Key actions for Brown Bear populations in Europe

DRAFT

(Ver. Nov 10, 2013)

Prepared for DG Environment, European Commission, by Istituto Ecologia Applicata, Rome under contract no. 07.0307/2013/654446/SER/B3 "Support to the European Commission's policy on large carnivores under the Habitat Directive - Phase Two”, with contributions from the Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe (SSC/IUCN)

Rome, November 2013

Index

Part I: Bear populations in Europe 3 Part II: Objectives 6 Part III: Actions per populations 7 3.1 Alpine population 7 3.2 Apennine population 15 3.3 East Balkan population 28 3.4 Baltic population 34 3.5 Cantabrian Mountains population 40 3.6 Carpathian population 49 3.7 Dinara-Pindos population 60 3.8 Finnish-Karelian population 69 3.9 Pyrenees Mountains population 71 3.10 Scandinavian population 79

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PART I – Bear populations in Europe

1.1. Populations

In Europe, the brown bears occur in 22 countries. Based on the existing data on distribution, as well as a range of geographic, ecological, social and political factors these can be clustered into 10 populations: Scandinavian, Finnish-Karelian, Baltic, Carpathian, Dinaric-Pindos, Eastern Balkan, Alpine, Abruzzo, Cantabrian, and Pyrenean (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Bear populations in Europe

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1.2. Status

The estimated total number of brown bears in Europe seems to be in the range of 18’000 individuals. Based on reported and updated census data, the largest population is the Carpathian population (>8’000 bears), followed by the Scandinavian and Dinaric-Pindos populations (> 3400 and 3040 bears, respectively). The other populations are much smaller ranging from several hundred (e.g. Baltic ~700, Cantabrian ~200) to less than hundred (e.g. Alps ~37,~22 bears). Compared to the survey of that included data up to 2005 (Bear Online Information System for Europe, BOIS) the Scandinavian, Dinaric-Pindos population, Cantabrian, and Pyrenean population have recorded a clear increase. The other populations remained stable. The decrease in the Eastern Balkan population is likely due to new monitoring techniques. All population ranges have been relatively stable or slightly expanding. In the Alpine population the loss of the central Austrian segment was counterbalanced by the expansion of the north Italian segment in Trentino.

Monitoring in a number of countries/populations is based on genetic methods that use non-invasively collected DNA (from scats or hairs): Scandinavia, Italy, Austria, Spain, France, Greece, and Slovenia. In other countries these genetic methods are used to compliment other methods: e.g. Croatia, Slovakia, Poland, as well as on counts at feeding sites, snow tracking and telemetry. In the countries without genetics and telemetry, absolute estimates are based on much weaker grounds. The small populations are generally subject to more intense and costly monitoring methods trying to count individuals, although the most closely monitored large population is in Scandinavia. In hunted populations harvest data is used to identify population trends.

Name of population Most recent size estimate Trend 2006- IUCN Red List assessment (2010, 2011 or 2012) 2011 Scandinavia Norway: 105+ Increase Least concern Sweden: 3300 TOTAL: 3405 Finnish-Karelian Norway: 46 Increase Least concern (in connection with Finland: 1900 Russia west of 35°E) (not includingRussia west of 35°E)

Baltic Estonia: 700 Increase Least concern (in connection with Latvia: 12 the Russian oblasts of (not including Belarus and Lenningrad,Novgorod, Pskov, Tver, the Russian oblasts of Lenningrad,. Novgorod, Smolensk, Bryansk, Moscow, Pskov, Tver, Kalinigrad, Kaluzh, Tula, Kursk, Smolensk,Bryansk, Moscow, Belgorod & Ore) Kalinigrad, Kaluzh,Tula, Kursk, Belgorod & Ore)

Carpathian Romania: 6000 Stable Near threatened (including and not Poland: 147 including Ukraine) (not including Ukraine) Serbia North: 8 Slovakia: 1940 TOTAL: 8095 Dinaric-Pindos Slovenia: 450 Increase Vulnerable Croatia: 1000

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Bosnia & Herzegovina: 550 Montenegro: 270 ”The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”: 180 Albania: 180 Serbia: 60 Greece: 350 TOTAL: 3040 Alpine Italia (Trentino): 35+ Stable Critically endangered Italy (Friaul): <12 Switzerland: 1 Austrian: ~5 Slovenia: 5-10 TOTAL: 45-50 Eastern Balkans Bulgaria: 550 Stable or Vulnerable Greece: ~50 decrease? Serbia: 8 TOTAL: ~600 Abruzzo TOTAL: 40 Stable Critically endangered

Cantabrian TOTAL: 200 Increase Critically endangered

Pyrenean Spain: 25 Increase Critically endangered France: 19 TOTAL: 25

1.3. Threats

The smallest bear populations are critically endangered. However, the current prevailing public interest, most management actions, and financial backup, seem to presently secure at least their short to midterm survival. Almost half of the populations are currently growing, but to guarantee long-term survival, all present and potential future threats have to be taken in account.

The most relevant threats were identified as: habitat loss due to infrastructure development, disturbance, low acceptance, poor management structures, intrinsic factors, accidental mortality and persecution. Most threats were expected to become slightly more important in the future.

1.4. Conflicts

Bears are large, opportunistic and omnivorous carnivores with a wide range of biological needs during their life cycle, which may bring them into conflict with humans. Some conflict types threaten human interests (e.g. property loss like livestock depredation or attacks on humans), some threaten bears (e.g. habitat fragmentation and den disturbance) and some are mutually problematic (e.g. traffic accidents).

Most countries pay damage compensations either from the state budget or from funds contributed by interest groups, mostly by hunters. The rough economic cost (based on reported compensation only) is in the magnitude of 2.5-3.0 M€ per year. Livestock losses are the most important damage type, but the variety of damages are much wider than for wolverines, lynx, and wolves and include damages to bee hives, orchards, crops, trees, and even vehicles and buildings. More than half off all money is paid for compensations in Norway (1.5 M€), followed by 321’000 € in the Cantabrian Mountains, and 252’000 €in Slovenia. Other countries pay between 6000 € (Croatia) and 141’000 € (Greece) annually. The amounts

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paid are not at all proportional to the number of bears in the population. Costs per bear / year are generally higher in smaller populations than in larger ones: e.g. 12’666 € in Norway, 6114 € in the Pyrenees, 3445 € in Abruzzo, 1605 € in the Cantabrian Mountains, 1371 € in the Italian Alps, 555 € in Slovenia, 511 € in Greece, 102 € in Poland, 45 € in Bulgaria, 15 € in Estonia& Latvia, 8 € in Slovakia, 6.0 € in Croatia, and 3.6 € in Sweden. It should be noted that there is no data to show that countries which pay more have better acceptance of their bears.

PART II - Objectives

Objectives of this list of actions

• To develop a road map for the conservation and management of the bear populations in Europe in coexistence with local stakeholders for the next 5 years. • To provide the authorities responsible for the conservation and management of bears in the range countries for a strategic planning tool for relevant future activities in the next 5 years. • To improve collaboration and relationship amongst relevant stakeholders for bear conservation and management in Europe by integrating them into the process of planning and implement Actions/activities. • To raise awareness amongst authorities and the public for the most urgent needs for bear conservation and management in Europe.

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PART III – Actions per population

Note : Level of urgency: (scale of 1-5: 1 = high urgency, 3 = medium urgency, 5 = low urgency) Benefit: (scale of 1-5 = 0-20, 20-40, 40-60, 60-80, 80- 100%; how much this action is expected to improve the level of population conservation and/or coexistence with local stakeholders)

3.1. Alpine population

List of actions : 1. Make problem bears management in the Italian Alps more effective by updating protocols and tools 2. Communication campaign that counter false information – specific work with media 3. Change removal tools from taking to “captivity” to “shooting/harvest” in the Italian Alps 4. To improve and extend prevention of bear access to garbage 5. Economic use of bears: promoting sustainable ecotourism 6. Advance monitoring of genetic status of Alpine bear population: diversity, inbreeding, gene flow, uniqueness and improve data exchange 7. Mitigation measures to reduce bear car accident fatalities 8. To strengthen transnational cooperation all around the Alps population 9. To make damage prevention on domestic animals (livestock, bees) more effective 10. Create green bridges on hot spot migration corridors with known barriers 11. Help connection between central Alps and Dinaric nucleus releasing at least 4 females in the triangle area Italia - Slovenia - Austria

ACTION 1 Title of the Action: Make problem bears management in the Italian Alps more effective by updating protocols and tools Objective: Reduce heavy negative effects of problem bears on both human properties and therefore human attitudes. Improve acceptance and consequently reduce the risk of poaching. Description of activities: Revision and update of action plans for bear management: - adding “damaging bears” at the list of “problem bears” that can be removed, when damages are too high despite all aversive and prevention activities - allowing faster decisions in the frame of simplified procedures involving both central (Ministry) and local (Regions) authorities, according to EU regulations Expected results: - reducing damages - reducing bad human attitude - selection of bear behaviours - reducing poaching - medium and long term benefits on the bear population - development of effective common management tools

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Responsibility for Provincia Autonoma di Trento, Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano, implementation: Regione Lombardia, Regione Veneto, Regione Autonoma Friuli Venezia Giulia, Ministero dell’Ambiente, Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale. Timing of the activities: 2014 Level of urgency: 1 Cost and potential Limited costs. funding sources: Funding: local and central authorities directly involved in the management plan update Benefit: 5

ACTION 2 Title of the Action: Communication campaign that counter false information – specific work with media Objective: Improve the attitude and the way to inform about bears (TV, radio, newspapers). To reach a better knowledge of the bear and, therefore, a better human attitude toward bears. Description of activities: - meetings ad hoc for the media - training of specific media correspondents - development of an information clear, reliable, prompt - simplify and short up the internal procedures regulating the communication - specific training for bear personnel Expected results: - less false information around - a more balanced approach to the bear issues (damages, fear, attitudes) - a better knowledge of all bear issues - media correspondents paying positive attention on such issues - a highest professional level for bear operators - a better attitude of people toward bear - improved G.O.’s image Responsibility for All G.O. responsible for bear management in the Alps implementation: Timing of the activities: On going Level of urgency: 3

Cost and potential Costs hard to predict in this phase funding sources: Benefit: 4

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ACTION 3 Title of the Action: Change removal tools from taking to “captivity” to “shooting/harvest” in the Italian Alps Objective: - To convince public opinion, administrators and politicians that shooting bears that have to be removed can be the only option in the mid and long term. - To make the removal of problem bears easier, in the mid and long terms. Description of activities: Legal and administrative tools are already ok. - What is necessary is a sensitization campaign (communication) leading the public opinion, and therefore politicians, to understand why it is better to shoot problem bears (explaining different advantages) instead of keeping them in captivity lifelong. Expected results: - A different attitude of public opinion and politicians toward this tool, allowing to change the present situation (shooting not even taken into account) - Reduced management costs Responsibility for All G.O. responsible for bear management in the Italian Alps implementation: Timing of the activities: No strict timing needed. As soon as possible. Level of urgency: 3 Cost and potential Costs hard to predict in this phase. Funding should come from G.O. funding sources: directly involved. As underlined above cost of management of problem bears should reduce with this option Benefit: 3

ACTION 4 Title of the Action: To improve and extend prevention of bear access to garbage Objective: Reduce number of bears that approach human settlements because of garbage attraction. Reduce therefore occasions of humans-bears conflicts. Description of activities: It is necessary to gradually extend the utilisation of bear proof bins all over the area permanently occupied by bears (already promoted in some parts of the core area in Trentino). The new/modified bins have to be compatible with the machinery and equipment already working in the bear area. It is necessary to establish a priorities grid (i.e. areas with bear reproduction – areas with bears permanently roaming but without females – areas with sporadic bear presence – areas hosting just young dispersing animals) and start working in the hot-spots. The actions will be addressed almost completely in peripheral areas (mountain huts, touristic resorts in the back country, isolated houses or settlements, small peripheral hamlets), while inside villages and cities bears should not be admitted anyway Development of a specific campaign aimed to educate people do not leave garbage in the field

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Expected results: Less bears around human settlements because of the reduced availability of garbage Lower number of problem bears Higher positive attitude toward bears Lower chances of human-bear conflicts and fatalities Responsibility for All G.O. responsible for bear management implementation: Timing of the activities: As soon as possible but gradually, keeping in mind the different priority areas degree and that it will take lot of time to reach rewarding results. To keep monitored in the long term. Level of urgency: 3 Cost and potential Costs very hard to predict in this phase, depending on lot of unknown funding sources: factors. Funding should come from G.O. directly involved Benefit: 4

ACTION 5 Title of the Action: Economic use of bears: promoting sustainable ecotourism Objective: Quantify the economic benefits of bear presence, in terms of incomes for the interested areas. This data are almost completely missing today, all over the Alps. Tourism (and ecotourism) is the main economic factor in the Alps economy; we have to let know/convince stakeholders that bears can be a business, as already happen in other parts of Europe and of the rest of the world. Description of activities: - Promote social and economic studies to show with hard data that bear can be a business - To promote the use of the bear “brand” or “logo” as a quality label for local products. - To promote the use of bear as a symbol, a guarantee, of habitat quality Expected results: - An increased acceptance in local stakeholders, especially in those directly interested in bear conflicts for damages (beekeepers, shepherds, farmers). Their products should gain value because of the bear logo. - Lower risk/rate of poaching - A wider awareness on the positive effects of bear presence Responsibility for All G.O. responsible for bear management, if directly responsible for implementation: touristic policies too. Tourism offices/agencies Stakeholders N.G.O. may also help Timing of the activities: No strict timing needed. It’s important to start then it should work on alone Level of urgency: 3 Cost and potential Costs very hard to predict in this phase, depending on lot of unknown funding sources: factors. Funding should come from G.O. and touristic agencies directly involved Benefit: 5

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ACTION 6 Title of the Action: Advance monitoring of genetic status of Alpine bear population: diversity, inbreeding, gene flow, uniqueness and improve data exchange Objective: - Carefully monitoring of the genetic status of the small isolated population of the central Alps. - Verify possible connection with the Dinaric population. - Eventually promote further restocking releases, if needed and if compatible with the human acceptance toward such extreme tool (see action 11) Description of activities: - Improve the present genetic monitoring standards (already good and on almost all the areas occupied by bears) - Promote data and tools/methodologies exchange, allowing all different labs involved to be part of the same net - To ensure political will and funding to keep sample collection and analysis running in the long term Expected results: Good knowledge of bear population status, distribution, density, threats and trends. Good knowledge should allow good management decision Better knowledge of bear ecology in the Alps Responsibility for All G.O. responsible for bear management implementation: Timing of the activities: Urgent (but there is a good work already going on). To keep alive in the long term. Level of urgency: 1 Cost and potential Costs hard to predict in this phase funding sources: Benefit: 4

ACTION 7 Title of the Action: Mitigation measures to reduce bear car accident fatalities Objective: Reduce bear mortality, considering the small number of bears roaming in the Alps and the high accident rate recorded so far. Such actions will then guarantee a higher human safety, not only against bear accidents, but all wildlife (wild ungulates first) Description of activities: Public awareness campaign Data base implementation Placement of ad hoc lightening signs in the hot spots Evaluate possible operations aimed to create underpasses or bridges Expected results: Lower bear mortality rates Higher human tolerance with bears Higher road safety Responsibility for All G.O. responsible for bear management implementation: Timing of the activities: Not very urgent, but needed. Even more in the mid-long term when more bears could be roaming in the Alps Level of urgency: 3

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Cost and potential Costs very hard to predict in this phase, depending on lot of unknown funding sources: factors. Funding should come from G.O. of course with possible help of UE (i.e. Life projects) Benefit: 3

ACTION 8 Title of the Action: To strengthen transnational cooperation all around the Alps population Objective: To achieve a real population level management, in a bear area presently managed by 5 different countries and more than 10 regions/landers Description of activities: - Promote a common approach on all the different management activities - Establish and keep alive an Alpine Bear Group - To ensure a stable data exchange on both genetic and standard levels - To promote the development of common tools (i.e. the common action plan concerning problem bears management) Expected results: - Improved management at the technical level - Less chances of misunderstanding between different countries - Consequent lower bear mortality - Faster resolution of problems involving different countries Responsibility for National and local authorities responsible for bear management in their implementation: countries Timing of the activities: 2014 to define rules and activities. To keep alive in the long term Level of urgency: 1 Cost and potential Costs very hard to predict in this phase, depending on lot of unknown funding sources: factors Benefit: 5

ACTION 9 Title of the Action: To make damage prevention on domestic animals (livestock, bees) more effective Objective: - Reduce the damages rate - Make damage prevention more reliable - Improve, then, the human attitude Description of activities: Lots of studies and experiences showed what the best available tools are (electric fences, dogs, others...). Lots of fences and dogs have been distributed to improve the maintenance and the correct use of such materials, by strict controls and inputs to the beneficiaries. Expected results: - Lower damaging rate - Highest satisfaction in the stakeholders - Higher human tolerance - Lower risk of poaching - Lower public costs Responsibility for All G.O. responsible for bear management implementation: Timing of the activities: Urgent. To be implemented until good results have been achieved

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Level of urgency: 2 Cost and potential Costs hard to predict in this phase, depending on lot of unknown factors funding sources: Benefit: 4

ACTION 10 Title of the Action: Create green bridges on hot spot migration corridors with known barriers Objective: - Improve connection within the population and with other populations - Improve genetic fitness - Reduce bear mortality - Reduce accidents and improve men’s safety Description of activities: - Radio-telemetry monitoring - Study of bears movements within the alpine area, to spot main corridors and rules that drive bears through the Alps - Feasibility studies to evaluate the building of mitigation infrastructures in the hot-spots - Building of green bridges or other infrastructures. Expected results: - Improved connection within the population and with further bordering populations - Improved genetic fitness - Reduced bear mortality - Reduced accidents and improved men’s safety - Better knowledge of bear ecology in the Alps Responsibility for All G.O. responsible for bear management implementation: Timing of the activities: Five years for data collection and creation of a map. Implementation of possible green bridges depending on resources availability Level of urgency: 4 Cost and potential Costs hard to predict in this phase, depending on lot of unknown factors funding sources: Benefit: 3

