The Bear Foundation of Asturias (FOA) is developing a project to improve the living conditions of Cantabrian brown bears.

The Bear Foundation of Asturias (FOA) has launched the project “Working on the well-being of captive Cantabrian brown bears” with the support of the Biodiversity Foundation.

The objective of this project was to consolidate in the Bear Foundation of Asturias techniques and work habits with captive Cantabrian brown bears aimed at maximizing their well-being, acquiring the physical and psychological skills necessary to be able to live in freedom within the Cantabrian bear population. To this end, work has been done on improving the facilities and working techniques of the enclosures.

The Bear of Asturias Foundation houses in its facilities the only specimens of Cantabrian brown bear in captivity. He has also participated in some of the experiences of handling and releasing orphaned and injured bears that have occurred in the Cantabrian Mountains in recent years.

This is the first initiative that contemplates the evaluation and improvement of the living conditions of captive Cantabrian brown bears through environmental and social enrichment actions in the enclosures where they are found. Actions that were based on clinical, nutritional and behavioural follow-ups and on the reinforcement of staff training.

The project has involved the implementation of a line of work in which the FOA intends to continue deepening in the future, these lines of work inaddition to improving the welfare of captive animals has made known the work developed by the FOA.