This initiative, inspired by the successful program in the Cantabrian Mountains, represents a strategic shift in the Pyrenees, where GPS tracking of bears had been discontinued six years ago. The goal is to prevent risky situations before the animals become a potential danger to populations or herds.
“"Currently, there are no potentially dangerous bears in Aran, but those that are starting to lose their fear of humans will be identified: There are some bears that tend to approach villages very closely, and that is what we must prevent."
The Aran government's decision aims to overcome past negative experiences, such as the death of the bear Cachou, one of the last GPS-tracked specimens in the Pyrenees, who died from poisoning. Current protocols will be updated to prepare for the capture of bears before their habituation to humans reaches a critical point.
This new approach marks a turning point, as in recent years, coexistence between bears and livestock has primarily focused on prevention measures for herds. Now, attention is also being directed towards bear behavior.
“"It is a decision we have thought about a lot, because the experiences of recent years did not allow us to take initiative in this area. Now we have done it because it is a demand from the livestock sector."
The Val d'Aran will be the first territory in the Pyrenees to resume this geolocalization strategy, based on the successful experience of the Cantabrian Mountains. The Conselh Generau is preparing a capture plan that will need approval from the Ministry for Ecological Transition and could be implemented in the coming weeks.
This initiative is also part of the cross-border European project LoupO Coexistence, promoted by the Interreg VI-A Spain-France-Andorra Program (POCTEFA 2021–2027), which seeks to reconcile the presence of wolves and bears with rural activities in the Pyrenees. Support from the MITECO will enable the Conselh Generau d'Aran to execute this bear monitoring plan with GPS collars.