ACTION 11 Title of the Action: Help connection between central Alps and Dinaric nucleus releasing at least 4 females in the triangle area Italia - Slovenia - Austria Objective: - Improve connection within the two population - Improve genetic fitness of central Alps population Description of activities: - Monitoring of the triangle area (ITA, SLO, AUT) to spot possible presence of females with cubs in the next five years (2014-2018) - Development of an ad-hoc communication campaign - Public survey to check human attitude toward the idea to release few females; to be done before the beginning of the project

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- Release of at least 4 young females if the monitoring above mentioned will show no evidences of females in the target area in the period 2014- 2018 Expected results: - Improved connection within the two populations - Improved genetic fitness - Accomplishment of a further step toward the bear recolonisation of the eastern-central Alps Responsibility for All G.O. responsible for bear management in that area implementation: Timing of the activities: Five years of strict (genetic) monitoring of the area (2014-2018) Releases the females of bear starting from 2019 in max a couple of years Level of urgency: 3 Cost and potential Costs hard to predict in this phase, depending on lot of unknown factors funding sources: Benefit: 5

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3.2 Apennine population

List of actions: 1. Effective control program of free-ranging dogs in protected areas within current and potential bear range 2. Ad hoc norms for the sanitary control of domestic animals (i.e., livestock and pets) concerning diseases known to potentially depress reproduction and survival of bears 3. Task force for the repression of poaching and the implementation of a human-caused mortality reduction program 4. Conservation priority to critical bear habitats over multiple uses (livestock grazing, hunting, tourism, etc.) in protected areas 5. Proactive habitat management to ensure long term availability of key natural foods to bears within protected areas 6. Effective sanitation of anthropogenic foods potentially available to bears 7. Permanent monitoring of the bear population size, structure and trend as a tool to evaluate and guide implemented conservation strategies 8. Technical bear conservation committee to act as a management authority to design, guide, assist and evaluate the implementation of conservation measures 9. Enrolment of bear management specialists by local and central wildlife conservation institutional authorities 10. Enhancement of functional connectivity between protected areas within the core and the peripheral bear range 11. Professional network for enhanced diagnostics of bear mortality causes

ACTION 1 Title of the Action: Effective control program of free-ranging dogs in protected areas within current and potential bear range Objective: To reduce by at least 80% of the current levels the number of owned free-ranging and stray dogs within protected areas (i.e., regional and national parks) in the bear range, through enhanced implementation of the existing law (L.N. 281/91), within the next 2 years. Description of activities: A group of experts assists park authorities to develop ad hoc regulations to be adopted by all regional and national parks to strictly regulate use and ownership of all forms of dogs (e.g., working dogs, hunting dogs, truffle dogs, pets, etc.). Part-time contracts with private veterinarians are annually renewed to tattoo and PIT-mark all owned dogs by seasonal or annual residents within protected areas. Specific arrangements are made with local veterinary services to capture free- ranging dogs and with humane-societies to host or for the adoption of captured, not owned dogs. Expected results: • A group of experts is nominated by the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Health, with contribution from accredited biologists and veterinarians and managers from protected areas. • Ad hoc regulations are drafted from the experts, discussed and approved in their final version by park authorities, including their official approval by individual Township administrations

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• Approved ad hoc regulations are publicly disseminated and strictly implemented by park authorities • Tattooing and PIT-marking service is made available for free to resident dog owners in each protected area • Specific arrangements are signed with local veterinary service for the periodic capture of free-ranging dogs • Specific arrangements are made with humane-societies for the adoption of captured dogs without owner • The number of free-ranging dogs is permanently reduced by at least 80% Responsibility for Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Health, Regional and National implementation: Park authorities Timing of the activities: Months 1-6: group of experts assigned, ad hoc regulations are drafted Months 7-12: regulations are discussed and approved by park authorities; contacts with private vets, public veterinary services and humane-societies are initiated Months 13-14: regulations are publicly disseminated and contracts with private vets are signed by park authorities Months 15-24: specific arrangements are signed with veterinary services and humane-societies and free-ranging dogs monitoring is established as a routine activity Level of urgency: 3 Cost and potential 20-25.000 € (Ministry of Environment, Protected areas, NGOs, private funding sources: donors) Benefit: 2

ACTION 2 Title of the Action: Ad hoc norms for the sanitary control of domestic animals (i.e., livestock and pets) concerning diseases known to potentially depress reproduction and survival of bears Objective: In 2 years, all livestock and pets (dogs and cats), seasonally or permanently living within protected areas, positive for any of the 7 priority diseases indicated to be present and harmful to bears in the Apennines (cf. Fenati et al. 2010) are not allowed or promptly removed from the area Description of activities: Park authorities, in accordance with the Ministry of Health and the Regional sanitary authority, formally adopt and implement ad hoc norms and regulations to: (1) facilitate the implementation of sanitary guidelines recently approved within the UE-Life Natura project “ARCTOS”, including diseases whose surveillance and control is mandatory by the public sanitary service (i.e., Brucella abortus, Aujeszky disease, Leptospira interrogans, Toxoplasmosis), and those currently not considered mandatory (i.e., CDV, CAV-1, CPV); (2) periodically update epidemiological and risk analyses (cf. Fenati et al. 2010, 2012); (3) routinely apply a surveillance epidemiological program, and

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(4) make timely and effective arrangements for the disposal of infected domestic animals. Expected results: • Guidelines produced within the UE-Life Natura project “Arctos” are implemented by all protected areas within current and potential bear range; as a consequence: • a ‘bear epidemiological monitoring team’ is permanently hosted by the Ministry of Health with representatives from protected areas and regional and local sanitary services • infected domestic animals within protected areas within the bear range are promptly removed and risk of contagion is effectively reduced Responsibility for Authorities of protected areas, Ministry of Health, Regional Sanitary implementation: Services Timing of the activities: Months 1-6: guidelines drafted within the UE-Life Natura project are approved by authorities of protected areas Months 7-12: protected areas make arrangements with Ministry of Health and Regional sanitary services to implement surveillance and control of priority diseases, including the establishment of a permanent bear epidemiological monitoring team Month 13-24: surveillance and control activities are permanently established and implemented Level of urgency: 1 Cost and potential 15.000 – 25.000 € (Protected areas, Ministry of Environment, Ministry funding sources: of Health, NGOs, private donors) Benefit: 5

ACTION 3 Title of the Action: Task force for the repression of poaching and the implementation of a human-caused mortality reduction program Objective: Within 1 year, risk of human-caused mortality in the core bear distribution is permanently reduced as indicated by levels of mortality at least 80% lower than current estimates (about 2.5 bears/year), and causes of direct anthropogenic mortality (e.g., poaching, poisoning, vehicle collisions) are effectively neutralized. Description of activities: A group of experts will be assigned the analysis and investigation of known (current and previous) human-caused bear fatalities, and to develop a strategy to reduce mortality risk through focused intervention to neutralize cause-specific mortality factors. The strategy will be discussed and approved by the Ministry of Environment, in accordance with protected areas and both Regional and Provincial authorities. According to actions and timing detailed by the approved strategy, the same authorities will ensure: (1) the establishment of a permanent task force, composed by Forestry Service personnel, to investigate and persecute effectively poaching and poisoning events; (2) effective control of vehicle traffic within the bear range to reduce chances of vehicles collision with bears; (3) effective control of other potentially harmful human activities to bears, should these be revealed by future bear fatalities.

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Expected results: • a group of experts is assigned, including bear and anti-poaching experts • a strategy to reduce the risk of human-caused mortality is drafted, discussed and approved by central and regional authorities • actions contemplated in the strategy are timely implemented, including the establishment of an anti-poaching task force • current levels of human-caused mortality are reduced by at least 80% within the next 2 years Responsibility for Ministry of the Environment, Regional government, Protected areas implementation: Timing of the activities: Months 1-3: expert group is established and a working schedule is approved Months 4-8: data on known bear mortality are acquired and functionally interpreted to develop a strategy to locally reduce the risk of human- caused mortality Months 9-12: draft of the strategy is discussed and approved by central and regional and local authorities Months 13-14: the anti-poaching task force is established and activated Months 15-24: the other interventions to reduce mortality risks are implemented Level of urgency: 1 Cost and potential 50.000 – 70.000 € (Ministry of Environment, Regional Government, funding sources: Protected areas, NGOs) Benefit: 5

ACTION 4 Title of the Action: Conservation priority to critical bear habitats over multiple uses (livestock grazing, hunting, tourism, etc.) in protected areas Objective: Seasonally critical bear habitats (i.e., comprising seasonal key resources) are identified within protected areas, in both the core and peripheral bear range, and appropriate management plans are approved by relevant authorities to ensure conservation priority over human activities. Description of activities: Using available data on resource use by bears, seasonal foraging and denning areas are identified and mapped through GIS modelling within the core and peripheral bear range. Such areas within protected areas are considered as conservation priority areas over multiple uses, and a management plan is accordingly drafted by park authorities to be discussed and approved by all relevant authorities (Ministry of the Environment, Regional and Provincial Governments, Townships). Indications by the management plan are implemented through active management and control of human activities such as livestock grazing, hunting and related activities, tourism, resource extraction, recreation). Expected results: • map of most critical feeding areas in spring, summer and fall • map of denning areas • management plan ensuring conservation priority to critical habitats over multiple uses in a seasonal basis

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• approval and implementation of management plan for critical habitats by relevant authorities Responsibility for Research Institutions (GIS modelling), Protected area authorities, implementation: Ministry of the Environment, Regional and Provincial Governments, local townships Timing of the activities: Months 1-6: development of GIS models Months 7-12: development of the management plan for critical habitats Months 13-18: discussion and approval of the management plan for critical habitats Months: 19-24: implementation of the management plan Level of urgency: 1 Cost and potential 50.000 – 70.000 € (Ministry of Environment, Protected areas, NGOs) funding sources: Benefit: 4

ACTION 5 Title of the Action: Proactive habitat management to ensure long term availability of key natural foods to bears within protected areas Objective: Availability and accessibility to natural foods to bears are maintained at current levels or enhanced in the long term range through active habitat management within the bear range Description of activities: Based on available data, timber-harvest plans are designed to account for sustained or enhanced productivity in the long term of both soft and hard mast species used by bears, and other habitat management interventions are also designed to enhance, where necessary, availability of other seasonally critical foods, such as insects (ants) in summer and succulent vegetation in spring. Such habitat interventions are discussed, approved and implemented by all relevant authorities within protected areas. Expected results: • technical guidelines for habitat management interventions aimed to maintain and enhance seasonal habitat productivity for bears • approval of such guidelines by all relevant authorities within protected areas in the bear range (core and peripheral), including timing in the medium and long term • implementation of habitat management interventions • sustained/enhanced long term habitat productivity for bears within protected areas Responsibility for Research/management institutions (technical guidelines); Ministry of implementation: Environment, Regional and Provincial Governments, local Townships (guidelines approval and implementation of habitat interventions) Timing of the activities: Months 1-6: development of technical guidelines by forestry and bear experts Months 7-12: discussion, review and approval of habitat management guidelines by relevant authorities within protected areas Months 13-24: implementation of habitat management interventions Level of urgency: 3

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Cost and potential 40.000 – 50.000 € (excluding habitat interventions) funding sources: National Parks of the bear range Benefit: 4

ACTION 6 Title of the Action: Effective sanitation of anthropogenic foods potentially available to bears Objective: Reduce accessibility to anthropogenic food by bears within and nearby human settlements, by 80% in the core and 50% in the peripheral range compared to current levels within the next 3 years Description of activities: A team of bear and sanitation experts draft technical guidelines to prevent accessibility of anthropogenic foods in bear range, to be formally submitted for approval to LCIE and the Ministry of the Environment. All anthropogenic foods potentially accessible to bears within human settlements, both in the core and peripheral range, are surveyed and inventoried by trained personnel. Sanitation measures are experimentally tested to evaluate their functionality and feasibility in 30% of most critical settlements for 2 years, and results are used to optimize their effectiveness for their implementation over all settlements in the entire core and most relevant (i.e., recent bear presence) peripheral range. Educational material will be produced and public meetings will be held in relevant settlements to facilitate implementation of sanitation measures in private households. Sanitation management will be monitored for 2 years to assess its effectiveness and allow adaptive improvements. Expected results: • a team of experts on bear biology and sanitation draft technical guidelines for sanitation of the bear range • inventory of all potential anthropogenic food sources within human settlements within the bear range • public awareness on management of habituated and/or conditioned bears is enhanced, as well as their willingness to reduce human-made foods accessibility to bears • sanitation is assessed on 30% of most critical human settlements within the bear range • sanitation interventions are optimized and applied over the entire bear range Responsibility for Ministry of the Environment, Regional and Provincial Governments, implementation: Protected areas authorities Timing of the activities: Months 1-3: team of experts is established and technical guidelines are drafted Months 4-5: technical guidelines are reviewed and approved by all relevant authorities Months: 6-7: local operators are trained for the survey and inventory of anthropogenic food sources within human settlements in the bear range Months 8-12: the inventory of anthropogenic food sources within human settlements is carried out

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Months 13-48: feasibility and efficacy of sanitation interventions is assessed in 30% of most critical settlements Months 48 onward: sanitation interventions are optimized and applied over the entire bear range Level of urgency: 1 Cost and potential 80.000 – 100.000 € (Ministry of Environment, Regional and Provincial funding sources: Government, Protected area authorities) Benefit: 4

ACTION 7 Title of the Action: Permanent monitoring of the bear population size, structure and trend as a tool to evaluate and guide implemented conservation strategies Objective: The bear population, both in the core and peripheral range, is efficiently monitored through sensible parameters (abundance, structure, productivity, occupancy) in order to assess the adequacy of current conservation measures over 3- to 5-year periods. Description of activities: By means of non-invasive sampling and direct observations of (marked and/or unmarked) bears, the number, the demographic composition, the reproductive performance and occupancy, as well as known mortality, will be assessed through time. An inter-regional team of bear and survey experts will be permanently established and coordinated by the Ministry of the Environment, and the team will produce technical guidelines for the long term monitoring of the bear population, both in the core and peripheral range, to be previously submitted for approval to LCIE and the Ministry of the Environment. Team components will also interact with operators working for Regional Governments and protected areas authorities to instruct them to run surveys and collect data on local bear demes. Data will be collected periodically as indicated in the technical guidelines, and promptly analysed and reported by the monitoring team to all relevant bear conservation authorities. Expected results: • a bear population monitoring team is appointed by the Ministry of the Environment • technical guidelines for the long term monitoring of the bear population and its range are drafted by the bear monitoring team • population monitoring is periodically carried out throughout the bear range by standard procedures and all data converge to a unique data base • after each survey, monitoring results are promptly reported by the bear population monitoring team and the Ministry of the Environment, along with the management authorities at the local scale, use such indications to adapt their conservation strategy. Responsibility for Ministry of the Environment, Research institutions, Regional and implementation: Provincial Governments, Protected areas Timing of the activities: Months 1-3: the bear monitoring team is appointed by the Ministry of Environment Months 4-6: the team drafts technical guidelines for the long-term monitoring of the bear population, and approve a final, peer-reviewed version

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Months 7-12: the team illustrated field protocols and instruct local operators Months 13-17 (June – October): monitoring is carried out every 3-5 years Months 18-24: monitoring data are analysed and reported by the monitoring team Months 25-30: conservation actions and strategy are reviewed and adapted accordingly Level of urgency: 1 Cost and potential 70.000 – 100.000 € for each survey funding sources: National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise Benefit: 4

ACTION 8 Title of the Action: Technical bear conservation committee to act as a management authority to design, guide, assist and evaluate the implementation of conservation measures Objective: Conservation actions originally provided by PATOM (Action Plan for the Apennine Bear; never implemented since its inception in 2010) are institutionally implemented and effectively coordinated across the Apennines within the next 2 years, through priority setting, effective implementation, and permanent evaluation of achieved results. Description of activities: A technical team of bear and conservation experts and managers is appointed by the Ministry of the Environment to design, guide, assist and assess the implementation of PATOM conservation measures, including review of single actions and priority setting. The European Commission, through LCIE and in close association with the Italian Ministry of the Environment, assists the team formation and structure and the evaluation of its annual working plans and reports (see below). Working in close association with bear specialists in central and local wildlife conservation authorities (see Action 9), the team will act as a fundamental support for the Ministry of the Environment, Regional governments and Protected areas to facilitate achievement of conservation goals as defined by single PATOM actions. Working proposals from the team will be annually approved by the Ministry of the Environment with support from LCIE, and the team will publicly disseminate annual reports to document conservation progress on an annual basis. Single authorities responsible for the practical implementation of conservation interventions (e.g., Regional and Provincial governments, Park authorities) will be annually evaluated in terms of their accountability by the Ministry of the Environment. Expected results: • the team of bear experts is officially appointed by the Ministry of the Environment, comprising at least 6-7 nationally and 2-3 internationally recognized experts, based on their accountability (i.e., CV); experts will be representative of research and academic institutions, central and local management authorities, and NGOs • PATOM actions are reviewed and detailed by the team review as to facilitate their effective implementation (i.e., correct identification of

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objectives, establishing priorities and actions, internal monitoring and external evaluation), and will be submitted for approval to the relevant institutional authorities • annual working proposals are submitted by the team to the Ministry of the Environment or other relevant authorities (e.g., Ministry of Health, Regional Governments, Park authorities), based on which the team progress and performance will be evaluated • the team publicly disseminate annual reports of the progress made toward conservation goals, and adaptive correction for the effective implementation of conservation actions is timely suggested to central and local management authorities Responsibility for Ministry of the Environment implementation: Timing of the activities: Months 1-4: experts are selected and their individual CV evaluated by an ad hoc committee with members from national and international Universities Months 5-6: the team is officially appointed and submits to the Ministry of the Environment the working plan for the first year Months 7-12: the team, working in close association with central and local bear conservation specialists (see Action 9), review single PATOM actions and goals and submit to PATOM authorities an updated and detailed version Months 13-14: the new PATOM version is officially approved by all relevant PATOM authorities; the team submit the first year report and the working plan for the second year Months 15-24: single PATOM actions are coordinated, implemented and evaluated according to methods, procedures and expected results as from descriptions of single PATOM actions. Level of urgency: 1 Cost and potential 50.000 €/year funding sources: Ministry of the Environment Benefit: 5

