Objective
Avoiding the irreversible loss of the genetic heritage embodied in the last indigenous brown bear population of the Alps is the specific objective of the project. The most significant action to be undertaken will be the release of brown bears taken from the wild in Slovenia, which, according to some recent studies, appear to be genetically undifferentiated from the Trento bears. Sexually active females in particular will be released, to stimulate a revival of births and natural demographic increase. A direct consequence of this measure would be a reduction in the level of the population's consanguinity.
A recovery of the bear population would be an enormously important element in preserving the biodiversity of the entire area, where a cultural context highly favorable for bears exists among the local population. Monitoring activities to follow the evolution of the project are foreseen.
Such an important programme must of necessity be supported by measures for education and dissemination of information, and these measures are to feature the direct involvement of conservationists, hunters and local residents. The project will also be widely publicized at the national level through the media.
A remnant population of the brown bear survives in the Adamello-Brenta park. Estimates put the number of individuals at only five and as no births have been recorded since 1990, the population is clearly and inexorably headed for extinction. That something must be done, would appear to be indisputable.
For years the park authority and the Autonomous Province of Trento have been working for conservation of the bears' habitat and for keeping the animals sheltered from disturbance by encouraging moratoriums on forestry exploitation, prohibiting the opening of new roads and forestry tracks and banning any activities which might lead to disturbance of the bears.
The Park's wildlife management plan includes, as one of its essential chapters, a 'Plan for the Recovery of the Brown Bear', drafted by Prof. W. Schröder of the Wildbiologische Gesellschaft in München (Bavaria). The LIFE project represents part of this recovery plan.
Topic(s)
Data not availableCall for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
38080 Strembo Trento
Italy