover in northern Spain with tourism's help
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Conservationists in Asturias, Spain, worked to revive the Cantabrian brown bear population, which once dwindled to around 60 individuals.
In the late 1980s, villagers near Pola de Somiedo reported seeing a mother bear missing a leg and her cubs, suggesting the species was nearing extinction in that area. The establishment of Somiedo natural park in 1988 provided a protected habitat for the bears. Through conservation efforts and careful management, the population has increased.
Nature guide Luis Frechilla estimates the current bear population exceeds 500, though they remain classified as endangered. Currently, the bears need to reach a population of 1,000 before their status changes. Controlled nature tourism now allows visitors to observe the bears in Somiedo natural park, contributing to their continued recovery. The increasing number of bears makes sightings more common for visitors to the region.