ACTION 9 Title of the Action: Enrolment of bear management specialists by local and central wildlife conservation institutional authorities Objective: Enhance efficacy and commitment of central (i.e., Ministry of the Environment, Regional Government) and local (i.e., Provincial Governments, Protected areas authorities) wildlife management authorities to implement, coordinate and evaluate bear conservation and management through the permanent and/or temporary hiring, within the next 2 years, of personnel (at least 1 per institution) with adequate skills and knowledge on bear biology entirely devoted to bear management and conservation Description of activities: Central (Ministry of the Environment, Regional Governments of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise) and local (Protected areas authorities) wildlife management authorities hire 1-2 bear experts each through permanent and/or temporary contracts, detailing specific expected

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results of their work according to the PATOM priorities and timing (see Action 8). Hired specialists in bear biology and management are entirely devoted to the effective implementation, coordination and evaluation of bear conservation actions and their performance is annually evaluated according to expected results, declared in annual working plan proposals, and progress reports on an annual basis. Central and local wildlife management administrations are required to publicly disseminate (web sites) their annual working plans (expected results) and progress reports. Expected results: • 1-2 bear specialists are permanently and/or temporarily hired full- time from central and local wildlife management authorities, and are entirely devoted to bear conservation and management • central and local wildlife management authorities annually adopt and publicly inform their own agenda and progress made on the implementation of bear conservation actions • timely implementation of conservation interventions is facilitated by single management authorities and their coordination is enhanced Responsibility for Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Health, Regional Government implementation: of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise Regions, Natural (3) and National Parks (3) authorities within bear range Timing of the activities: Months 1-6: interested authorities activate procedure for hiring bears specialists Months 6-12: bear specialists are hired and their working plans, preliminary drafted with inputs from the technical bear conservation committee (see Action 8) and according to specific PATOM actions, are submitted and approved Months 13-24: bear specialists coordinate their activities with the technical bear conservation committee and with bear specialists from other authorities, and their progress is annually reported within and outside the management authority they work, and accordingly evaluated based on the expected results Level of urgency: 1 Cost and potential 40.000 – 50.000 €/annual contract/bear specialist (Ministry of funding sources: Environment, Ministry of Health, Regional Governments, Protected areas authorities) Benefit: 5

ACTION 10 Title of the Action: Enhancement of functional connectivity between protected areas within the core and the peripheral bear range Objective: The functional linkage between the core and peripheral bear population across the central Apennines is evaluated within the next 2 years to provide management indications for the preservation of gene flow and to mitigate the effects of genetic drift Description of activities: A detailed GIS- and individual-based modelling, based on available GPS- locations on individual bears, and which contemplates environmental, ecological, behavioural and anthropogenic variables, is developed to accurately assess the degree of potential functional connectivity from

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the core to more peripheral areas of the bear range. Results are discussed and disseminated among relevant management authorities and management interventions are defined to maintain and/or restore permeability of linkage areas. Expected results: • a contract is made with research institutions for GIS modelling • GIS layers are made available from central and local management authorities • a GIS modelling proposal is submitted for approval to the technical bear conservation committee (see Action 8), to the Ministry of Environment and to LCIE for peer evaluation • a GIS model of functional connectivity across the Central Apennines is produced and its results are widely disseminated • Management implications by the functional connectivity model are discussed by the technical bear conservation committee and indications to relevant authorities are provided for their effective implementation • The Ministry of the Environment elicits implementation plans of management interventions from relevant authorities (Regional and Provincial Governments, Protected areas authorities), which are subsequently submitted for approval to the technical bear conservation committee Responsibility for Ministry of the Environment, Technical Bear Conservation Committee implementation: Timing of the activities: Month 1-2: selection and appointment of research institution for GIS modelling, and an inventory of available GIS layers and GPS-location data is made Months 3-5: submission and approval of a GIS-modelling proposal Months 5-12: GIS model development and its results are discussed with relevant authorities Months 13-15: TBCC provides suggestions for management interventions aimed to maintain and enhance functional connectivity Months 16-22: management plans targeting suggested management interventions to enhance connectivity are submitted to the Ministry of the Environment and TTBC by relevant authorities Months 23-24: management plans are discussed and approved by the Ministry of the Environment and TTBC Level of urgency: 3 Cost and potential 30.000 € funding sources: Ministry of the Environment Benefit: 4

ACTION 11 Title of the Action: Professional network for enhanced diagnostics of bear mortality causes Objective: To provide timely and reliable information concerning the causes of human-related bear mortality to management authorities, by reducing to no more than 10% the bear fatalities whose cause is unknown within the next 2 years

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Description of activities: Current levels of bear fatalities whose causes are unknown are unbearably high for the Apennine bear population, and this mostly relates to the lack of standardized protocols for the recovery, storage and necropsy of bears found dead, as well as to the lack of experts in bear necropsy and related analyses. National and international experts will be contacted, and a network with local veterinarians in relevant institutions will be developed with the aim to instruct them, facilitate practical experience, and develop standardized procedures and protocols. A network of national and international laboratories (e.g., for ballistic, virological, bacterial, parasitological and toxicological analyses) of recognized excellence will be activated for the timely analysis of samples extracted from bears found dead. Meanwhile all of the above is formalized and activated, all relevant authorities (Regional and Provincial Governments, Protected Areas) are asked by the Ministry of the Environment to designate at the national scale few veterinarians and their relative institutions of recognized skill and reliability for the necropsy of bears found dead. The Ministry of the Environment successively evaluate their proposal and formally appoint these structures, provided the ISPRA veterinary service oversees each necropsy. Results from reliable necropsies are timely transmitted to the task force for the reduction of human-caused mortality risk (see Action 3), and a comprehensive database is developed and maintained by the technical bear conservation committee (see Action 8). Expected results: • one or more laboratories of recognized excellence for bear necropsy and related analyses are appointed and financially supported by the Ministry of the Environment, through inputs from the ISPRA veterinary service, for the necropsy of bears found dead, pending the approval of a protocol detailing retrieval, storage and necropsy procedures • local wildlife management authorities, elicited by the Ministry of the Environment, refer to the above structures for the necropsies of bears found dead, and adopt of the most adequate procedures to retrieve, store and transport dead bears (see above) • a network of international laboratories of recognized excellence for the necropsy and related analyses of dead bears is activated by the Ministry of the Environment, supported by the ISPRA veterinary service, the technical bear conservation committee, and LCIE • the above network provides technical and educational support to acquire the practical skills necessary for reliable examination of bears found dead, as well as provides comments to procedures and protocols currently adopted • a comprehensive data base of bear fatalities and necropsy results is developed and managed by the Ministry of the Environment, and an effective communication flow is established with the relevant authorities to ensure the timely transmission of mortality causes, as to enhance both persecution and prevention actions aimed to reduce mortality risk at the local scale (see Action 3). Responsibility for Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Health implementation:

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Timing of the activities: Months 1-4: laboratories of recognized excellence for bear necropsy and related analyses at the national scale are appointed by the Ministry of the Environment, and a their procedures and protocols submitted for approval (ISPRA, TBCC, LCIE); Ministry of the Environment also activates the international network and develop and disseminate to relevant authorities a centralized data base of Apennine bear fatalities Months 5-6: local management authorities within the bear range formally recognize the above structure for future bear necropsies and adopt protocols and procedures for the retrieval, preservation and transport of bears found dead Months 7-12: the international network is launched through an international workshop on bear necropsy techniques and protocols; contacts between internationally recognized experts and national veterinarians are facilitated, and training necropsy sessions are held based on the availability of bears carcasses Months 13-24: a definitive protocol for the retrieval, preservation and analysis of bears found dead is approved by the Ministry of the Environment, pending inputs from ISPRA and LCIE; communication between the appointed veterinary structures and the task force for the reduction of human-cause mortality risk is formally established Level of urgency: 1 Cost and potential 100.000 – 200.000 € funding sources: Ministry of Environment and Regione Abruzzo Benefit: 5

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3.3 East Balkan population

List of actions: 1. Establish a monitoring system for the bear population on population level 2. Implement monitoring of population trends, genetic drift and inbreeding on the survival of the population 3. Implement measures to improve the acceptance of the brown bear among the local people 4. Prevent bear access to garbage 5. Giving value to bears: explain and teach the economic benefits of bears 6. Develop and implement a population-level management plan 7. Evaluate the effect of artificial feeding on bears 8. Produce, approve and implement Guidelines for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for new infrastructures in bear range 9. Identify and protect priority conservation areas of critical bear habitats with multiple uses, with special attention on the functional connectivity between population fragments of Stara Planina and Rilo- Rhodopean segment, as well as Eastern Serbia – northwest Bulgaria 10. Apply standardized depredation prevention programs

ACTION 1 Title of the Action: Establish a monitoring system for the bear population on population level Objective Establishment of a population-wide, standardised monitoring system allowing continuous assessment of the population Description of activities: Establish a common transboundary monitoring system using the same standards and synchronised in time. The monitoring of the bear population is expected to include size, structure and trend analyses, spatial distribution and viability analysis, etc. to be used as a tool to evaluate and guide implemented conservation strategies Expected results: - unifying monitoring methods/results - unifying approaches to population trend/numbers estimation - unifying knowledge and experience for monitoring Responsibility for GOs of countries involved implementation: Timing of the activities: Establishing of system: 3 years (some national monitoring schemes already in place). Operating of system: continuous Level of urgency: 1 Cost and potential Costs: € ~10 000 per year per country funding sources: Funding source: National wildlife authorities Transboundary cooperation, standardisation and common analyses and reporting cause insignificant additional costs Benefit: 5

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ACTION 2 Title of the Action: Implement monitoring of population trends, genetic drift and inbreeding on the survival of the population Objective To establish standardised protocols and common procedure on the genetic sampling and analyses in order to monitor the effect of population trends, genetic drift and inbreeding on the survival of the population Description of activities: Fragmented populations are sensitive to genetic impoverishment through inbreeding and need to be genetically monitored. Certain parts of East Balkan population are more or less isolated which calls upon this action. There is a need for different activities for genetic monitoring between Bulgaria, Greece and Serbia: - Standardize the protocols for genetic sampling (from dead and alive animals) and analyses (e.g. microsatellites). - Define the research institutes responsible for the examinations and analyses. - Establish an efficient system to collect, analyze and store genetic samples. - Establish a shared database on genetic data. - Agree on a common interpretation of the data and on threshold values Expected results: - Standardized protocols for genetic sampling, analyses and storing; - Assessment and continuous survey of the development of conclusive genetic parameters (e.g. allele frequency, heterozygosity, relatedness); - More reliable data on population size, trend and cause of change (positive or negative) Responsibility for GOs of countries involved (Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia) implementation: Scientific organizations and conservation NGOs involved in collection / interpretation of data Timing of the activities: Establishing of system: 2years (some activities are already in place). Operating of system: Continuous Level of urgency: 2 Cost and potential Costs: at least €10,000 per year per countries. funding sources: Funding sources: National conservation agencies, available conservation funds Benefit: 3

ACTION 3 Title of the Action: Implement measures to improve the acceptance of the brown bear among the local people Objective: To develop and implement actions to improve the acceptance of the brown bear among the local people Description of activities: Low acceptance (due to increased number of damages and attacks on people) is one of the most important problems for the bear conservation in one of the important bear areas in Bulgaria – Rhodopi mountain. This area holds most of the East Balkan bear population and is bordering

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Greece, which also affects the bear conservation in this country. Thus actions towards improvement of the bear acceptance are highly needed. Main activities will include combination between some of the other actions described below as well as public information and other campaigns and involvement of the local people and stakeholders in local decisions concerning the bear Expected results: - Improved local acceptance - local involvement in decision-making Responsibility for Ministry of Environment and Waters, Bulgaria implementation: Conservation NGOs Timing of the activities: On going Level of urgency: 1 Cost and potential Costs: € 5-10,000 per year. funding sources: Funding sources: National GO funds and other sources Benefit: 5

ACTION 4 Title of the Action: Prevent bear access to garbage Objective: Effective sanitation of anthropogenic foods potentially available to bears, to improve and extend prevention of bear access to garbage Description of activities: The availability of open access garbage damps are threat both to bears (habituation to anthropogenic source of food) and humans (direct threat of injury/death). Main activities are targeted towards setting up preventive measures to secure the garbage damps in bear areas through bear-proof containers or electric fences around the damps Expected results: - Less bears close to human settlements - Less habituated/problem bears Responsibility for National GOs/conservation agencies/NGOs implementation: Timing of the activities: Within next 5 years Level of urgency: 2 Cost and potential Costs: € 5-10,000 per year. funding sources: Funding sources: National GO and other sources Benefit: 4

ACTION 5 Title of the Action: Giving value to bears: explain and teach the economic benefits of bears Objective: 1. To make local inhabitants aware that bears do attract tourists. 2. To provide guidelines for economic use of bears through ecotourism and other activities Description of activities: Preparation of manual/guidelines of potential for economic use of bears other than hunting; Transfer of know-how of such successful activities in other areas in Bulgaria/abroad or other species; Encouraging/supporting projects for ecotourism and other activities based on bear presence in

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the region; Producing printed materials to local inhabitants showing the potential of bears to attract tourists; Encouraging tourist operators and municipalities to incorporate bears in their programs by promoting bear educational trails, bear viewing, and bear friendly products. Expected results: - successful fulfilment of self-sustaining projects, benefitting local people - increased support from the local people for bear conservation Responsibility for Bear experts, natural parks, tourist operators, local inhabitants, implementation: responsible government bodies (cooperation between conservation and touristic agencies) Timing of the activities: Continuous Level of urgency: 2 Cost and potential Costs: € yet unknown because of the variety of activities funding sources: Funding sources: different sources Benefit: 4

ACTION 6 Title of the Action: Develop and implement a population-level management plan Objective: To develop a common management plan guiding the transboundary conservation and management of the East Balkan bear population through directed national activities Description of activities: 1. To establish a transboundary East Balkan Bear Working Group 2. To develop a population-wide conservation strategy (management plan) in a participatory approach in order to (A) define the transboundary cooperation goals and approaches for successful bear conservation, (B) provide guidance and a framework for the national management plans, and (C) establish a forum for the discussion with / involvement of local stakeholder groups Expected results: - A common, regularly updated (e.g. every 5-6 years) document defining the transboundary cooperation and guiding the national management approaches, endorsed by the national authorities and the local stakeholders - An established process/ discussion platform supporting local/regional/national bear management through involvement of (local) interest groups Responsibility for GOs of the relevant countries with East Balkan bear population implementation: Timing of the activities: 2 years for the development of the first Plan, 2-3 workshops for each subsequent update (e.g. every 5-6 years) Level of urgency: 2 Cost and potential Costs: € 40 000 for development, about 5-8 000 for update funding sources: Funding: relevant GOs and other sources Benefit: 5

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ACTION 7 Title of the Action: Evaluate the effect of artificial feeding on bears Objective: To identify the effect of supplementary game feeding on bears and to implement measures for decrease of its significance for bear habituation Description of activities: This problem is of high importance for almost all East Balkan Bear population range, where regular supplementary feeding of game (wild boar, red and roe deer) is in place. Main activities would focus assessment of the level of importance of artificial feeding on bears through telemetry study and activities aiming to find solutions for deceasing of its effect for the habituation of bears (replacement of corn feeding with planted game fields, planted fruit trees, etc.) Expected results: - Less bears close to human settlements - Less habituated/problem bears Responsibility for Forestry units, hunters' associations, Government bodies implementation: Timing of the activities: On going Level of urgency: 2 Cost and potential Costs: ~€ 5 000 – 10 00 per year per country funding sources: Funding: forestry units, relevant GOs and other sources Benefit: 4

ACTION 8 Title of the Action: Produce, approve and implement Guidelines for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for new infrastructures in bear range Objective: Creation of “Guidelines for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for new infrastructures in bear range” Description of activities: In most of all countries where the East Balkan ber population occur there is a rapid development of new infrastructures (linear infrastructures such as speed roads and highways) within or intersecting important bear habitat There is a need of unified Guidelines for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for proper assessment of the impact of these new infrastructures on the bear range Expected results: - A common document aiding and guiding the Impact assessment of the new infrastructures in the bear habitat - Successful use of this document as step incorporated in the planning and construction phase of such infrastructures Responsibility for National GOs in cooperation with conservation NGOs and scientific implementation: organisations Timing of the activities: Preparation – 1 year Implementation - continuous Level of urgency: 2 Cost and potential Costs: ~ € 10 000 for creating and printing/distributing this document funding sources: Funding: relevant GOs and other sources Benefit: 3

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ACTION 9 Title of the Action: Identify and protect priority conservation areas of critical bear habitats with multiple uses, with special attention on the functional connectivity between population fragments of Stara Planina and Rilo-Rhodopean segment, as well as Eastern Serbia – northwest Bulgaria. Objective: Proactive habitat assessment and management actions to ensure long- term availability of undisturbed areas and natural key foods for bears within critical areas with multiple use. Description of activities: 1. To identify, assess and conserve priority areas of critical bear habitats with multiple uses (livestock grazing, hunting, tourism, etc.) 2. Enhancement of functional connectivity between protected areas within the core and the peripheral bear range through special conservation measures with special attention on the functional connectivity between population fragments of Stara Planina and Rilo- Rhodopean, as well as Eastern Serbia – northwest Bulgaria Expected results: • Critical bear habitats effectively protected • Functional connectivity between population fragments maintained Responsibility for relevant GOs and wildlife agencies implementation: Timing of the activities: On going Level of urgency: 3 Cost and potential Costs: unknown funding sources: Funding: relevant GOs and other sources Benefit: 5

ACTION 10 Title of the Action: Apply standardized depredation prevention programs Objective: To implement common programs of depredation prevention and provide a protocol to monitor their efficacy. Description of activities: Providing electric fences, guarding dogs, improving sheep herding/beehive keeping, etc.; improved compensation system Expected results: - Effective preventive measures in place (less damages) - Local acceptance for bears improved Responsibility for relevant GOs and wildlife agencies implementation: Timing of the activities: On going Level of urgency: 1 Cost and potential Costs: depends on the number of damages funding sources: Funding: relevant GOs and other sources Benefit: 4

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3.4 Baltic population

List of actions: 1. Assess the areas within present and possible range according to their suitability and importance as habitat and migration paths for bear 2. Establish and implement measures to predispose expansion of population range southwards 3. Carry out study to identify and compare the rural public attitudes towards bear within population in different countries and regions (counties) of dissimilar bear densities and management regimes 4. Carry out information campaigns designed for different target groups. Special attention should be paid to the areas at the edge of bear distribution range: S Estonia, N and E Latvia 5. Promote ecotourism to give economic value for bears in the areas without bear management or as an alternative for hunting in bear management areas 6. Carry out comparative estimation of bear population size using non-invasive genetic methods 7. Establish GIS data base for gathering and analysing records of bear occurrence outside permanent range 8. Intensify law enforcement and appropriate penalties to reduce illegal killing of bears 9. Establish protocol to manage orphaned cubs and nuisance bears

