As part of the networking actions and exchange of experiences between LIFE projects, in May 2022 two teams of technicians and managers of the Andalusian Government in the LIFE Lynxconnect project have made two visits to the Cantabrian Mountains to learn about the experiences carried out in the framework of the LIFE “Bears with Future” project and different aspects of the management and conservation of the brown bear.

The visits of the LIFE Lynxconnect teams took place from May 3 to 6 and 16 to 19, visiting different work areas in Laciana (León) and the natural parks of Somiedo and Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña and Ibias (Asturias) accompanied by Fundación Oso Pardo technicians and field patrols. In addition to field trips and sharing experiences on the ground, several debate meetings and project presentations have been held in collaboration with the Fundación Patrimonio Natural de Castilla y León (May 6 at the Casa del Parque de Babia y Luna in Riolago and May 17 at the Capercaillie Center in Caboalles de Arriba) and exchange of ideas on carnivore damage management in collaboration with the General Directorate of the Natural Environment and Rural Planning of the Principado de Asturias (May 4 and May 19, at the Visitors Centre of the Somiedo Natural Park). Environmental and technical agents from the Principado de Asturias and the Fundación Patrimonio Natural de Castilla y León, researchers from the Joint Institute for Biodiversity Research (CSIC-Oviedo University-Principado de Asturias) and the Fundación Cesefor and visiting agents from the Cos de Banders corps of the Government of Andorra. In addition to the LIFE Lynxconnect and LIFE Bears with Future projects, aspects of interest from the LIFE Safe Crossing, LIFE SoriaForestAdapt and H2020 Superb projects have been presented and discussed.

The visits have made it possible to exchange ideas and practices related to the conservation of these species and their habitats, conflict management and the resolution of the new challenges generated by the recovery of the Iberian lynx and brown bear populations.