However, in Europe, attacks are scarce (Naves et al. 2015): one hunter was killed in
Sweden in 2004, one person in Finland in 2006 (Ordiz 2014) and three attacks with
three injured people have occurred in the Cantabrian Mountains (N Spain) during
the last 25 years. There are extreme cases of wolf attacks in Russia. In close
encounters with bears, people were perceived as a danger by the bear. People have
to avoid dangerous situations by applying simple measures when walk or work in a
forest with bears. In the Pyrenees, several encounters have occurred in last 20 years
between humans and bears. In most of them, the bear slowly ran away to get away
from people after it was warned of their presence. These encounters have mainly
happened with bear teams and photographers. In 1997, the female Melba
encountered a French hunter to defend her 3-year-old cubs. She was shot to death.
In 2004, the female Cannelle faced a French hunter to protect her 1-year-old cub
(Cannellito) from hunting dogs. She was also shot to death. In 2004, when the male
Papillon was found dead (due to natural causes), the subsequent autopsy revealed
the presence of 50 pellets inside his body. Hunters have also shot the male bears
Boutxy and Kouki in France several times. In 2007, the female Francka was hit and
killed by a military van on a French highway. In 2008, the female Hvala attacked a
hunter when she was running away from a wild boar being hunted with dogs; she
was pregnant. One hunter, who was over age 70, suffered superficial wounds in his
arm, a small bite in his boot and fell and broke his leg. The government paid a
compensation after the trial.
10.12 Potential Economic Benefits Generated
by the Presence of Large Carnivores
One of the benefits that could be produced by large carnivores in the Pyrenees is
tourism. There are two forms of potential tourism involving large carnivores:
hunting tourism and nature tourism or ecotourism. Hunting is only possible when
the species boasts a large, self-sustainable population and when studies indicate that
an annual culling will not affect long-term species population. Ecotourism can be
implemented fully, but clear roles must be defined to ensure the bear population is
affected as little as possible.
10.12.1 Hunting Tourism
According to Annex II of the Directive Habitats (EU), the brown bear is a protected
species. According to Annexes IV and V, the wolf and the European lynx can be
hunted in accordance with the laws of each European country. In Spain, wolf
hunting is permitted only under certain circumstances. However, there is currently
considerable controversy among hunters, stockbreeders, the public administration
242
S. Palazón
Sweden in 2004, one person in Finland in 2006 (Ordiz 2014) and three attacks with
three injured people have occurred in the Cantabrian Mountains (N Spain) during
the last 25 years. There are extreme cases of wolf attacks in Russia. In close
encounters with bears, people were perceived as a danger by the bear. People have
to avoid dangerous situations by applying simple measures when walk or work in a
forest with bears. In the Pyrenees, several encounters have occurred in last 20 years
between humans and bears. In most of them, the bear slowly ran away to get away
from people after it was warned of their presence. These encounters have mainly
happened with bear teams and photographers. In 1997, the female Melba
encountered a French hunter to defend her 3-year-old cubs. She was shot to death.
In 2004, the female Cannelle faced a French hunter to protect her 1-year-old cub
(Cannellito) from hunting dogs. She was also shot to death. In 2004, when the male
Papillon was found dead (due to natural causes), the subsequent autopsy revealed
the presence of 50 pellets inside his body. Hunters have also shot the male bears
Boutxy and Kouki in France several times. In 2007, the female Francka was hit and
killed by a military van on a French highway. In 2008, the female Hvala attacked a
hunter when she was running away from a wild boar being hunted with dogs; she
was pregnant. One hunter, who was over age 70, suffered superficial wounds in his
arm, a small bite in his boot and fell and broke his leg. The government paid a
compensation after the trial.
10.12 Potential Economic Benefits Generated
by the Presence of Large Carnivores
One of the benefits that could be produced by large carnivores in the Pyrenees is
tourism. There are two forms of potential tourism involving large carnivores:
hunting tourism and nature tourism or ecotourism. Hunting is only possible when
the species boasts a large, self-sustainable population and when studies indicate that
an annual culling will not affect long-term species population. Ecotourism can be
implemented fully, but clear roles must be defined to ensure the bear population is
affected as little as possible.
10.12.1 Hunting Tourism
According to Annex II of the Directive Habitats (EU), the brown bear is a protected
species. According to Annexes IV and V, the wolf and the European lynx can be
hunted in accordance with the laws of each European country. In Spain, wolf
hunting is permitted only under certain circumstances. However, there is currently
considerable controversy among hunters, stockbreeders, the public administration
242
S. Palazón