ACTION 1 Title of the Action: Assess the areas within present and possible range according to their suitability and importance as habitat and migration paths for bear Objective: Habitat suitability analyse to assess the potential range and population size of bear within Estonia and Latvia, potential migration corridors and limiting factors for expansion Description of activities: Initiate, develop, finance and carry on the habitat suitability analyse covering the entire inland area of Estonia and Latvia. Encourage mammal experts in Lithuania to reconsider feasibility of natural bear range recovering in the country Expected results: - Map of current and potential range of bear in Estonia and Latvia - Current and potential population size - Map of suitable migration paths southwards - List of potential limiting factors - List of measures to predispose the expansion - Thematic article in scientific magazine Responsibility for Bear researchers and responsible state agencies implementation: Timing of the activities: One year Level of urgency: 1 Cost and potential 20 000 €; national environmental or science funds funding sources: Benefit: 3

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ACTION 2 Title of the Action: Establish and implement measures to predispose expansion of population range southwards Objective: Implement the measures to predispose bear expansion southwards following the results and suggestions from study described in action 1 Description of activities: Implement stricter harvest limits at the southern edge of bear range (Southern part of Estonia) and achieve higher tolerance towards bear conflicts, e.g. by more beneficial compensation system in this region comparing to that in core area of bear range. The key question is to save these few reproductive and/or potential females. Other activities are directly linked to the suggestions from the study described in action 1 Expected results: Continuous bear expansion southwards Responsibility for Responsible state agencies implementation: Timing of the activities: As soon as possible; partly depends on term of action 1 Level of urgency: 1 Cost and potential No special funding needed funding sources: Benefit: 4

ACTION 3 Title of the Action: Carry out study to identify and compare the rural public attitudes towards bear within population in different countries and regions (counties) of dissimilar bear densities and management regimes Objective: Carry out a social study to identify the rural public attitudes towards bear in different regions and probable reasons of negative attitudes Description of activities: Share the questionnaires within the counties in Estonia and Latvia. Number of returned questionnaires should be sufficient to compare the public attitudes in different counties. Elaborate comparable parameters of various social processes indicating public attitudes towards bears, e.g. NOG-s defending bears, number of complains about bear damages, number of relevant articles in newspapers etc. Use these parameters in a study additionally to sociological inquiries. Analyse the correlation between attitudes, bear density, number of depredation events etc to identify the main factors of negative attitudes. Expected results: - Publicised public attitudes towards bear in different regions of dissimilar bear densities within Estonia and Latvia - List of main factors affecting the public attitudes towards bear - Clarify a difference between negative attitudes defined by lack of awareness on public side and those caused by mismanagement on authority (institutional) side - Results of the study should give input to develop awareness raising campaign in certain regions Responsibility for Bear researchers together with social scientists, responsible state implementation: agency Timing of the activities: One year

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Level of urgency: 3 Cost and potential 30 000 – 40 000 €, national environmental or science funds funding sources: Benefit: 2

ACTION 4 Title of the Action: Carry out information campaigns designed for different target groups. Special attention should be paid to the areas at the edge of bear distribution range: S Estonia, N and E Latvia Objective: To introduce bear`s biology, ecology, behaviour, probable conflicts and potential benefits to the people living at the edge of bear range. Higher knowledge should lessen unreasonable fear and rise up the acceptance. Description of activities: Arrange awareness raising seminars in different counties and municipalities in South Estonia, North Latvia and East Latvia. The main potentially affected groups like rural people, farmers (especially beekeepers) and hunters should be targeted. Besides the best bear experts, the representatives of local people living in areas of high bear density should be involved to share its own experiences. Expected results: - Rural people accept the bear living nearby and they know how to act in cases of encounter with bear - Beekeepers know how to avoid the depredation on beehives - Hunters have higher acceptance of bear existence in its hunting area and know how to avoid the incidents of shooting a bear mistakenly or for fear - Irrational fear level is reduced in society living with recovering bear population Responsibility for Environmental NGO-s, responsible state agencies implementation: Timing of the activities: Two years Level of urgency: 3 Cost and potential 20 000 - 40 000 € , national environmental or educational funds funding sources: Benefit: 3

ACTION 5 Title of the Action: Promote ecotourism to give economic value for bears in the areas without bear management or as an alternative for hunting in bear management areas Objective: Promote ecotourism as an alternative to trophy hunting. Give the additional value to bears especially in the areas where hunting is not allowed or very strictly limited. The social carrying capacity (acceptance) for bears will increase. Description of activities: Telling and producing printed materials to local inhabitants showing the potential of bears to attract tourists. Activities include promoting bear educational trails, bear viewing and/or photo hunting. Encouraging

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nature tourist operators, landowners and hunting grounds managers to incorporate bears in their programs. Expected results: - Non-invasive economic use of bears will increase - Local people in bear areas where bear hunting is prohibited will be interested in bear existence and population growth - Acceptance for bears will increase Responsibility for Tourist operators, landowners, hunting organizations, responsible state implementation: agency Timing of the activities: One year for start up Level of urgency: 4 Cost and potential Up to 10 000 € for start up funding sources: Benefit: 2

ACTION 6 Title of the Action: Carry out comparative estimation of bear population size using non- invasive genetic methods Objective: Estimate the number of bears in certain regions by use of DNA extracted from non-invasive samples (hairs from hair traps and scats) and compare it with results of currently used monitoring method Description of activities: Selecting one or two pilot regions (study areas). Establishing a net of hair traps, supplying the traps with attractants and collecting regularly the hairs from the traps during the capture period. Collecting the samples of fresh scats from the same region with the help of local hunters and other stakeholders. Roughly, 3 times more samples should be collected than is the current estimate of population size. Extracting the DNA in the lab, analysing the sufficient number of microsatellites and defining the different individuals. Comparing the results with the results of the currently used monitoring method (census of the reproductive females) Expected results: Population size in the study area with relatively narrow margin of error - Error of the population size calculated by currently used monitoring method (census of the reproductive females) - Assessment of total population size Responsibility for Responsible state agency implementation: Timing of the activities: Hair trapping - 2-3 months in summer, analyze 6 months Level of urgency: 4 Cost and potential 30 000 - 60 000 €, national environmental or science funds funding sources: Benefit: 2

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ACTION 7 Title of the Action: Establish GIS data base for gathering and analysing records of bear occurrence outside permanent range Objective: Monitor the trend of occasional bear occurrences and range expansion in temporal and spatial scale Description of activities: Develop a new or improving an existing nature conservation or forest GIS database. The info system should be easily accessible for public to insert the data and at the same time a tool for responsible state agency to control and analyse the data and demonstrate the results. The system should be developed in close cooperation with GIS and wildlife monitoring experts Expected results: - Functioning GIS database to gather, maintain and analyse the bear observations - Public online access to system to insert the observations and view the results - Bear population trends are adequately monitored Responsibility for Responsible state agency in partnership with interested NGO-s and implementation: research programs Timing of the activities: Two years Level of urgency: 2 Cost and potential State budgets, cost depends on variety of conditions and could not be funding sources: evaluated here Benefit: 2

ACTION 8 Title of the Action: Intensify law enforcement and appropriate penalties to reduce illegal killing of bears Objective: Lessen human-caused bear mortality to predispose population range expansion Description of activities: Share exposed jurisprudence documents from court cases related to illegal bear killings, bear product trade or keeping bears in captivity. Turnover of hunting trophies has to be monitored in accordance with issued hunting quotas, permits and requirements set by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Improving the national legislation. Illegal killing and persecution of bears should be defined and treated as a serious crime Expected results: - Illegal killing or persecution of bear is defined to be a crime - Known cases are followed up through the legal system - Illegal killing and persecution of bears is diminishing Responsibility for Responsible ministry implementation: Timing of the activities: Half year Level of urgency: 2 Cost and potential No extra costs funding sources: Benefit: 2

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ACTION 9 Title of the Action: Establish protocol to manage orphaned cubs and nuisance bears Objective: Compile and implement a protocol for responsible state institutions to act properly in any abnormal event related to bears Description of activities: Compiling a protocol with all institutions involved in the process. Document should describe various potential problem situations related with bears and set up a protocol for solution principles. Training the responsible experts to be competent to evaluate aright each situation, make the best decision and act accordingly Expected results: • Protocol is compiled and accepted: responsible institutions (and persons) designated, responsibilities, coordination and information flow detailed • Responsible experts are trained and equipped • State acts accordingly in any bear problem case • Created system measurably contributes to public safety and acceptance level regarding species return in ecosystems Responsibility for Responsible state agencies in cooperation with bear experts implementation: Timing of the activities: Compiling a protocol – half year, training experts -2 days every year Level of urgency: 2 Cost and potential State budgets funding sources: Benefit: 4

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3.5 Cantabrian Mountains population

List of actions: 1. Resolve the San Glorio ski resort problem. Identify and implement rural development measures compatible with Natura 2000 sites in exchange for abandoning the project of construction of the ski resort 2. Actions to stop mortality for poison mainly in the eastern population core area, including poison detecting dogs, intelligence services and assistance to minimize the wolf-livestock conflict 3. Implement actions to improve the social and ecological conditions of the corridor linking the western and eastern populations: improving attitudes and promoting bear-friendly hunting and forestry activities 4. Prepare guidelines for Environmental Impact Studies (EIS) for new infrastructure in bear range and implement actions for defragmentation in selected infrastructure already built 5. Prepare guidelines for translocation of female bears from the western to the eastern population, including the source of the bears and other administrative, operational, social and ecological aspects 6. Implement actions to facilitate the re-colonization of bears in expansion areas, mainly (but not only) in the eastern population, removing the social and ecological constraints that hinder this re-colonization 7. Improve the measures to prevent damages to beehives, orchards and livestock 8. Define and agree a protocol for a common method of collection and analysis of samples for the genetic monitoring of bears in the four Cantabrian autonomous regions 9. Approve Guidelines for bear watching and other bear-based tourism activities: promoting rural development and minimizing bear disturbance 10. Establish Bear Emergency Teams (BET) to deal with problem bears

ACTION 1 Title of the Action: Resolve the San Glorio ski resort problem. Identify and implement rural development measures compatible with Natura 2000 sites in exchange for abandoning the project of construction of the ski resort Objective: To develop rural economy compatible with bear conservation in the eastern population area, where bears are Critically Endangered. Abandon the project of the ski resort of San Glorio, incompatible with bear conservation Description of activities: 1) A group of experts on rural development with a good knowledge of the economic, social, cultural and natural characteristics of the area of eastern León and western Palencia provinces prepares a plan of rural development in the area. The activities of the plan must be compatible with the conservation of this Critically Endangered bear population, with the requirements of Natura 2000 sites and with the national and regional laws on endangered species and protected areas. 2) The plan is reviewed by the relevant government agency 3) The plan is officially adopted and the project of San Glorio ski resort is officially abandoned Expected results: - Actions for rural development compatible with bear conservation are proposed and implemented - The illegal project of the San Glorio ski resort is definitively abandoned

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- The conservation and recovery of this bear population and the economic development of the rural society are compatible in the area - Rural people and bears can coexist in the area Responsibility for Regional government of Castilla y León. Rural development experts implementation: Timing of the activities: Six months for preparing the first draft. Three months for revision of official adoption of the plan. Level of urgency: 1 Cost and potential Costs: 30,000 EUR for preparing the plan. funding sources: Funding sources: Regional government of Castilla y León Benefit: 5

ACTION 2 Title of the Action: Actions to stop mortality for poison mainly in the eastern population core area, including poison detecting dogs, intelligence services and assistance to minimize the wolf-livestock conflict Objective: Most of the females of the Critically Endangered eastern population live in a small area of Palencia province where the poison causes a relevant mortality. The object is to stop the mortality caused by poison in this core area, allowing the recovery of this population. Description of activities: 1) Meetings with local hunters and livestock breeders in the villages affected by the poison in order to know in depth the elements of the problem. 2) To establish a team of dogs trained to look for poison in order to operate throughout bear range but mainly in the core breeding area of the eastern population 3) Promote close cooperation between forest wardens, the environmental rural police (SEPRONA) and the regional and local authorities to watch and collect information on the use of poison. 4) Promote a close cooperation between regional and local authorities and local livestock breeders in order to reduce the damages to the livestock caused by wolves and the use of preventive measures. 5) Establish close cooperation with local hunters in order to facilitate hunting and to reduce populations of wild boards and other ungulates where they cause relevant damages to the agriculture. Expected results: - Detailed knowledge acquired on the areas where poison is used and on the reasons why local people use poison - Early detection of poison by the trained dogs and police action discourages local people to use poison. - Damages caused by wolves and other wildlife reduced and therefore less motivation to use poison. - Cooperation with hunters improved - Conflict on the use of natural resources reduced at a local level - Less poison in the field, lower mortality of female bears and faster bear recovery of the eastern population

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Responsibility for Mainly, regional government of Castilla y León, but also regional implementation: governments of Asturias, Cantabria and Galicia. Involvement of the Ministry of the Environment desirable. Timing of the activities: Six months to establish teams working in the field. Operating of system: continuous until solving the problem Level of urgency: 1 Cost and potential One person to develop cooperation with local people and information funding sources: hired with vehicle expenses (40,000 euros/ year ) A team of trained dogs working in the field (60,000 euros). Funding sources: regional and national governments. European Union. Benefit: 5

ACTION 3 Title of the Action: Implement actions to improve the social and ecological conditions of the corridor linking the western and eastern populations: improving attitudes and promoting bear-friendly hunting and forestry activities. Objective: The improvement of the social and ecological conditions in the corridor, which is crucial to re-establish the connection between both populations Description of activities: 1) To carry out bear-friendly forestry activities, preserving and recovering the best oak and beech forests and maintaining and increasing the connectivity. 2) Carry out hunting activities compatible with bear presence, delaying or changing the hunting drives for wild board in the forests where the presence of bears have been detected. 3) Protecting beehives with electric fences where bears are detected. 4) Regular meetings with stakeholders in order to agree the best way to co-exist with an increasing number of bears. Expected results: -The forests are increasingly more appropriate to provide refuge and food to the bears. - Hunting activities are not a threat for bears - Hunters and other rural people are not afraid by the increasing number of bears. - Beehives are increasingly protected from bears. - The bears coming from the western population occupies more and more the corridor improving the connection between both populations Responsibility for Regional governments of Castilla y León and of Asturias. Local implementation: authorities. Timing of the activities: On going Level of urgency: 2 Cost and potential 40,000 EUR. One person with vehicle expenses hired for the whole funding sources: corridor to work with the stakeholders. Or two persons hired half time by the two regional governments. Other resources provided by autonomous regions (i.e., electric fences). Source of funding. Regional governments of Castilla y León and of Asturias. European Commission (Life + project) Benefit: 4

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ACTION 4 Title of the Action: Prepare guidelines for Environmental Impact Studies (EIS) for new infrastructure in bear range and implement actions for defragmentation in selected infrastructure already built. Objective: Document describing what and how to look at when working on an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) for new infrastructure in the bear range or when roads are expanded or improved in Natura 2000 areas. Description of activities: One expert reviews the literature and the practical cases in the Cantabrian Mountains and prepares the first draft. The draft is circulated and reviewed by other bear experts. The document is reviewed by the relevant governmental agency and officially adopted to become the binding part of EIS. Expected results: - Guidelines are written and accepted - Methods how to prepare the EIS in relation to bears are clearly described - Monitoring of the effect of construction is defined, as well as the consequences of the results of monitoring - A list of main sites where defragmentation is feasible and relevant, with activities of defragmentation and cost estimated. Responsibility for Autonomous region, Ministry of the Environment, bear experts. implementation: Timing of the activities: Three months to prepare the first manuscript. One month for the review of other experts. One month to prepare a meeting with experts and relevant agencies to adopt the document. Level of urgency: 2 Cost and potential 10,000 to produce the document. The meeting expenses covered by a funding sources: regional or national government agency. Benefit: 4

ACTION 5 Title of the Action: Prepare guidelines for translocation of female bears from the western to the eastern population, including the source of the bears and other administrative, operational, social and ecological aspects Objective: In recent years, 4 young females from the western population have appeared wounded, and after being treated in captivity have being released. The object is to prepare and adopt guidelines to release in the eastern population the bears which appear wounded in the western population or are available for other reasons. Description of activities: 1) To reach a consensus of the autonomous regions to carry out this project. 2) An expert reviews the literature and prepares guidelines on how to recover wounded bears and release them in other areas 3) The regional governments review and adopt the document Expected results: Document including at least: - Conditions to recover wounded, sick or starving bears in order to avoid habituation with people. - A list of facilities where bears can be treated under these conditions

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- How to transport bears safely by road - Characteristics of the areas, time of the year and management of the areas selected to release the bears. - Monitoring of the bears after being released. - Social and political concerns related in the source and release areas. - Selection of the best sites in the eastern population in Castilla y León and in Asturias autonomous regions to release the bears in order to maximize the connection between both populations. Responsibility for Autonomous regions, mainly of Castilla y León and Asturias. Bears implementation: experts. Involvement of the Ministry of the Environment desired. Timing of the activities: Three months for preparing the first draft. One month for revision and adoption of the plan. Level of urgency: 2 Cost and potential 12,000 EUR (four months of one expert). funding sources: Ministry of the Environment. Autonomous regions. Benefit: 4

ACTION 6 Title of the Action: Implement actions to facilitate the re-colonization of bears in expansion areas, mainly (but not only) in the eastern population, removing the social and ecological constraints that hinder this re-colonization. Objective: To improve the conditions of the areas of expansion, mainly in the east of León province, which is crucial to recover the eastern population and to restore the connections with the western population Description of activities: 1) To know a detailed list of the areas where the bears are expanding, mainly in the east of León province, but also in other areas relevant for the recovery of the population. 2) To obtain a deep knowledge of the actual and potential ecological and social problems that can prevent or delay bear recovery. 3) To work in the conservation of the most relevant forests that provide food, refuge and hibernation habitats of bears in these areas. 4) To work with hunter associations in order to carry out bear-friendly hunting activities in the most important areas for bear re-colonization. 5) Actions to avoid damages to the beehives and to the livestock if it is necessary. 6) Close monitoring of the areas in order to avoid other impacts, such as infrastructure, non-compatible tourism activities, etc. Expected results: - One person is hired to work in close contact with stakeholders, wardens and managers in the areas where the re-colonization is happening. - A ranked list of the best forest for short-term bear expansion - A list of forestry impacts and solutions - Meetings with hunter associations in order to agree bear-friendly hunting activities. - Electric fences to protect beehives are donated to the producers and training to use and maintain them are offered in the best expansion areas.

