During 1995-96, we surveyed members of organizations and governmental agencies to construct an overview of brown bear (Ursus arctos) management in Austria, Italy, Norway, Romania, Slovenia, and Sweden. From the results, we summarized the extent of brown bear damage in each country, identified which organizations were involved in bear management, and which duties they fulfilled. We conducted 94 interviews using a standardized questionnaire. Bear damage in most countries was <20% of all reported wildlife damage and totaled <US $300,000/year (except Norway, averages based on data between 1984-95). Most bear damage incidents involved sheep and beehives and were concentrated in July and August for sheep and August-October for beehives. All 6 countries offered damage compensation programs, but satisfaction with such programs varied among countries. Four of 6 countries offered financial incentives for taking preventive measures such as protecting beehives with electric fencing. Brown bear management in Europe involved both private and governmental agencies with varying degrees of cooperation. A conservation management approach, practiced in Romania, Sweden, and Southern Slovenia, was characterized by economic use of the bear population. These countries had viable bear populations. Romania and Southern Slovenia fed bears to increase the huntable population, which we viewed as a utilitarian management scheme. In contrast, a preservationist approach was observed in Norway, Italy, Northern Slovenia, and Austria, where bear numbers were low; this approach included yearlong protection, low population numbers, and no feeding of bears. Dealing with problem bears in Europe was a difficult issue because the elimination of even a single bear threatens small populations. A successful bear management program in Europe seemed to include good communication and cooperation between involved agencies, stakeholders, and the public, a fast, adequate compensation program, and efficient problem bear management.
- Volume 11
- Issue
- Pages 163-177
- Publication Date 1 January 1999
- DOI
- File Size 507.53 KB
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