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Damages Attributed to the Brown Bear in Spain: The Case of Asturias

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An annual average of 77 claims for damages allegedly caused by brown bears (Ursus arctos) totaling 7,159,229 pesetas ($71,592 US) were reported in the 2 year period of 1989-90 in Spain. Of these claims, 97% were from the Cantabrian Mountains and 3% were from the Pyrenees, reflecting the different sizes of the 2 bear populations. Analysis of the 1,035 claims in Asturias (Cantabrian Mountains, northwest Spain) between 1973 and 1990 revealed more claims concerning cattle and horses than other livestock. Damage complaints peaked in September. Besides the local availability of anthropic food resources, interannual variations in the spacial distribution of claims appear to be due to particular and local bear population trends. These trends should be closely monitored because of the degree of threat to these populations. The bear recovery plans in Spain should consider compensating for damages caused by this species, as well as the damage problem caused by wolves (Canis lupus) and wild boar (Sus scrofa) because they indirectly affect brown bear conservation.

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