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- A list f other impacts and solutions are provided to the regional governments and managers of protected areas in bear expansion areas. Responsibility for Regional governments, mainly of Castilla y León but also those of implementation: Asturias, Cantabria and Galicia. Bear experts. Timing of the activities: On oing Level of urgency: 1 Cost and potential 40,000 EUR/ year to contract one person and vehicle expenses. funding sources: Benefit: 4

ACTION 7 Title of the Action: Improve the measures to prevent damages to beehives, orchards and livestock. Objective: To improve the currents measures of damage prevention, implementing them in areas where they are needed and improving the protocols in the areas where these measures are being already implemented Description of activities: To update the documents on the right use of methods of prevention of damages of livestock. To review the best methods of using electric fences to protect the beehives, including the most practical and economic types of fences, the methods to put and maintain the fences and the practical solutions to the main problems found by the producers. To list the main areas where damages to livestock and beehives is a problem and to give this information to the regional governments. To list the main problems related with damage compensation and to look for solutions. Expected results: - Reduction of conflicts and improvement of bear perception reducing the damages. - An updated document available in the internet on the use of electric fences to protect beehives. - A document ranking the main areas with damage conflicts to inform to the regional governments on the priorities of actions - A study to help the regional governments on how to solve problems of damage compensation Responsibility for Regional governments, protected areas with bears. Bear experts. The implementation: involvement of the Ministry of the Environment is desirable Timing of the activities: One month to prepare the document on electric fences to protect beehives. The other activities, continuous. Level of urgency: 3 Cost and potential 3,000 EUR to prepare the document on electric fences. The other funding sources: activities can be implemented with regular funds of the autonomous regions. Benefit: 3

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ACTION 8 Title of the Action: Define and agree a protocol for a common method of collection and analysis of samples for the genetic monitoring of bears in the four Cantabrian autonomous regions. Objective: Develop common non-invasive genetic sampling and analyses in order to evaluate the dynamics of the population and to monitor the genetic effects on demography. Description of activities: To organize a meeting with representatives of the autonomous regions and genetic scientists to agree the use of coordinated genetic research for the study of the Cantabrian population. Standardise the methods to collect the genetic samples (hair, scats, tissue) in the field and the storage. Use the same sampling design (same sampling periods and same sampling intensity) in order to use the CMR models for abundance estimates. Standardise the methods for DNA extraction, microsatellite analysis and sex determination. Designate one or a few research laboratories for the examinations and analyses of the samples. Establish a shared database on genetics and cross validation for agreement on consensus genotypes in each laboratory. Improve the analysis if an inbreeding depression is obvious. Expected results: - A meeting with authorities and scientists is carried out and the coordination of genetic research and monitoring is agreed. - Same protocols for collect, sampling, storing and analyses. - Annual Reports on genetic results (number of genotypes detected, heterozygosis, pedigree…). - Methods to know the migration of bears between the two populations are defined. - Detection of potential inbreeding depression and propositions to mitigate the problems Responsibility for The four regional governments of the Cantabrian Mountains. Genetic implementation: scientists. Bear experts. Timing of the activities: Three months to organize the meeting. After that the activities should be continuous. Level of urgency: 2 Cost and potential A meeting funded by the Ministry of the Environment. The subsequent funding sources: cost depends on the resolutions agreed in the meeting. Benefit: 3

ACTION 9 Title of the Action: Approve Guidelines for bear watching and other bear-based tourism activities: promoting rural development and minimizing bear disturbance. Objective: After the dramatic increase of bear watching and other bear-based activities in the Cantabrian Mountains, it is necessary to agree a document of best practices on bear tourism in order to maximize income to rural economy and minimize impact on bears.

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Description of activities: 1) One bear expert reviews the literature and the tourism activities carried out elsewhere and prepare a draft of document on compatible tourism. 2) Organize a meeting with regional and national authorities, managers of protected areas, bear experts and representatives of the tourism business to review the document. 3) The final version is agreed and adopted by the regional governments. 4) The document is circulated among the local authorities, the tourism business representatives and to the media. 5) Through the appropriate legislation, the agreed document become legally binding. Expected results: A document is produced on bear based tourism including at least: - Benefits and impacts of bear-based tourism - Bear watching and photography: where, when and in which conditions is or not acceptable. - Tourism in bear habitat. Impact for bears of different types of tourism and threats to people. - Tourism in bear habitat. Types of activities and circumstances that should be promoted and avoided. Responsibility for Regional governments, managers of protected areas, Ministry of the implementation: Environment, bear experts, representatives of the tourism business. Timing of the activities: One month to prepare the first draft of the document, one month for reviewing it, one month to prepare the meeting and one month to prepare and disseminate the final document. Level of urgency: 2 Cost and potential Document, meeting organization (partially funded by one regional funding sources: administration or protected area) and final document dissemination: 10,000 Euros. Benefit: 4

ACTION 10 Title of the Action: Establish Bear Emergency Teams (BET) to deal with problem bears. Objective: Train and equip a group of wardens or local professionals to act properly in any event related to problem bears. Description of activities: To contract a team of two persons or to train two wardens or technicians from regional or national governments on how to act when there is a problem bear, i.e., a bear involved in recurrent depredation events or damages to beehives, habituated bears, bears threatening the people safety, etc. Theoretical and practical training in Spain. Visit to foreign, well established BET with long experience in order to learn their techniques. Buy the appropriate material to deal with problem or wounded bears (anaesthetic, rubber bullets guns, transport material, etc.) Expected results: Members of the team will: - acquire the legal status of Team member with signed contract with the government body

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- Team members will officially inspect the site of each bear problem related situation, prepare the report and propose next steps - advice on prevention of problem with bears - advise on eventual need for capture of certain bears - know to properly deal with problem bears Responsibility for Regional governments, and bear experts for training. The involvement implementation: of the Ministry of the Environment would be desirable. Timing of the activities: A 3-days course in Spain. A 5-days course abroad. After the training is completed, continuous. Level of urgency: 3 Cost and potential 4,000 EUR training in Spain and abroad (a 3-days course in Europe and a funding sources: 5-days visit abroad). 3,000 EUR material. The main cost (contracts) depends on if some staff of administrations is trained for this job or if external persons are contracted. In the second case, 60,000 EUR for two persons and vehicle per year. Funding: Regional governments or Ministry of the Environment Benefit: 3

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3.6 Carpathian population

List of actions: 1. National and trans-boundary (population) management plans 2. Strengthening transboundary cooperation 3. Standardised population monitoring 4. Establishing national Bear Emergency Teams 5. Standard genetic monitoring to estimate population size, trend, gene flow and connectivity among population segments 6. Promote naturalness of bear feeding habits and provide guidelines for supplementary feeding practices 7. Safeguarding habitat connectivity 8. Implement effective programs to reduce the number of stray dogs and enforce the law regarding the guardian dogs 9. Reducing bear-human conflicts by means of preventive measures 10. Raising awareness through applied research and education 11. Harmonising agricultural policy and bear conservation 12. Transboundary management of bear culling and its impact on the conservation status at national and population level 13. Integrating Ukraine to ensure continuity of the bear population throughout the Carpathians

ACTION 1 Title of the Action: National and trans-boundary (population) management plans. Objective: To develop management plans guiding the national and transboundary conservation and management of the Carpathian bear population using a process of stakeholder participation and scientific data. Description of activities: Develop a population-wide conservation strategy (management plan) in a participatory approach in order to (1) define the transboundary and national/international cooperation for bear conservation, (2) provide guidance and a framework for the national and international management plans, and (3) establish a forum/activities for the discussion with/involvement of local stakeholder groups in each country in a series of facilitated participatory workshops considering the “Guidelines for Population Level Management Plans for Large Carnivores” and data from standardised population monitoring. Develop national management plans for countries still missing them for guiding conservation and management of the species at national/local level. Expected results: • A common, regularly updated (e.g. every 6 years) document defining the transboundary and national/international cooperation of all interested subjects and guiding the national management approaches concerning the Carpathian bear population, endorsed by the national authorities and the local stakeholders • An established process/platform supporting local/regional/national bear management through involvement of (local) interest groups

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Responsibility for Governmental bodies responsible for environment and nature implementation: conservation of the relevant countries sharing the Carpathian bear population and with the participation of all key interest groups. Timing of the activities: 2-4 years for the development of the first Plan, 2-3 workshops for each subsequent update (e.g. every 6 years) Level of urgency: 1 Cost and potential 100.000 – 200.000 EUR funding sources: Benefit: 5

ACTION 2 Title of the Action: Strengthening transboundary cooperation Objective: Set up a Carpathian Bear Working Group based on national working groups of scientists, authorities and stakeholders to prepare management decision to the population level. Establish the coordination of the group work. Description of activities: Cooperation between all countries sharing the Carpathian bear population. Harmonization of bear management and common methodological approaches for monitoring in each country with the procedures established through international agreements. Expected results: To improve the population level of conservation through: - unification of monitoring approaches and population trend/numbers estimations - coordination of management decisions - exchange of experience and knowledge throughout the population range Responsibility for All GOs and NGOs involved in bear management in the Carpathians. implementation: Timing of the activities: Establishing of system: 2 -5 years. Operating system: continuous. Level of urgency: 2 Cost and potential 10.000 – 20.000 EUR per year funding sources: Benefit: 4

ACTION 3 Title of the Action: Standardised population monitoring Objective: Establish systematic monitoring using scientific methodology and common standard protocol with the participation of key interest groups (hunters and foresters, environmentalists, nature conservationists, researchers, NGOs etc.) implemented in all countries of the Carpathian range bear population. For Ukraine is priority to standardize count methods between land users inside country before. Description of activities: Common transboundary monitoring system established for the whole Carpathian population, using the same standards synchronised in time within all countries sharing this population. Sound conservation of the

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population requires first a detailed evaluation of the state of the autochthonous bear population. The common system will be based on two different approaches: The base of the common system will be the compilation of readily available data (chance observations reported by local contacts) complemented with a scientifically robust estimation of the abundance of bear populations in predefined, transboundary reference areas every two - three years. The chance observations will be used for estimating the total population size by means of a GIS habitat modelling based extrapolation over the entire distribution range. Common reports on the status of the population will be published every three years. In order to apply derogations to the Habitat Directive monitoring of population and damages created by bears is done each year in Romania. Expected results: • common monitoring approaches • shared databases for collected data • common assessment of population status and parameters every 2- 3 years • national and international reports and articles Responsibility for Governmental bodies responsible for environment and nature implementation: conservation of the relevant countries sharing the Carpathian bear population in cooperation with research institutes and organisations (e.g. Technical University of Zvolen, Slovak Wildlife Society, The Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology /National Academy of Science of the Ukraine, Kiev National University of Lviv. Hnutí Duha in Czech Republic, Ministry of Environment and Climate Changes in Romania). Timing of the activities: Establishing of system: 3 years. Part of system is already established in Poland, Slovakia and Romania. Operating of system: continuous. Level of urgency: 1 Cost and potential Transboundary cooperation, standardisation and common analyses funding sources: and reporting cause insignificant costs in addition to those required for national monitoring. Support of the national wildlife authorities is needed. Benefit: 5

ACTION 4 Title of the Action: Establishing national Bear Emergency Teams Objective: Establishment of a Bear Emergency Team in each country with common standard protocols for procedures for interventions in common scenarios, as well as a system of communication, coordination and decision-taking among BETs. That includes identification of the mortality causes (with veterinary screening) of the bear population to the Carpathian level. Description of activities: Rapid intervention of BET in conflict situations between bears and humans in order to reduce bear mortality and dangers to human lives. Analysis of captured/hunted bears in order to determine the healthy status of the populations.

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Expected results: Reduce the mortality of the bear population and the level of conflict between human and bears Responsibility for GOs implementation: Timing of the activities: 1 year Level of urgency: 1 Cost and potential 100.000 / year funding sources: Benefit: 4

ACTION 5 Title of the Action: Standard genetic monitoring to estimate population size, trend, gene flow and connectivity among population segments Objective: 1. Establish a standard protocol for genetic monitoring in all countries 2. Estimate the number of bears and population trends with use of non-invasive methods and following the standard protocol in all countries within the bear population range. 3. Provide valuable data on the genetic connectivity between the western and eastern segments of the Carpathian population and for the Apuseni population in order to establish the best management actions, and delineate subpopulations. Description of activities: Preparation of a common protocol for all countries in the bear range is to be conducted on a workshop with scientists and management representatives. The protocol is to be applied in all countries. Genetic monitoring is to cover the whole area of bear distribution and needs strong transboundary cooperation. The areas of permanent bear occurrence will be sampled intensively in a systematic way for a short period (e.g. the autumn months). The areas of temporal bear occurrence may be sampled opportunistically and for longer periods (e.g. the whole year). DNA is extracted and a optimum number of microsatellites, as determined in the protocol, is sequenced and analysed. Results are compared with existing data of genetic studies in the countries. Special attention will be put to study the connectivity between population segments including sensitive linkage region between Tatra and Bieszczady-Poloniny regions in Poland and Slovakia, and the Apuseni mountains in Romania. This genetic monitoring will be combined with field surveys of bear presence, particular effort to be done in linkage areas. It will take advantage of the recent genetic results and bears genotyped at the country level. Expected results: - Protocol is written and accepted - All countries in range apply common methods for genetic studies and population estimates - Areas of temporal and permanent bear presence are revealed, - Bear numbers are estimated for each country and for the whole population, - Population trend will be known when this standardised genetic protocol is repeated in future

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- Gene flow between population segments is revealed - Delineation of (sub)populations is possible on genetic basis - Management actions aiming at improving and preserving the connectivity between population segments are undertaken (in connection with Action 7) Responsibility for Governmental bodies responsible for environment and nature implementation: conservation (in cooperation with scientific institutions and management units such as national parks or forestry districts; responsibilities assigned to more interest groups) Timing of the activities: A complete genetic monitoring may require about two-three years, the first for establishing the standard genetic protocol and conducting sampling (permits, collection, database) and the second for analysis (genetic and statistical) and preparation of the report. Recommended to be repeated every 6 years to synchronize it with the report on the brown bear conservation status for the European Commission. Level of urgency: 1 Cost and potential 200.000 – 300.000 EUR for one country with 100 to 1000 bears funding sources: Funding sources: 1. National funding sources – national funds for environmental protection and nature conservation, national governmental bodies responsible for implementation of management plans, national funding programs for environment, regional funding schemes, scientific institutions with research grants, funds from interest groups and nongovernmental organizations 2. International funding sources – European funds and programs (e.g. Life+, INTERREG, Swiss Fund, Norway grants, transboundary cooperation programs), research and conservation grants from nongovernmental organizations and foundations (e.g. EuroNatur, Alertis, Rufford Foundation, International Association for Bear Research and Management) Benefit: 5

ACTION 6 Title of the Action: Promote naturalness of bear feeding habits and provide guidelines for supplementary feeding practices Objective: 1. Assess the magnitude and trend of supplementary feeding practices for each country, including intentional bear feeding, ungulate baiting and creation of orchards for wildlife feeding 2. Assess the contribution of human-provided food to bear diet in different Carpathian regions 3. Identify main natural bear foods and main threats to important foraging habitats 4. Document the relationship between supplementary feeding and occurrence of problem bears in Poland 5. Workshops in each country organised to increase public awareness on the effects of wildlife artificial feeding 6. Provide guidelines for best supplementary feeding practices

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Description of activities: Data on the amount of artificial food supplied from different feeding practices, as well as the regions where they occur, is gathered for each country in the last years. Traditional diet analyses are conducted in regions where no information on bear diet is available to assess the relative contribution of human-provided vs. natural foods. This Action is partly based on and complements the output of a recent scientific project in Poland about the effects of ungulate supplementary feeding on bears. Stable isotope analysis of tissues (mainly hair) from problem and non-problem bears in Poland will reveal potential differences in the contribution of supplemental food to their diets. Results useable for other countries. The whole output, together with existing findings on the effects of artificial feeding on wildlife, is presented at two-day workshops in each country. The recommendation of not to increase the current levels of supplemental feeding is discussed and agreed by national stakeholders. A draft of the guidelines for best feeding practices is produced from each national workshop, and summarised in a general document for the whole Carpathian population. These final guidelines are translated into the national languages, printed as a booklet and distributed among national stakeholders. Expected results: - Amounts of human-provided food to bears and the trend is known - Bear use and dependency on human-provided food is assessed - Key natural bear foods, important foraging habitats, and main threats are identified - The relationship between human-provided food and the occurrence of problem bears is investigated and documented - Recommendations for best practice regarding ungulate baiting, bear intentional feeding and non-natural food plantations (e.g. maize crops, fruit trees) are produced - Best feeding practices and the importance to protect habitats providing bear natural foods are disseminated to stakeholders, media and public. Responsibility for Bear experts, hunting organizations, forest administrations, NGOs and implementation: governmental bodies responsible for nature conservation and management Timing of the activities: Two years; first year for data gathering, second year for workshops and guidelines preparation Level of urgency: 3 Cost and potential 50.000 EURO per country (workshop, diet and artificial food funding sources: assessments, guidelines production) Benefit: 4

ACTION 7 Title of the Action: Safeguarding habitat connectivity Objective: Identify and map priority connectivity areas for bear population in order to avoid habitat loss and fragmentation: Special actions for the connectivity of the Western segment in Slovakia and Poland, and for the Apuseni Mountains in Romania. Incorporate consideration of

