The bear population continues to consolidate in the Pyrenees, with a balance of 76 specimens recognized in the 2022 balance presented last March by the experts of the Brown Bear Cross-Border Monitoring Group (GSTOP). Last year 13 bear cubs were born in the Pyrenees and in 2021 15 new cubs were registered. This year's birth rate still has no balance but some of the newborns seem to have already made their debut in society.
A video filmed recently in the area of the Alt Pyrenees natural park shows a female with three cubs, in what could be the first images of bear cubs born in 2023 and also the first filming of brown bear triplets in this demarcation and season. In the period 1996-2022, 10 litters of three bear cubs have been detected in the Pyrenees; which represents 14% of the 71 known litters, according to data from experts in monitoring this species.
The images were captured by Salvador Colomé, a member of the Agents Rurals corps in the Parc Natural de l'Alt Pirineu and show the family in good health eating peacefully in a wooded area. Salvador Colomé has spread the images through his personal page on his Instagram. The French coordinator for the monitoring and protection of the Pyrenean bear Association Pays de l'ours has reproduced the video on its YouTube page. "Thanks to him for allowing us to publish the exceptional video of him!", Highlights this French protectionist entity.
The images captured by Salvador Colomé, as well as the possible traces left by the four members of this family will be analyzed by the experts in order to determine their identity.
Data from the 2022 census indicate that a total of 13 new calves from eight different females were registered. This is the third highest figure recorded after 2020 and 2021 (with 9 reproductions). The females that have reproduced are those known by these names:
- Bambou (with 2 puppies): Aran
- Aran (2): Aran
- Boavi (1): Pallars Sobirà
- Plume (1): Pallars Sobirà and Francia
- Callisto (1): France
- Gaia (2): France
- Reglisse (2): France
- New18-11 (2): France
The data analyzed also show that the pups born correspond to six different males, "which means that an important exchange of genetic information is beginning to take place between the reproductive individuals of the population," the technicians of this organization emphasize.
In 2021, 15 new offspring were registered, from eight different females. The females that reproduced in 2021 are those known by the names of Caramelles (with 2 puppies), Caramellita (3), Sorita (3) Beret (1), Bulle (1), Reglisse (1), New18-04 (2 ) and New18-06 (2).
