environments (scientific component). They perform a crucial ecological function
and are keystone species in the ecosystem (ecological component). They are
umbrella species in the sense that the results of protecting the brown bear and wolf
include habitat protection and conservation of smaller species and invertebrates
(conservation component). They are unrepeatable emblematic species of the
Pyrenees (aesthetic component). They can revitalise the Pyrenees economy
enhancing the nature tourism (economic component). These species also have the
right to live in the ecosystems where they have always lived. Their disappearance
was caused by human pressure from hunting, poaching and poison, and we are
collectively responsible for that (ethical component).
The current situation in the Pyrenees is very different than it was 50–100 years
ago. The damage caused by large carnivores does not represent an economic disaster, and compensation has been paid to cover all actual, proven cases of damage.
The presence of the brown bear and wolf has not limited traditional activities in the
Pyrenees and is not expected to do so in the future. There is enough room in the
Pyrenees for the local human population and self-sufficient large predator populations to live together. These answers confirm that conserving, protecting and promoting large carnivore populations are positive for ecosystems and society.
Bears are similar to humans. They are generalist omnivores, intelligent and boast
binocular sight (Rockwell 1991). They are similar in height when they stand
up. Wolves have many of the features of human hunter-harvesters. They are
members of a pack, hunt cooperatively and defend their territory (López 1978). The
intrinsic recognition of the value of wildlife is on the rise, included the importance
of large predators.
Acknowledgements I would like to express my thanks to the institutions and public administrations in France, Andorra, Navarra, Aragon and Catalonia on the reintroduction of the brown
bear in the Pyrenees. I have worked with them since 1996. I would also like to thank the
institutions and public administrations on wolf monitoring in France and Catalonia, with which I
have worked since 2000.
References
Aguilar-Amat JB (1924) Dades per un catàleg de mamífers de Catalunya. Trab Mus Cienc Nat
Barcelona 7(4):3–51
Alonso M, Pando A, Toldrà L (1993) El oso pardo en Cataluña. In: Naves J, Palomero G (eds) El
oso pardo en España. Colección Técnica, Icona. Madrid
Arribas O (2004) Fauna y paisaje de los Pirineos en la era glaciar. Lynx Edicions
Bautista C, Naves J, Revilla E, Fernández N, Albrecht J, Schart AK, Rigg R, Karamanlidis AA,
Jerina K, Huber D, Palazón S, Kont R, Ciucci P, Groff C, Dutsov A, Seijas J, Quenette PY,
Olszanska A, Shkvyria M, Adamec M, Ozolins J, Jonozovic M, Selva N (2016) Patterns and
correlates of claims for brown bear damages on a continental scale. J Appl Ecology. doi:10.
1111/1365-2664.12708
Beaufort F (1965) Lynx des Pyrénées, Felis. L. Lynx lynx. Mammalia 29:589–601
Binkley D, Moore MM, Romme WH, Brown PM (2006) Was Aldo Leopold right about the
Kaibab deer herd? Ecosystems 9:227–241. doi:10.1007/s10021-005-0100-z
10 The Importance of Reintroducing Large Carnivores …
245
and are keystone species in the ecosystem (ecological component). They are
umbrella species in the sense that the results of protecting the brown bear and wolf
include habitat protection and conservation of smaller species and invertebrates
(conservation component). They are unrepeatable emblematic species of the
Pyrenees (aesthetic component). They can revitalise the Pyrenees economy
enhancing the nature tourism (economic component). These species also have the
right to live in the ecosystems where they have always lived. Their disappearance
was caused by human pressure from hunting, poaching and poison, and we are
collectively responsible for that (ethical component).
The current situation in the Pyrenees is very different than it was 50–100 years
ago. The damage caused by large carnivores does not represent an economic disaster, and compensation has been paid to cover all actual, proven cases of damage.
The presence of the brown bear and wolf has not limited traditional activities in the
Pyrenees and is not expected to do so in the future. There is enough room in the
Pyrenees for the local human population and self-sufficient large predator populations to live together. These answers confirm that conserving, protecting and promoting large carnivore populations are positive for ecosystems and society.
Bears are similar to humans. They are generalist omnivores, intelligent and boast
binocular sight (Rockwell 1991). They are similar in height when they stand
up. Wolves have many of the features of human hunter-harvesters. They are
members of a pack, hunt cooperatively and defend their territory (López 1978). The
intrinsic recognition of the value of wildlife is on the rise, included the importance
of large predators.
Acknowledgements I would like to express my thanks to the institutions and public administrations in France, Andorra, Navarra, Aragon and Catalonia on the reintroduction of the brown
bear in the Pyrenees. I have worked with them since 1996. I would also like to thank the
institutions and public administrations on wolf monitoring in France and Catalonia, with which I
have worked since 2000.
References
Aguilar-Amat JB (1924) Dades per un catàleg de mamífers de Catalunya. Trab Mus Cienc Nat
Barcelona 7(4):3–51
Alonso M, Pando A, Toldrà L (1993) El oso pardo en Cataluña. In: Naves J, Palomero G (eds) El
oso pardo en España. Colección Técnica, Icona. Madrid
Arribas O (2004) Fauna y paisaje de los Pirineos en la era glaciar. Lynx Edicions
Bautista C, Naves J, Revilla E, Fernández N, Albrecht J, Schart AK, Rigg R, Karamanlidis AA,
Jerina K, Huber D, Palazón S, Kont R, Ciucci P, Groff C, Dutsov A, Seijas J, Quenette PY,
Olszanska A, Shkvyria M, Adamec M, Ozolins J, Jonozovic M, Selva N (2016) Patterns and
correlates of claims for brown bear damages on a continental scale. J Appl Ecology. doi:10.
1111/1365-2664.12708
Beaufort F (1965) Lynx des Pyrénées, Felis. L. Lynx lynx. Mammalia 29:589–601
Binkley D, Moore MM, Romme WH, Brown PM (2006) Was Aldo Leopold right about the
Kaibab deer herd? Ecosystems 9:227–241. doi:10.1007/s10021-005-0100-z
10 The Importance of Reintroducing Large Carnivores …
245