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wildlife movement corridors into landscape level planning, infrastructure development and transport networks. Description of activities: In most countries sharing the Carpathian bear population access to EU funds has accelerated the development of new infrastructure within or intersecting bear habitat (transport routes, residential and industrial buildings, recreation areas such as ski resorts). There is an important need for common Guidelines for Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) in order to properly assess and mitigate the impact of these new infrastructures on the bear population in each country. It remains unknown at this time whether there is exchange of bears between the Western Carpathian bear population in and central Slovakia and southern Poland and the Eastern Carpathian population in eastern Slovakia, southeast Poland and Ukraine. This should be clarified through DNA analysis and telemetry studies. There is a similar situation regarding the Apuseni Mountains in Romania and in the Ukrainian Carpathians. Expected results: - GIS analysis of wildlife movement corridors and infrastructure with particular reference to bear habitat and distribution. - Improved knowledge of the degree of connectivity between different portions of the Carpathian bear population. - Better understanding and assessment of the impact of infrastructure buildings and locations on the Carpathian bear population (mortality causes and rates within the population, movement patterns etc.). Evaluation of movement corridors, landscape and population connectivity. Responsibility for GOs, NGOs, experts - scientist, wildlife and park managers, foresters implementation: and hunting associations in cooperation with highways authorities, local authorities etc. Timing of the activities: 2-3 years Level of urgency: 1 Cost and potential 50-100,000 Euro funding sources: GOs Benefit: 4

ACTION 8 Title of the Action: Implement effective programs to reduce the number of stray dogs and enforce the law regarding the guardian dogs. Objective: Deploy effective measures, aimed to reduce the number of stray dogs and enforce the wildlife conservation law regarding stray dogs in hunting areas. Description of activities: Remove and sterilize the stray dogs from bears territories Expected results: Reduction of cubs mortality due to diseases spread by the stray dogs in bear population Reduction of bear cubs killed by packs of stray dogs. Responsibility for GOs and Hunting Organisations implementation: Timing of the activities: Permanent

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Level of urgency: 1 Cost and potential 100,000/year funding sources: Benefit: 5

ACTION 9 Title of the Action: Reducing bear-human conflicts by means of preventive measures Objective: Implement programs for depredation preventions and rules of good practices for livestock breeders. Change the emphasis of state support from post hoc payment of compensation to support for preventive measures. Implementation of ordinances for appropriate (“bear safe”) storage and processing of refuse in core bear areas. Special emphasis on preventing bear access to garbage. Guidelines for identification of carnivores in damage case. Education on prevention methods for beehives and cattle. Estimation of real damage level. Description of activities: Unmitigated human-bear conflicts can have a significant negative influence on levels of public tolerance and acceptance of bears, with important implications for species conservation. It is therefore important to adequately address such conflicts, which typically involve damage to livestock, beehives and agricultural crops, nuisance behaviour (feeding on garbage), property damage and threats to human safety. Measures are available which have proven effective in reducing such conflicts, including electric fencing, bear-proof bins and livestock guarding dogs. Each of these measures will be implemented at a minimum of 20 sites in order to test their effectiveness in local conditions. A carnivore damage centre will be established in each country to facilitate this work through providing an expert outreach service. Successful measures will be promoted through awareness raising campaigns. States will be encouraged to prioritise funding for pro-active preventive measures ahead of post hoc compensation. If damage occurs at an unsecured site (for example a bear obtains garbage from a conventional bin), the site should be secured in addition to any other action which may be taken (e.g. removal of the bear) to ensure that the problem is not repeated in the future. Expected results: Demonstration that damage can be reduced or prevented through non- lethal means. Responsibility for Governmental bodies responsible for environment and nature implementation: conservation in cooperation with local authorities and NGOs and management units such as national parks or forestry districts. Timing of the activities: Establishing measures: 3 - 5 years. Operating: continuous. Level of urgency: 1 Cost and potential 200.000 – 400.000 EUR for one country for the set-up period funding sources: Benefit: 5

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ACTION 10 Title of the Action: Raising awareness through applied research and education Objective: Establish an applied research programme for bears at the population level and an educational program for the key stakeholders based on research results. Education efforts aimed at improving public knowledge of bears, their needs and behaviour. Education of local people about security methods during their visits to bear habitat for berries and mushrooms. Description of activities: Development of target specific PR concepts and education programmes together with interest groups such as hunters, livestock owners and foresters. Presentation of the research results concerning the bear ethology and ecology in order to ensure a better understanding of the species. Expected results: Better understanding of bear role in ecosystems and better acceptance of the species between group of interest as livestock owners, hunters and foresters. Responsibility for GOs and NGOs implementation: Timing of the activities: Permanent Level of urgency: 1 Cost and potential 300000 / country funding sources: Benefit: 5

ACTION 11 Title of the Action: Harmonising agricultural policy and bear conservation Objective: Lobby to the EU agriculture policy on subsidies in order to take in to consideration biodiversity and natural ecosystem conservation. Do not support agricultural practices that will increase conflict with bears and other large carnivores. Description of activities: Lobby in the working groups for best practices in agriculture in order not to accept agriculture methods which are detrimental to bears conservation Expected results: Do not give subsidies for those who are not respecting (implementing) the best agriculture practices Responsibility for Environmental Agencies, Responsible bodies for financial aids in implementation: agriculture Timing of the activities: Permanent Level of urgency: 1 Cost and potential Government funding sources: Benefit: 4

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ACTION 12 Title of the Action: Transboundary management of bear culling and its impact on the conservation status at national and population level Objective: 1. Determine the fraction of the bear population which is transboundary (in connection with Action 5) 2. Estimate bear mortality due to hunting or culling, and the sex/age structure of harvested bears, at both national and (sub)population level (in connection with Action 4) 3. Establish the transboundary area where management decisions regarding bear harvesting will be taken jointly by the neighbouring countries, and where culling may affect the reconnection of population segments 4. Evaluate how the country current levels of bear harvesting affect the conservation status at the own and neighbouring countries, and at the (sub)population level Description of activities: The number of bears occurring simultaneously in neighbouring countries is estimated in connection with Action 5, to obtain the proportion of the (sub)population which is transboundary. Estimates of bear mortality due to hunting are based on data gathered at national level following a standard protocol (Action 4). The spatial extent (km from the border) of the transboundary areas is established based on available genetic and spatial data and during a series of two-day workshops led by a professional facilitator in order to reach consensus and real transboundary cooperation. Transboundary areas were bear culling should be stopped (e.g. linkage areas) to be agreed and established. A protocol for information flow, coordination and decision- making is discussed and established in case of problem bears and interventions leading to bear culling in these areas. Modelling is conducted to evaluate the impact of hunting on population dynamics and reconnection of population segments, and to assess the potential effects on the favourable reference values for the population and its segments. Expected results: - Fraction of transboundary population known for each country - Mortality due to hunting and age/sex structure of hunted bears known - All parties agree with a joint management of transboundary bears and the protocol to follow in case of bear interventions leading to culling in these areas - Map of the transboundary areas where bear culling decisions are taking jointly by the responsible bodies of the neighbouring countries - Delimitation of the transboundary areas were bear culling may affect population connectivity - Model of bear culling effects on population Responsibility for Bear researchers, Carpathian Bear Working Group, governmental bodies implementation: or agencies responsible for environment and conservation Timing of the activities: One year, after Action 5 is completed and mortality causes are identified under Action 4. Data gathering during the first 4 months, followed by 2 workshops in the following 8 months. To be updated or repeated according to needs Level of urgency: 3

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Cost and potential 40-50.000 EURO funding sources: Shared by State and EU projects Benefit: 4

ACTION 13 Title of the Action: Integrating Ukraine to ensure continuity of the bear population throughout the Carpathians Objective: Map the bear range in Ukraine Carpathians, estimate bear numbers and identify potential threats for connectivity from Romania to Slovakia and Poland. Need for more detailed map of individual patches. DNA studies to estimate proportion of “common” bears along borders with EU countries. Estimation of illegal hunting on bear. Description of activities: Law enforcement in Ukraine in order to reduce poaching of bears When radio-collared bears are crossing the border Ukrainian authorities to be informed in order to check mortality causes. Expected results: Better survival rates and better connectivity between bear populations from Romania to Slovakia and Poland through Ukraine Responsibility for Ukraine GOs implementation: Timing of the activities: On going Level of urgency: 1 Cost and potential ? funding sources: Benefit: 5

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3.7 Dinara-Pindos population

List of action: 1. Guidelines for Environmental Impact Studies (EIS) for new infrastructure in bear range 2. Facilitated workshops with stakeholders on bear management for production and implementation of management plan (considering trans-boundary character of population) 3. Bear Emergency Team training and establishment in each country sharing the Dinara-Pindos population 4. Prevention of bear access to garbage. 5. Economic use of bears: promoting ecotourism and trophy hunting 6. Genetic estimation of population trend and size 7. Genetic status of bear population: diversity, inbreeding, gene flow and uniqueness 8. Effect of feeding on bears (in Croatia and Slovenia) 9. Systematic mortality monitoring (natural and human caused) 10. Health status of bears (including zoonotic agents) 11. Elimination of inappropriate private holding and exploiting of captive bears

ACTION 1 Title of the Action: Guidelines for Environmental Impact Studies (EIS) for new infrastructure in bear range Objective: Official and practical document describing what and how to look at when working on an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) for a new infrastructure in the bear range. Example: for Wind- park projects there are guidelines for EIS how to evaluate impact on bats and birds but not for large carnivores. The Guidelines can be used in any country with bears- Description of activities: A group of experts use the own expertise and review all relevant literature. The key approach is to (1) rank the importance of bear habitats based on telemetry locations of radio tracked bears in the same type of habitat with special attention to typical bear denning sites, and (2) propose the monitoring methods with the criteria how to interpret the results of monitoring. The document is reviewed by the relevant governmental agency and official adopted to become the binding part of a new EIS. Expected results: - Guidelines are written and accepted - methods how to prepare the EIS in relation to bears are clearly described - monitoring of the effect of construction is defined, as well as the consequences of the results of monitoring - the same Guidelines may be translated and adapted for use in several countries in the bear range (the best would be adoption by EC) - List of specific examples of infrastructure constructions that need the guidelines for EIS: - (1) Wind energy parks - (2) Highways - (3) Water power facilities

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- (4) Sport facilities like skiing slopes - (5) Forest plantations - (6) Intensive livestock breeding projects - (7) Fencing areas for game farms or other reasons Responsibility for Bear experts and relevant governmental agency for contracting implementation: Timing of the activities: Four months of work of a team of 2-3 experts per one Guidelines for EIS. Level of urgency: 1 Cost and potential 10.000 EUR per one set of Guidelines funding sources: Benefit: 5

ACTION 2 Title of the Action: Facilitated workshops with stakeholders on bear management for production and implementation of management plan (considering trans-boundary character of population) Objective: Reaching highest possible degree of consensus on key management principles, responsibilities and mechanisms for implementation. Description of activities: Inviting the representatives of all stakeholders to a non-governmental venue for a series of two-day workshops facilitated by a neutral and professional facilitator. Work includes presentations of available factual data from research and monitoring, plenary discussions with raising all relevant issues and debate in small groups. Between two workshops, all results are written down and sent to participants. Representatives of interest groups discuss the issues with their base between the workshops. The priorities are the countries in the population range which have no bear management plan jet and no efficient governmental structure. Expected results: - Reaching consensus on key management actions as: - system of damage compensations - conditions for lethal removal of problem bears - conditions for regulated quota trophy hunting - participation in continuous and standardised monitoring - prevention of illegal killing - base for writing (or revising) the bear management plan - after all each country has a Bear Management Plan - the Plan is accepted by all stakeholders as they participated in its production - trans-boundary cooperation in bear conservation and management Responsibility for Governmental body for nature conservation implementation: Timing of the activities: Three two-day workshops held over the period of 6 months. Level of urgency: 4 Cost and potential 18.000 EUR per country (9 countries in the population range) funding sources: Cost is shared by State and EU projects Benefit: 4

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ACTION 3 Title of the Action: Bear Emergency Team training and establishment in each country sharing the Dinara-Pindos population Objective: Train and equip a group of local professionals and/or experts to act properly in any event related to bears and covering the entire bear range in the country. Any country with a bear population needs its own Bear Emergency Team (BET). Description of activities: Inviting the representatives from bear occupied regions of the country for a two-day workshop to train them to act properly in any unusual bear related event. Theoretical sessions systematically review the scope and importance of situations as: inspection of bear damages, survey of protective measures applied, evaluation of risk for human safety and expertise on eventual need for lethal removal. Special attention is given to manage the case of an orphaned bear cub. Practical training includes the work on the bodies of dead bears and on handling the immobilized ones on how to do the measurements and take samples.

Expected results: Trainees will: - acquire the legal status of Team member with signed contract with the government body - Team members will officially inspect the site of each bear related problem situation, act accordingly: urgently if case requires or prepare the report and propose next steps - advise on prevention of problem with bears - advise on eventual need for lethal removal of certain bear - know how to properly take samples of dead bears - know how to properly take measurements of bear body Responsibility for Bear experts for training and relevant governmental agency for implementation: organizing and contracting trainees Timing of the activities: Two day workshops once per year Level of urgency: 1 Cost and potential 20 participants for 2 days by 100 EUR = 4000 EUR per country/year funding sources: (N=9) Benefit: 5

ACTION 4 Title of the Action: Prevention of bear access to garbage. Objective: All organic waste that attracts bears is deposited in the way that bears cannot access it. That includes baskets in natural surrounding and the household bins, municipal containers and garbage dumps. Action should be taken in each country sharing the bear range. Logistically it is to be organized preformed on the local level but with strong governmental support. Description of activities: Initial survey provides list of facilities needed to be mitigated. Bear proof baskets and containers are professionally constructed. Garbage dumps are moved from the bear range or fenced with conventional wire mesh and electric fencing. Illegal dumps are cleaned and closed. Local

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inhabitants are obligated to keep the household waste out of bear reach. Presentations on the importance of the issue and the methods to mitigate the problem are held in each local community. Expected results: - all household garbage local people keep closed indoors or in bear proof containers till the pick up by communal service - garbage bins on public land (for local blocks of houses) or on private land (restaurants, hotels, certain industries) are all bear proof and always closed - garbage dumps are removed from bear range - remaining garbage dumps are bear safe fenced - communal regulations oblige locals to keep household waste out of bear reach - each national park and mountaineers organization in the bear range educates visitors not to leave edible waste in the nature - people do not encounter bears close to settlements so frequently any more and acceptance is improved Responsibility for Bear experts, responsible government agency, local communal implementation: organization, all people in the bear range Timing of the activities: Nine months from spring to fall in one year per single operation. Level of urgency: 5 Cost and potential For one county with one garbage dump: 40.000 EUR. (Household funding sources: containers buy locals privately.) Benefit: 5

ACTION 5 Title of the Action: Economic use of bears: promoting ecotourism and trophy hunting Objective: Give the value to bears. Total profit should exceed the costs related to problems caused by living in the bear country. The social carrying capacity (acceptance) for bears will increase. Trophy hunting is not feasible in countries where population is not big enough and stable. Description of activities: Telling and producing printed materials to local inhabitants showing the potential of bears to attract tourists. Activities include promoting bear educational trails, bear viewing and/or photo hunting, and bear friendly products. For the strong, stable and growing populations the sustainable sport (trophy) hunting is also promoted. Encouraging tourist operators, hunting grounds managers and national parks services to incorporate bears in their programs. Expected results: - each national park in the bear range distributes the leaflet and video material about bears (educational and with safety rules) - each national park in the bear range has one educational bear trail (showing bear habitat, den, diet, some signs like scratching, digging and/or scat) - each national park in the bear range offers a bear tour with attempt to view and/or photograph bears - at least one hunting unit per county offers bear viewing and/or photograph at feeding site - various local products receive a “bear friendly” label

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- bear hunting is promoted in the way that hunters accept the trophy fees acknowledging the high hunting success rate and the good organisation, while convinced in the sustainability of hunting quotas Responsibility for Bear experts, National parks, tourist operators, local inhabitants, implementation: hunting organizations, responsible government body. Timing of the activities: One calendar year. After that should be spontaneously continuous. Level of urgency: 3 Cost and potential 10.000 EUR for promotional activities. funding sources: Benefit: 4

ACTION 6 Title of the Action: Genetic estimation of population trend and size Objective: Estimate the number of bears by use of DNA extracted from non- invasive samples (scats). Should be done in all countries within the bear population range. Description of activities: With coordinated efforts of various stakeholders fresh samples of bear scats are to be collected in ethanol and properly labelled within the entire bear range. Roughly, 3 times more samples should be collected than is the current estimate of population size. In the equipped lab with knowledgeable researchers the DNA is extracted, amplified and sufficient number of microsatellites sequenced. Following the best practice procedure the population size is calculated with relatively narrow margin of error. Expected results: - size of the bear population in one country is known - if done in all countries the whole population size will be known - when repeated the trend will be known Responsibility for Bear researchers, genetic specialists and responsible government implementation: agency. Timing of the activities: Samples collection within 2 months, genetic work and analyses 6 months. Level of urgency: 3 Cost and potential 200.000 – 300.000 EUR for one county with 100 to 1000 bears funding sources: Benefit: 4

ACTION 7 Title of the Action: Genetic status of bear population: diversity, inbreeding, gene flow and uniqueness Objective: The level of genetic diversity in the bear population is known, including the estimation of gene flow and eventual uniqueness (population delineation). Description of activities: Tissue samples are collected from each dead bear, each bear life- captured for research and from fresh scat samples found in the entire bear range. DNA is extracted and a minimum of 16 microsatellites

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sequenced and analyzed. Data are compared with the literature and on- line databases. Expected results: - genetic diversity (heterozygosyty) of bear population is revealed - gene flow within the population segments is revealed - gene flow with the neighbouring populations is revealed - eventual gene bottlenecks are revealed - effective population size is revealed - delineation of populations is possible on the genetic basis Responsibility for Bear researchers, genetic specialists and relevant government agencies implementation: Timing of the activities: When sufficient sample base is collected genetic work and analyses done within 6 months. Level of urgency: 3 Cost and potential 60.000 EUR per country in the bear population range funding sources: Benefit: 3

ACTION 8 Title of the Action: Effect of feeding on bears (in Croatia and Slovenia) Objective: The objective picture of positive and negative effects of exposing food for bears at feeding sites. The long-term effect can be predicted and sound recommendations for feeding management will be produced. Description of activities: All feeding sites in a target area are mapped and the amounts and types of food recorded. Estimated are the amounts eaten by bears, by other animal species or remained not eaten. The behaviour of bears approaching feeding site is monitored by time of the day and by sex and age class of bear. The amount of stress at feeding site is measured by steroid hormones in bear scats (short-term) and in hair (long-term stress). Stable isotopes will be measured in muscle tissues of shot bears and will show the share of the human provided food incorporated in the body mass. Expected results: - known amounts of human provided food offered to bears - incorporation of artificial food into bear bodies - the exposure to stress of bears at feeding sites - the degree of dependency on unnatural food sources - the degree of habituation to humans at feeding sites - the effect on body size, sexual maturity, reproduction rate, cub survival and longevity - results will be useful in various countries Responsibility for Bear experts and hunting organizations. implementation: Timing of the activities: Two calendar years with focus on springs and autumns. Level of urgency: 3 Cost and potential 150.000 EUR for one country funding sources: Benefit: 4

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ACTION 9 Title of the Action: Systematic mortality monitoring (natural and human caused) Objective: Full information of all dead bears in a country with data on location, dates and causes of death. Special efforts to track illegally killed animals. Description of activities: With the help of Bear emergency team and all other sources of information (traffic service, farmers, hunters, and opportunistic findings) the hard data on each bear mortality is recorded. When possible the body is retrieved to the Veterinary Faculty for necropsy. Nature protection inspectors and hunting inspectors are promptly informed on each suspected case of illegal bear killing and requested the information on findings. Expected results: - list of all dead bears in a country in the given year - known distribution of causes of deaths - modelling for calculations on real rate of illegal killing - known trends in the total mortality - orientation in estimating the population size - base for deciding on hunting quota on bears - sex ratio and age (from tooth sections from dead bears) of population known Responsibility for Bear researchers, inspectors and responsible government agency. implementation: Timing of the activities: Continuous for each new year. Level of urgency: 5 Cost and potential 15.000 EUR per country per year funding sources: Benefit: 4

ACTION 10 Title of the Action: Health status of bears (including zoonotic agents) Objective: Reliable insight in disease agents circulating within the bear population: viral, bacterial and parasitic, as well as other potential disorders. Special attention to agents that may affect humans and domestic animals. Description of activities: The bodies of all dead bears that died from other reasons then hunting are retrieved for the necropsy. The life-captured bears are blood sampled for immunological tests. Scat samples are analyzed for parasites. Expected results: - list of microbial agents (viruses, bacteria) - list of parasites (internal and external) - list of diseases that caused eventual bear death - list of zoonoses confirmed (like rabies and trichinellosis cases) - management recommendations to mitigate certain diseases Responsibility for Bear researchers, veterinary specialists and responsible government implementation: agency.

