10.13 Do the Pyrenees Have Enough Room and the Right
Habitats for Large Predators?
Sainz de la Maza and Nunes (2001) studied the habitat preferences of the brown
bear in Catalonia using a Geographic Information System (GIS) based on radio
tracking data. The results show that the bear selected an altitude between 800 and
1800 m a.s.l., a north to north-east orientation, a slope of 30°–60°, beech and fir and
humid oak forests, a distance from villages between 1 and 2.5 km, a distance from
roads between 0.5 m and 2 km, and a distance from forest trails of between 0.1 and
1 km. The results showed that trophic and refuge interest areas accounted for 60–
70% of the territory. Martin et al. (2012) compared habitat suitability between the
Cantabrian and Pyrenees Mountains and found good transposition of the Cantabrian
model to the Pyrenees. However, there was a lack of balance between food
resources for bears (scarce at high altitudes) and human presence (higher at low
altitudes) when comparing both areas. Ruiz-Olmo et al. (in press) compared habitat
selection between native bears (disappeared) and the reintroduced bears and made a
model of distribution and habitat quality. The brown bear population has increased
by between 9 and 15% in recent years, which means that bears have adapted to a
new habitat, with high quality. The fragmented habitat has large non-available
areas. The reintroduced bear population uses the same habitat as the extinct native
bears. The current situation is that the number of bears is low and the maximum
capacity of the environment in regard to holding brown bears has not been reached.
10.14 Conclusion
Large carnivores play a significant role in the ecosystem. However, to defend the
presence of large carnivores, coexistence between nature and society must be
achieved by providing information, raising awareness and implementing effective
measures. We must understand that the first response of stockbreeders, livestock
owners and shepherds might be “no bears”, but it is important to keep the conversation open.
Stockbreeders have to change their mindset and the way they work. They must
become true stockbreeders. Coexistence will only be possible if preventive measures are in place and attacks and damages are very scarce. These measures will
avoid social unrest and keep the calm. We must apply common sense and go back
to traditional methods (for instance, sheep keepers and protection dogs) focusing on
today’s technology. As a result of many years of livestock breeding without
predators, the habit of not protecting herds has become a common practice.
The last question is why should the brown bear, wolf and lynx be reintroduced
into the Pyrenees? The answer has many different components. Axe predators are
endangered and protected species in Catalonia, Spain and the European Union
(legal component). They are evolutionary responses to adaptation to different
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S. Palazón
Habitats for Large Predators?
Sainz de la Maza and Nunes (2001) studied the habitat preferences of the brown
bear in Catalonia using a Geographic Information System (GIS) based on radio
tracking data. The results show that the bear selected an altitude between 800 and
1800 m a.s.l., a north to north-east orientation, a slope of 30°–60°, beech and fir and
humid oak forests, a distance from villages between 1 and 2.5 km, a distance from
roads between 0.5 m and 2 km, and a distance from forest trails of between 0.1 and
1 km. The results showed that trophic and refuge interest areas accounted for 60–
70% of the territory. Martin et al. (2012) compared habitat suitability between the
Cantabrian and Pyrenees Mountains and found good transposition of the Cantabrian
model to the Pyrenees. However, there was a lack of balance between food
resources for bears (scarce at high altitudes) and human presence (higher at low
altitudes) when comparing both areas. Ruiz-Olmo et al. (in press) compared habitat
selection between native bears (disappeared) and the reintroduced bears and made a
model of distribution and habitat quality. The brown bear population has increased
by between 9 and 15% in recent years, which means that bears have adapted to a
new habitat, with high quality. The fragmented habitat has large non-available
areas. The reintroduced bear population uses the same habitat as the extinct native
bears. The current situation is that the number of bears is low and the maximum
capacity of the environment in regard to holding brown bears has not been reached.
10.14 Conclusion
Large carnivores play a significant role in the ecosystem. However, to defend the
presence of large carnivores, coexistence between nature and society must be
achieved by providing information, raising awareness and implementing effective
measures. We must understand that the first response of stockbreeders, livestock
owners and shepherds might be “no bears”, but it is important to keep the conversation open.
Stockbreeders have to change their mindset and the way they work. They must
become true stockbreeders. Coexistence will only be possible if preventive measures are in place and attacks and damages are very scarce. These measures will
avoid social unrest and keep the calm. We must apply common sense and go back
to traditional methods (for instance, sheep keepers and protection dogs) focusing on
today’s technology. As a result of many years of livestock breeding without
predators, the habit of not protecting herds has become a common practice.
The last question is why should the brown bear, wolf and lynx be reintroduced
into the Pyrenees? The answer has many different components. Axe predators are
endangered and protected species in Catalonia, Spain and the European Union
(legal component). They are evolutionary responses to adaptation to different
244
S. Palazón