Brown bears were reintroduced in the Pyrenees in the ‘90s. Since then, bear population has increased in number and distribution, fostering human-wildlife conflicts in areas where the species was absent for more than a century. Here we evaluated people’s perception toward the bear reintroduction  as well as the role of public administration in managing the damages caused by bears. We conclude that local administration should create the appropriate social atmosphere for the coexistence of humans and brown bears through information and risk prevention campaigns, compensation of damages, and  promoting the public valorisation of the species. These efforts to mitigate human-bear conflicts may promote a positive perception of local people towards this emblematic mammal.

This research has recently been issued in Galemys, More information here:https://secem.es/galemys/galemys-36-2024-a1