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Timing of the activities: Continuous retrieval of dead bears and collection of other diagnostic materials. Work on diagnosis (identification of pathogens) 1 month per year. Level of urgency: 3 Cost and potential 10.000 EUR per year per country funding sources: Benefit: 3

ACTION 11 Title of the Action: Elimination of inappropriate private holding and exploiting of captive bears Objective: To raise awareness and take measures against the phenomenon of capturing and exhibiting brown bears as roadside attractions or other illegal entertainment purposes Description of activities: To achieve the above objective as a primary activity it is needed to assess the extent of illegally exhibited brown bears in the Dinaric population range, particularly in Albania, Kosovo and Bosnia & Herzegovina where the phenomenon it is more of a concern, through an exhaustive survey and study. In addition, the motivations and actors involved in this activity should be carefully studied, in order to take adequately informed actions. An awareness rising campaign will be conducted in the aforementioned countries, targeted at the general public and informing on the negative aspects of keeping and exhibiting brown bears in public spaces. Moreover, close cooperation with the wildlife protection authorities will be established through the organisation of a series of workshops concerning the phenomenon. With support from authorities, a ‘task force’ will be created to take measures against the illegitimate occurrences and prevent any more bears to be exhibited as roadside attractions or other illegal entertainment purposes in the future. The task force will have the responsibility to confiscate the currently kept captive bears and ensure their rehabilitation in adequate centres. Expected results: - Study report on the extent of illegal bear-keeping in Albania, Kosovo and Bosnia, the motivations behind and actors involved - Awareness campaign against the phenomenon is undertaken - Six workshops (two per country) on the issue of captive bears are held, involving all interested stakeholders (researchers, ngos, central government, local government, local people, business representatives, etc.) - A task force for taking action against the current cases and preventing them for happening in the future is created in each country - Illegally kept captive bears are confiscated and brought to rehabilitation centres Responsibility for Bear researchers, Local NGOs dealing with bear conservation, animal implementation: welfare organisations, ministries of environment in the respective countries Timing of the activities: 2014 - 2017

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Level of urgency: 2 Cost and potential 50 000 euro/year/country funding sources: Benefit: 3

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3.8. Finnish-Karelian population

List of actions: 1. Improving monitoring by extending noninvasive genetic monitoring 2. Guidelines and rules for bear feeding to reduce the risk of human-habituated bears 3. Follow up for sex and age structure among bears harvested in different regions and harvest policy based on scenario models provided by research institutions 4. Protection of beehives and livestock by electric fences 5. Flexible zoning in harvest, to take into account for regionality in human –bear conflict and damage caused by bears 6. Increasing public awareness about bears through educational tools (websites, leaflets, popular articles by experts) 7. Collecting information about the role of Finland’s bears in connections within and between bear populations in northern Europe 8. Workshop on risks and challenges of bear feeding for different purposes

ACTION 1 Title of the Action: Improving monitoring by extending noninvasive genetic monitoring Objective: More precise and reliable population estimates Description of activities: Public launching of the project to get hunters and other local people convinced why this is important, configuration of web-pages, extensive collection of scat sample by hunters at 5-year interval gradually within each province so that entire country will be investigated, DNA profiling, population estimation. Data collection could be started up in Lapland where bears cause most damage to human property by killing semi- domesticated reindeer Expected results: More accurate population estimates Responsibility for Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute, Finnish Wildlife Agency implementation: Timing of the activities: 2014-ongoing Level of urgency: 1 Cost and potential 100 000 – 200 000 euros/year, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry funding sources: Benefit: 5

ACTION 2 Title of the Action: Guidelines and rules for bear feeding to reduce the risk of human- habituated bears Objective: To reduce the risks of bear-human conflict associated with bear feeding Description of activities: Feeding bears for tourist purposes is a common practice in eastern Finland. Feeding bears may bring about a risk of bears coming unwary of people. Presently Finnish legislation does not control this activity properly. Based on available information of bears’ behaviour toward

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humans, including risk assessment, rules and guidelines for feeding bears should be created Expected results: Decrease safety risk that is potentially associated with bear feeding Responsibility for Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Finnish Wildlife Agency implementation: Timing of the activities: 2014-2015 Level of urgency: 3 Cost and potential 50 000 euros funding sources: Benefit: 3

ACTION 3 Title of the Action: Follow up for sex and age structure among bears harvested in different regions and harvest policy based on scenario models provided by research institutions Objective: Sustainable harvest Description of activities: Based on annual population estimates and harvest statistics, research institutions produce each year a Bayesian scenario model that predicts future population size at different harvest rates. Expected results: Higher predictability of bear population development, sustainability Responsibility for Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute, Finnish Wildlife Agency implementation: Timing of the activities: annual routine Level of urgency: 3 Cost and potential 20 000 euros funding sources: Benefit: 3

ACTION 4 Title of the Action: Protection of beehives and livestock by electric fences Objective: Building up protective fences also in the periphery of Finnish bear population, to areas where bears have been recently expanding Description of activities: Bears are causing increasingly damage to beehives in western Finland where they have been recently expanding. In these new bear ranges beehives or livestock are not usually fenced against bears. Expected results: Less damage, better local acceptance of bears Responsibility for Finnish Wildlife Agency implementation: Timing of the activities: 2014- Level of urgency: 3 Cost and potential 20 000 euro/year funding sources: Benefit: 4

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ACTION 5 Title of the Action: Flexible zoning in harvest, to take into account for regionality in human –bear conflict and damage caused by bears Objective: Adaptive management of bear population

Description of activities: Based on regional distribution of bears, regional trends in bear density and damages cause by bears, flexible zoning in bear management could be beneficial. Expected results: Higher reactivity to changing situation Responsibility for Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute implementation: Timing of the activities: 2015- Level of urgency: 5 Cost and potential No cost funding sources: Benefit: 3

ACTION 6 Title of the Action: Increasing public awareness about bears through educational tools (websites, leaflets, popular articles by experts) Objective: Higher acceptance and tolerance toward bears though increased awareness Description of activities: Developing web pages and other educational tools to provide updated and versatile information about biology and ecology, and management of bears in Finland and neighbouring countries. Expected results: Greater public awareness and tolerance toward bears Responsibility for Finnish Wildlife Agency, Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute, implementation: National Board of Forestry Timing of the activities: 2015 - Level of urgency: 3 Cost and potential 30-50.000 Euro/year funding sources: Benefit: 3

ACTION 7 Title of the Action: Collecting information about the role of Finland’s bears in connections within and between bear populations in northern Europe. Objective: Knowledge how populations are connected Description of activities: Continuing genetic analyses across wide geographical scale, concerning Northwestern Russia, Estonia, Finland and Scandinavia and analyse trans-boundary movement patterns by radioed bears. Expected results: Deeper understanding of connectivity among bear populations in Northern Europe

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Responsibility for Universities, Finnish Game and Fisheries Institute implementation: Timing of the activities: 2010-2015 Level of urgency: 3 Cost and potential 50-100.000 Euro funding sources: Benefit: 2

ACTION 8 Title of the Action: Workshop on risks and challenges of bear feeding for different purposes Objective: Potential changes in legislation Description of activities: A workshop where different interest groups and stakeholders will describe their experiences about bear feeding and take part discussions about needs to change legislation concerning feeding wildlife. Expected results: Improved management of bear-human conflict Responsibility for Finnish Wildlife Agency implementation: Timing of the activities: 2014 Level of urgency: 3 Cost and potential ? funding sources: Benefit: 3

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3.9 Pyrenees mountains population

List of actions: 1. Trans-border monitoring of Pyrenean bear population 2. Genetic study of brown bear in Pyrenees 3. Release of bears in central Pyrenees 4. Release of bears in western Pyrenees 5. Implement programs of depredation prevention and provide a protocol to monitor their efficacy 6. Implement actions to improve the acceptance of the bear among the local population 7. Use the bear to promote economic benefits with ecotourism 8. Promote bear-friendly hunting and forestry activities

ACTION 1 Title of the Action: Trans-border monitoring of Pyrenean bear population Objective: To establish common protocols between France, Spain and Andorra for brown bear population monitoring allowing to evaluate regularly its conservation status (population dynamic, population size, spatial distribution, viability analysis). Description of activities: Standardise the sampling methods to collect in the field all bear presence signs (tracks, hair, scats, observations, damages on livestock…). Systematic monitoring will be based on regular visit of transects in areas used by bear or not and on camera trapping. The number of visit and the length of transect per surface unit must be similar. Camera trap design will be based on similar grid size and the grid can be stratified to avoid sampling in unsuitable bear habitats (lakes, towns…). Simultaneously, opportunistic collection of all bear signs collected by people without sampling design will be recorded with similar criteria to evaluate the reliability and the validity of the information. Expected results: - Shared databases for bear signs, observations, camera-trap pictures… - Annual meeting with all teams (Andorra-France-Spain) to evaluate the monitoring, share the information and write a report. - Common assessment of the population status (minimum size of the population and spatial distribution) each year. Responsibility for France: ONCFS/ Equipe ours; implementation: Spain: Governments of Aragon, Catalonia, Navarre; Andorre : Gouvernement, Wildlife department Timing of the activities: Establishing of system: 2 years. Operating of system: continuous Level of urgency: 2 Cost and potential Costs: 60.000 EUR per year for each country (France-Spain) and 4.000 funding sources: EUR per year for Andorra Funding sources: State authorities for each country. Funding for monitoring programs already available Benefit: 5

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ACTION 2 Title of the Action: Genetic study of brown bear in Pyrenees Objective: Develop common non-invasive genetic sampling and analyses in order to evaluate the dynamic of the population and to monitor the genetic effects on demography. Description of activities: Standardise the methods to collect the genetic samples (hair, scats, tissue) in the field and the storage. Use the same sampling design (same sampling periods and same sampling intensity) in order to use the CMR models for abundance estimates. Standardise the methods for DNA extraction, microsatellite analysis and sex determination. Define one or two research laboratories for the examinations and analyses of the samples. Establish a shared database on genetics and cross validation for agreement on consensus genotypes in each laboratory. Improve the analysis if an inbreeding depression is obvious. Expected results: - Same protocols for collect, sampling, storing and analyses. - Annual Reports on genetic results (number of genotypes detected, heterozygosis, pedigree…). - Detection of potential inbreeding depression and propositions to mitigate the problems. Responsibility for France: ONCFS, University of Grenoble implementation: Spain: Government of Catalonia, University Autonomous of Barcelona Timing of the activities: Establishing of system: 1 year Operating of system: continuous Level of urgency: 1 Cost and potential Costs: between 36.000 and 50.000 EUR per year for France and Spain funding sources: Benefit: 5

ACTION 3 Title of the Action: Release of bears in central Pyrenees Objective: Increase the demographic and genetic viability of the population. Description of activities: Two adult females and one male should be the released in core area of central Pyrenees, where at least 20 individuals were detected in 2012. Determination of source brown bear population for the translocation according logistical, ecological and genetic criteria and preparation of the operation with the authorities of the source country (period of capture, administrative and sanitary requirements). Define specific monitoring for the reintroduced individuals (fitting collar with GPS transmitter, schedule for locations…) and determine what to do if the translocated individuals disperse outside bear area. Expected results: - After large movement following the release, spatial settlement of the females in central Pyrenees. - Participation of the females to demography of the population, possibility of births first year after release if females were pregnant at capture. - Increase the genetic variability of the population.

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Responsibility for Government of Catalonia. Collaboration of France who managed several implementation: translocations between 1996-2006. Timing of the activities: One year to prepare the operation, and translocation of the bears the following year. Level of urgency: 3 Cost and potential 80.000 -100.000 EUR funding sources: Governments of Spain and Catalonia, European Commission (Life + project) Benefit: 5

ACTION 4 Title of the Action: Release of bears in western Pyrenees Objective: Restore locally a functional population and establish a meta-population at Pyrenean level with the central one. Description of activities: A minimum of two adult females should be the released in western Pyrenees where only two adult males are present. Determination of source brown bear population (see action 3) for the translocation according logistical, ecological and genetic criteria and preparation of the operation with the authorities of the source country (period of capture, administrative and sanitary requirements). Define specific monitoring for the reintroduced individuals (fitting collar with GPS transmitter, schedule for locations…) and determine what to do if females disperse outside bear area. Expected results: - Initiate a new population thanks to reproduction with resident males - Possibility of exchange of individuals between western and central populations (rescue effect in a model of meta-population) - Increase the viability of the meta population in Pyrenees. Responsibility for Governments of Aragon and Navarra. implementation: Collaboration of France who managed several translocations between 1996-2006. Timing of the activities: One year to prepare the operation, and translocation of the bears the following year. Level of urgency: 1 Cost and potential 80.000-100.000 EUR funding sources: Governments of Spain, Navarra and Aragon Benefit: 5

ACTION 5 Title of the Action: Implement programs of depredation prevention and provide a protocol to monitor their efficacy Objective: Decrease the bear predation on livestock and bee-hives in the Pyrenees to favour the co-habitation with bear. Description of activities: Establishment of a damage prevention program with several actions to prevent bear attacks on livestock and bee-hives.

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Grouping all small flocks from local owners to make up large flocks present in the alpine pastures during summer. Large flocks can be managed by a permanent shepherd and protected against bear attacks more efficiently. Use of electrical fences for large flocks (night places) and for bee-hives. Use of protection dogs for large flocks (more than two), and these dogs will be monitored and changed in case of bad behaviour or death. Hiring of shepherds to protect the large flocks for summer time in the mountains. Expected results: - Improve husbandry methods with night grouping at safe places, use of electric fences and several protection dogs per flock. - Increase the life conditions of shepherds (work conditions, repair old huts or building new one better located with regard to the flock, financial compensation for the extra work associated with the bear presence). - Maintain extensive livestock in the Pyrenees mountains during summer in bear area. - Assessment yearly of the efficiency of the prevention measures. - Two-way dialogue with local stakeholders on problems, weak spots, etc. of program. Responsibility for France: ONCFS. implementation: Spain: Governments of Aragon, Catalonia and Navarre. National and Natural Parks, local inhabitants, livestock organizations. Timing of the activities: A first year and a second year. Level of urgency: 2 Cost and potential 30,000-50,000 EUR for each country. funding sources: Ministry of Agriculture and Ecology for each country. Benefit: 5

ACTION 6 Title of the Action: Implement actions to improve the acceptance of the bear among the local population Objective: To improve the social acceptance of the brown bear among the local population, reinforcing the use of brown bear as a symbol of wilderness in the Pyrenees. Description of activities: Distribution of leaflets and brochure to local inhabitants showing the bear: normative, advantages and problems, biology and ecology of brown bear. Production and exhibition of a travelling show to different villages in bear range. Carrying out of talks and conferences to local people in bear territory. Expected results: - Improve acceptance capacity of local population in the Pyrenees, disseminate the message that bear is part of the Pyrenean fauna. - Printed material as leaflet, posters, etc. - Audio-visual aids. - Conferences and talks to local people.

