The Forest Science and Technology Center of Catalonia (CTFC), in Solsona (Lleida), hosted managers and scientists who work with brown bear populations on both sides of the Pyrenees and with other European populations, from 27 to 29 May. The meeting, now in its third edition, was organised by the Research Network on Brown bear in the Pyrenees (ROPE).

The Pyrenees are seeing a recovery in their bear population, which now numbers over one hundred individuals. The challenges of coexistence with human activities are not very different from those faced by other small bear populations across Europe. In this context, the Brown Bear Foundation (FOP) was invited to give a presentation entitled “Coexistence between People and a Growing Bear Population in the Cantabrian Mountains”, based on the experience gained through the project LIFE Human Bear Coex, coordinated by FOP and funded by the European Union.

The meeting provided an excellent opportunity to learn about progress in bear conservation in the Pyrenees, as well as to take part in a valuable exchange of experiences, knowledge and ideas with the participants.