A record number of brown bears were born in the Pyrenees

The number of bears in the Pyrenees mountains, which divide France and Spain, has increased to 64 individuals, including 16 cubs.

This fact gives ecologists hope for the revival of the brown bear population in the Pyrenees.

"This is a record - never before have nine cubs been found in the Pyrenees since we started studying the bear population," said the association Pays de l'Ours (Bear Country) and Adet et Ferus.

At the beginning of the 20th century, there were about 150 brown bears in the French Pyrenees along the Spanish border, but by the 1990s almost all of them had been killed by hunters.

France began their reintroduction in 1996. Then, first, two female bears were settled in the Pyrenees, and a year later, a male was settled in the same place. After 25 years, they multiplied to 64 individuals. But scientists say that about 50 actively reproducing bears with sufficient genetic diversity are needed for population stability.

Only local farmers - shepherds - are dissatisfied with the breeding of bears. Their herds began to thin out noticeably.

Since the government resumed the introduction of brown bears from Slovenia in 2018, there have been fierce protests, often with the support of local officials.

However, bear recovery advocates say the threat to livestock is diminishing. Last year, bears made a total of 369 attacks, as a result of which 636 animals were killed or injured. Whereas in 2019, there were twice as many victims of bear attacks — 1200 sheep.