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Responsibility for France: ONCFS. implementation: Spain: Governments of Aragon, Catalonia and Navarre. Bear experts, National and Natural Parks, local inhabitants, Non- governmental bodies. Timing of the activities: Two calendar years. Level of urgency: 3 Cost and potential 20.000 EUR for each country. funding sources: Benefit: 4

ACTION 7 Title of the Action: Use the bear to promote economic benefits with ecotourism Objective: Simultaneously of the social acceptance (action 6) of bear presence in the Pyrenees, promote economic business and activities to diversify the eco-tourism in mountain zones. Description of activities: Telling and producing printed materials and audio-visual aids to local inhabitants showing the potential of bears to attract tourism. Developing activities including bear educational trails, bear viewing, and bear friendly products. Encouraging tourist operators and National and Natural Parks services to incorporate bears in their programs. Encouraging nature and wildlife business, hotels and restaurants to take advantage the bear image to diversify the eco-touristic offer. Expected results: Positive perception of brown by local residents - Distribution of leaflet and audio-visual material about bears (educational and safety rules) in Natural and National Parks, Bear houses, hotels and restaurants in the bear range. - Creation of educational bear trail (showing bear habitat, den habitat, diet, some signs like scratching, digging, tracks and/or scats. - Creation of bear tour with attempt to view bears. - Creation of one or two more Bear houses. - Various local products with bear friendly label: cheese, meat, honey, restaurant dishes or menu, etc. Responsibility for France: ONCFS. implementation: Spain: Governments of Aragon, Catalonia and Navarre (nature conservation and tourism). Bear experts, National and Natural Parks, tourist operators, local inhabitants, Non-governmental organisation. Timing of the activities: Two calendar years. After that should be spontaneously continuous. Level of urgency: 3 Cost and potential 20.000 EUR for promotional activities for each country. funding sources: Benefit: 4

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ACTION 8 Title of the Action: Promote bear-friendly hunting and forestry activities Objective: Hunting and forestry activities will be respectful with brown bear presence and bear presence must not lead to prevent the continuation of both activities. Description of activities: Telling and producing printed materials and audio-visual aids to hunter and forestry owner showing the interactions between bears and hunting and forest management. How avoid an encounter with bear. How act correctly in case of bear encounter. Carrying out of talks and conferences to local hunters and to forestry owners. Impact study on the bear habitat (denning and refuge sites, food and reproduction areas) of the forestry activities (roads, forest trails, etc.) projects. Expected results: - Distribution of leaflet and audio-visual material about hunting in bear area. - Conferences and talks to local hunters. - Avoid the bear death because of bad customs of hunting. - Avoid the bear attack on hunters because bad customs of hunting. - Avoid the perturbations of hunters and forestry activities on specific areas used by females with cubs. - Guidelines for forest management sustainable with bear presence (avoid the destruction of bear habitats, limit the building of roads or control the access, promote food availability…). Responsibility for France: ONCFS. implementation: Spain: Governments of Aragon, Catalonia and Navarre. Bear experts, National and Natural Parks, hunting organizations, forestry owner. Timing of the activities: Two calendar years. After that should be spontaneously continuous. Level of urgency: 3 Cost and potential 20.000 EUR for each country. funding sources: Benefit: 4

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3.10 Scandinavian population

List of actions: 1. Effects of the current high rates of hunter harvest in Scandinavia 2. Locating bear population sinks (due primarily to illegal mortality) 3. Evaluate the method of population trend estimation 4. Document the effects of forest management on brown bear habitat quality 5. Gene flow between the southernmost subpopulation and the central subpopulation 6. Document gene flow between the Scandinavian and the Northeastern European population in Finland/Northwestern Russia 7. The effects of hunting brown bears with dogs 8. Density dependence in brown bears 9. Can orphaned cubs-of-the-year survive in the wild? 10. Determine landscape features that promote and hinder the dispersal of bears 11. Brown bear predation on reindeer

ACTION 1 Title of the Action: Effects of the current high rates of hunter harvest in Scandinavia Objective: To document the effects of the current high rates of hunter harvest on the population’s trend, demography, and social organization. Design recommendations for managers regarding the probable outcome of given rates of harvest within 1 year from start. Description of activities: This analysis will be based on current rates of data on mortality and reproduction already available from radio-marked bears in the Scandinavian Brown Bear Research Project. This would involve demographic modeling to determine the effects of the current harvest rate and harvest methods. Expected results: - A report detailing the results of the analysis and a scientific paper also reporting the results - A guideline for managers, which estimates the results of different harvest levels (and perhaps methods) on expected population growth. - Report the results in a seminar for managers, in order to answer questions and highlight the usefulness of the results - An evaluation of the degree to which hunter harvest rates in Sweden affect the peripheral bears in Norway Responsibility for The Scandinavian Brown Bear Research Project implementation: Timing of the activities: One year from the start Level of urgency: 3 (the population is large at this time) Cost and potential One year’s wages for a post-doctor or research biologist. A research funding sources: biologist at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences would be ca NOK 715k + overhead (either 10% or 40% + VAT). Total would be ca NOK 790k-1000k in wages and ca NOK 50k in supplies, for a total of NOK 840k-1050k, (NOK 1312k with Norwegian VAT (25%). This would be cheaper in Sweden, but more expensive at the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research. The management agencies of Sweden and Norway are potential funding agencies.

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Benefit: 4 (This should help managers deal with the controversy between the groups wanting more harvest and less harvest of the bear population, especially in a rapidly changing management situation)

ACTION 2 Title of the Action: Locating bear population sinks (due primarily to illegal mortality) Objective: Devise a method to locate population sinks (due primarily to illegal mortality), based on analyses of the genetically based census methods and differences in expected and measured population trend (measured according to the number of bears observed per 1000 moose hunter hours afield). Description of activities: This action would combine available data to locate population sinks, where brown bears probably have a higher mortality rate than suggested by the legal harvest. 1) Work is currently underway as a part of a postdoctoral study at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences to estimate undocumented mortality from repeated genetically based census data. We proposed to apply this method to census data that already exist in Sweden and Norway to locate population sinks. Data are also available on estimated density and trend based on effort- corrected observations of bears by moose hunters. This is collected annually throughout the bear range. Comparing trend with estimated legal harvest rates could also allow us to identify population sinks. Expected results: - Locate potential population sinks where illegal killing might be concentrated - Provide the authorities with spatial information about where to prioritize efforts to reduce illegal mortality - Provide managers with estimates of illegal mortality, which they can use to refine the legal harvest quotas to obtain the desired population level Responsibility for the Scandinavian Brown Bear Research Project implementation: Timing of the activities: This should take about 6-12 months, depending on the difficulty of estimating mortality rates from the genetic data. Level of urgency: 3 (due to the large size of the population today) Cost and potential One year’s wages for a post-doctor or research biologist. A research funding sources: biologist at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences would be ca NOK 715k + overhead (either 10% or 40% + VAT). Total would be ca NOK 790k-1000k in wages and ca NOK 50k in supplies, for a total of NOK 840k-1050k, (NOK 1312k with Norwegian VAT (25%). This would be cheaper in Sweden, but more expensive at the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research. The management agencies of Sweden and Norway are potential funding agencies. Benefit: 3-4. In one study area, illegal mortality has been documented to be a serious problem, but it is not a serious problem in another study area. It is important to document how spatially widespread this problem is.

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ACTION 3 Title of the Action: Evaluate the method of population trend estimation Objective: Critically evaluate the method of population trend estimation based on effort-corrected bear observations by moose hunters and determine factors that may affect it. Design a method to correct for the factors influencing this method to reduce variance and increase its accuracy for predicting trends. Description of activities: Population trend is estimated annually in Sweden using effort-corrected observations of bears by moose hunters and is a major tool used by managers. Although it has been found to reflect population size, the estimator varies in ways that suggest that annual variations in environmental conditions, demographic variation, core/peripheral bear areas, or hunter behaviour are influencing it. We propose to evaluate which factors are affecting the variation around the trend line. Expected results: - Learn which factors besides bear density affect the trend estimator - Build a model to correct for the identified factors - Provide this model to managers, so they can obtain a more accurate trend estimate each year, which less unexplained “noise” Responsibility for the Scandinavian Brown Bear Research Project implementation: Timing of the activities: This should take about 3-4 months of work after started. Level of urgency: 2 (because population estimates to correct the trend estimates are made at 5-10 year intervals and the present harvest level is very high) Cost and potential This might be an appropriate study for a Master’s student with good funding sources: statistical skills (or part of a PhD student’s project). This should therefore not cost very much (ca NOK 10k). Benefit: 4

ACTION 4 Title of the Action: Document the effects of forest management on brown bear habitat quality. Objective: Forestry is the dominant land use in bear habitats in Scandinavia, but its effects on the habitat use and population ecology of bears is very poorly known. However, the Scandinavian brown bear is much more productive than the North American brown bear, where negative effects of clearcut forestry management are well documented. Description of activities: Study the habitat use of GPS-collared bears in a forested landscape dominated by clearcut forestry, looking at how bears react when a part of their home range has been cut, how they select or avoid forest types and ages, the importance of forest management for bear foods (especially berries, ants, and moose calves), and the effect of the size of cutting blocks. This will require advanced spatial analyses. Expected results: - A documentation of the aspects of modern forestry that are positive and negative for bears - Information that can be useful for forest owners who want to give consideration to bears (and revenues from leasing bear hunting) when they plan forestry management activities

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- Forest owners might want to document the effects of forest management when selling their forest products to environmentally aware consumers - This would also help managers when coordinating the management of bears and moose in managed forests Responsibility for the Scandinavian Brown Bear Research Project implementation: Timing of the activities: This project could use existing data (GPS data from bears, forestry data from forest owners). It would probably take 2 years. Level of urgency: 5 Cost and potential This project is ideally suited for a PhD project. The forest industry funding sources: would be the logical funding source. A 3-year PhD project in Norway costs ca NOK 2,150k and a 4-year PhD project in Sweden costs ca SEK 2,680. Benefit: 3 (if it results in better bear habitat)

ACTION 5 Title of the Action: Gene flow between the southernmost subpopulation and the central subpopulation. Objective: The aim is to document gene flow between the southernmost subpopulation in Scandinavia and the central subpopulation, to see if it has increased since it was found to be low. The bear population has increased in size and distribution in Scandinavia, which may have increased gene flow. Description of activities: Using DNA from hunter-killed bears and from the scats collected for population estimates, estimate the degree of gene flow during the 1980-90s with that occurring since 2000. Expected results: Determination of whether or not there still is severely limited gene flow between the southernmost and other bear subpopulations. Responsibility for the Scandinavian Brown Bear Research Project, Laboratoired'Ecologie implementation: Alpine (LECA)Grenoble, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, BioForskSvanhovd Timing of the activities: This might make a nice Master’s project in genetics or part of a PhD project. Level of urgency: 3 Cost and potential Management agencies in Sweden could fund this study. It may cost funding sources: about NOK 500k-1,000k Benefit: 4 (if gene flow is still low, this will highlight that this is still a problem for the population and must be addressed. If not, it is important for managers to know that they no longer have to be concerned with this problem)

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ACTION 6 Title of the Action: Document gene flow between the Scandinavian and the Northeastern European population in Finland/Northwestern Russia. Objective: An earlier study has found indications of low gene flow between the Scandinavian and the Karelian populations. Description of activities: Gene flow and genetic similarity between these two populations should be studied using samples from a larger area, preferably throughout the ranges of the two populations, to assess the degree of gene flow and locate areas where gene flow is restricted. Ideally, the project would identify potential factors hindering gene flow, which would allow managers to address the problem (if there is one). Expected results: - A complete documentation of gene flow between the Scandinavian and the Karelian populations. - Location of areas where gene flow is limited - Information to managers on where efforts to improve gene flow should be prioritized Responsibility for the Scandinavian Brown Bear Research Project, NorwegianInstitute for implementation: Nature Research, BioForskSvanhovd,Laboratoired'Ecologie Alpine (LECA) Grenoble, Timing of the activities: This would probably take at least a year Level of urgency: 2 Cost and potential This would be appropriate as a part of a PhD project and cost about funding sources: NOK 500k-1,000k.Management agencies in Sweden, Finland, and Norway perhaps could fund this study. Benefit: 5

ACTION 7 Title of the Action: The effects of hunting brown bears with dogs Objective: Document the behavioral effects on bears of hunting brown bears with hunting dogs, its efficiency, the effects of the race of hunting dogs and how dogs are used, and whether it results in a higher hunter-caused mortality of female bears with cubs. Description of activities: This study would investigate a relatively new and rapidly growing hunting method for bears in Sweden, using hunting dogs, especially plot hounds. Some groups what plot hounds to also be allowed in Norway. Bears have long been hunted with dogs that hold bears at bay, but the chasing hounds are new. The effects and efficiency of hunting bears by dogs is not well understood and should be known to assess the behavioral and demographic effects of this new type of hunting, especially when harvest levels have increased so rapidly in recent years. This must be addressed with carefully executed trials, using GPS-marked bears, dogs, and hunters to document their behavior, movements, and use of habitats in relation to each other, in addition to the actual hunting efficiency of the dogs. Expected results: - Managers will know the behavioral and demographic effects on the bear population of hunting with different types of dogs

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- Managers can use this knowledge to predict the consequences on the bear population in relation to management quotas - Managers/hunters can more easily harvest problem, depredating, or wounded bears when they better understand how the dogs work - Hunters will learn how good their dogs really are and how to better train them (if needed) - Information may be obtained to address the biologically proper time to close the bear hunting season. Responsibility for the Scandinavian Brown Bear Research Project, Swedish Wildlife implementation: Damage Center Timing of the activities: This will take several years to complete Level of urgency: 3 (because there is evidence that hunting and tracking dogs are not as efficient as once was thought) Cost and potential This study has been started, but it is important that it be continued and funding sources: expanded. Management agencies in Sweden and Norway are funding sources. It may cost NOK 2-3,000k. Benefit: 4 (if the public knows that hunting is humane and that problem or wounded bears are dispatched quickly and efficiently)

ACTION 8 Title of the Action: Density dependence in brown bears Objective: Analyze existing data to determine the effects of density on reproduction, survival, growth, and home-range use in brown bears. Estimate how this affects the effect of hunting on population trends. Description of activities: Only recently have researchers begun to document density dependence in bear populations. As late as the 1990s, no evidence was found in a worldwide review. This is especially important in the many increasing populations in Europe, including Scandinavia, because harvest rates that did not cause population decline at low population densities, may cause it at higher densities. Expected results: - Give managers knowledge about how density dependence affects population parameters, home range size, etc. - Develop models to help managers incorporate density into their harvest models - Estimate “ecological carrying capacity” to contrast it with present, or even “socially acceptable” carrying capacity - Give managers in Norway advice on how large of areas will be required to meet the political goals of the number of reproducing bears in each large carnivore region Responsibility for the Scandinavian Brown Bear Research Project implementation: Timing of the activities: Although we have much of the required data, this project would probably take a couple of years Level of urgency: 3-4 Cost and potential This would be a good project for a PhD student. A 3-year PhD project in funding sources: Norway costs ca NOK 2,150k and a 4-year PhD project in Sweden costs

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ca SEK 2,680. Funding sources are the wildlife management agencies in Sweden and Norway. Benefit: 4 (this would have world-wide benefits)

ACTION 9 Title of the Action: Can orphaned cubs-of-the-year survive in the wild? Objective: Determine whether cubs-of-the-year orphaned during the autumn hunting season can survive in the wild and test the present method of determining whether a female was with cubs when killed, based on mammary development. Description of activities: Every year female bears with cubs are killed by hunters who were not aware of the cubs. If they find them, they report that the cubs are alive, but there is little information available about whether these cubs can survive. Many people in the general public and among hunters believe that these cubs should be killed, to prevent suffering. Also, the mammary glands of hunter-killed females are examined by the Swedish Veterinary Institute to see if they had cubs when shot (these females are protected). However, the method they use has never been validated. We propose to capture and radio-mark orphaned cubs to document their survival rate and to compare evaluations of whether radio-marked females had had cubs with the known reproductive status of these females. Expected results: - Determine the survival probability of cubs-of-the-year that are orphaned when their mothers are killed during the hunting season, in order to help managers decide how to handle such situations - Validate the method to determine if hunter-killed females had been with cubs when they were killed, in order to avoid that hunters are incorrectly accused of killing a female with cubs Responsibility for the Scandinavian Brown Bear Research Project, the Swedish Veterinary implementation: Institute Timing of the activities: The documentation of survival of cubs of the year will take many years to complete. The evaluation of the method can be done in a few months. Level of urgency: 3 Cost and potential The documentation of survival would cost ca NOK 500k per year, but funding sources: methods to capture the cubs have to be perfected. The validation could be a Master’s project or done as a cooperation between the the Scandinavian Brown Bear Research Project and the Swedish Veterinary Institute will little or no extra funding. Benefit: 3

ACTION 10 Title of the Action: Determine landscape features that promote and hinder the dispersal of bears. Objective: As the bear population expands, it is important for managers to know where to expect bears to disperse to and which habitat features hinder

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dispersal. This is an important question in all human-dominated landscapes where bears exist. Description of activities: By following GPS-marked dispersing male and female subadult bears, one can determine which environmental (habitat types), demographic (bear density), and human (settlements, roads, agriculture, etc) factors are associated with the areas through which the bears do and do not disperse. We will also be able to determine how these factors influence where the bears preferred to establish their home ranges. Expected results: - Provide managers with guidelines regarding landscape features that promote and hinder bear dispersal. - Provide managers with guidelines regarding suitable new areas that can be inhabited by bears. - Provide an updated map of suitable areas for bear dispersal and establishment in Scandinavia. - Provide an evaluation of the degree of bear dispersal from Sweden to the peripheral areas in Norway Responsibility for the Scandinavian Brown Bear Research Project implementation: Timing of the activities: This project would require the marking of several subadult bears and would require 3-4 years. Level of urgency: 3 Cost and potential This would make a good PhD project.A 3-year PhD project in Norway funding sources: costs ca NOK 2,150k and a 4-year PhD project in Sweden costs ca SEK 2,680. Funding sources are the wildlife management agencies in Sweden and Norway. Benefit: 4

ACTION 11 Title of the Action: Brown bear predation on reindeer Objective: Studies have documented that brown bears kill a considerable number of privately owned semidomestic reindeer calves during the spring, at least in forested reindeer husbandry areas. Some are calling for a reduction in the bear population to reduce this loss of reindeer. We need information on whether this is also a problem in mountain reindeer husbandry areas and the effectiveness of measures to prevent or reduce predation. Description of activities: Repeat the study conducted in forested reindeer husbandry areas in mountainous areas and conduct rigorous tests of the effectiveness of measures to prevent or reduce predation, in cooperation with reindeer owners. Expected results: - Provide reindeer owners with guidelines regarding measures to reduce or prevent bear predation on reindeer. - A documentation of the effect of bears on the reindeer industry throughout the reindeer husbandry area, which would be useful to managers when setting population goals for bears.

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- Better knowledge about predation rates, which will assist the authorities when deciding fair compensation payments for bear predation on reindeer. Responsibility for the Scandinavian Brown Bear Research Project, Swedish Wildlife implementation: Damage Center Timing of the activities: This project would require the marking of many bears with GPS-collars, pregnant female reindeer with transponders, and intensive fieldwork during both the research phase and the testing of preventative methods phase. It would require 3-4 years. Level of urgency: 1 Cost and potential This would probably cost SEK 10-15 million and could be funded by the funding sources: national departments of Agriculture and/or Environment. Benefit: 5

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