This project seeks to contribute to the conservation of the brown bear in the Cantabrian Mountains.

This project seeks to contribute to the conservation of the brown bear in the Cantabrian Mountains by carrying out actions included in the Strategy for the Conservation of the Cantabrian Brown Bear. The initiative will help to create and maintain employment in rural areas and will contribute to the monitoring of the Cantabrian bear population, as well as to promote information on the species and environmental education and training activities.

The project’s activities include:

• For the location and reporting of poachers, illegal snares and poisoning episodes:

1.1 Itineraries and waits to locate poachers
1.2 Searching for snares and poisons in times of increased risk

• To know the census of bears with cubs and the evolution of the population:

2.1 Waiting for direct observation
2.2 Itineraries to locate traces
2.3 Photographs and filming to differentiate family groups
2.4 Surveys of third-party observers

• To support beekeepers:

3.1 Provision of electric fences (may include installation), distribution of information leaflets

• For the training and awareness of students and visitors to Natural Parks in the Cantabrian bear areas:

4.1 Guided didactic itineraries and/or talks-debate for students
4.2. Guided tours for visitors in Natural Parks

During the execution of the project , 11 illegal snares have been located and deactivated, significantly reducing the probability of bear deaths by people, as well as numerous days have been dedicated to monitoring the population, improving knowledge of the species and advancing in the census of bears with cubs. Likewise , local beekeepers have been supported through the delivery of 250 electric shepherds for the protection of their hives. Finally, the entity has worked intensely to raise awareness among the population, through routes in the countryside and attention to the different visitors to the bear houses in Liébana and the Palencia Mountain, as well as in the interpretation center they have in Somiedo.