Pyrenees brown bear population grows despite inbreeding
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The French Biodiversity Office detected 16 bear cubs in the Pyrenees mountains this year, indicating continued reproduction among the brown bear population.
Observers identified at least two new litters in the central Pyrenees, one of two main bear habitats alongside Béarn. Cameras automatically recorded a mother bear and her three cubs near Melles in Haute-Garonne, France on July 22, and researchers also spotted bears with cubs at Pic du Gar and Fos, also in Haute-Garonne.
Alain Reynes, director of the Pays de l’ours-Adet association, noted the positive trend, stating that the continuing reproduction confirms the Pyrenees as suitable bear territory despite ongoing inbreeding. The bear population in the Pyrenees has steadily increased to around 130 individuals since conservationists began releasing Slovenian bears thirty years ago to bolster the local population.
