Tag Archives: Brown bear

Debate Ensues Over the Best Methodology for Cantabrian Bear Census as Genetic Analysis Sparks Controversy

In the lush wilderness of the Cantabrian Mountains, an ongoing debate is stirring within the conservation community regarding the most accurate methodology for assessing the population of Cantabrian bears, an iconic and endangered species native to northern Spain.

For decades, the traditional method of estimating the bear population relied on an annual census of bears with cubs. However, recent shifts in policy by several regional governments are advocating for an exclusive reliance on genetic analysis for this purpose.

Continue reading Debate Ensues Over the Best Methodology for Cantabrian Bear Census as Genetic Analysis Sparks Controversy

Somiedo Experience

If you looking for a wildlife holiday in Northern Spain then take a look at Somiedo Experience! This company offers a wide variety of activities and experiences in the Parque Natural de Somiedo, including bear watching, hiking, mountain biking, bird watching, photography, and cultural tours.

Somiedo Experience is committed to providing guests with an authentic experience of the natural beauty of Somiedo. They focus on small group tours (maximum 8 people) and choose the most appropriate paths based on the weather and the behavior of the native fauna. This ensures that guests get the most out of their time in Somiedo and have a truly memorable experience.

Somiedo Experience
Local guides have the knowledge to help you find and photograph the Cantabrian brown bear.
With Somiedo Experience, you can:
  • Spot bears in their natural habitat
  • Hike through stunning mountain ranges
  • Bike through lush forests
  • Watch birds of prey soaring overhead
  • Capture stunning photos of the landscape
  • Learn about the rich cultural history of Somiedo
Contact Somiedo Experience

Ronda Today

Everything you need to know before you visit Ronda “The city of dreams” in Andalucia. https://www.rondatoday.com/

The Caminito del Rey

Find tickets for the Caminito del Rey: https://www.caminodelrey.es/

Wildside Holidays – Spain

Take a trip on the Wildside! Discover the wildlife and nature of Spain, its Natural and National Parks and find the top wildlife, activity and walking holiday companies.

Iberia Nature Forum

Struggling with identifying those bugs and beasties? Why not check out the Iberia nature Forum!

Discover the Iberia Nature Forum – Environment, geography, nature, landscape, climate, culture, history, rural tourism and travel.

Wildmoral wildlife tours

Wildmoral wildlife tours specialize in a range of locations in Spain and their nature tourism offerings encompass:

  • Wildlife watching tours
  • Photography tours
  • Interpretive walking
  • Wildlife watching trails
  • Tracking days
  • Photography courses
  • Nature orientated family activities.
Lynx watching from a hide in Andújar (Andalucia)

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of the Mediterranean forest and capture stunning photographs of the magnificent Iberian lynx from a specialized hide.

Wildmoral lynx tours

Located in the serene countryside of Andújar, Jaén, this hide offers a prime vantage point in a clearing, where lynxes frequently cross while on the move or hunting. With its spacious window and comfortable setup for up to 5 photographers, you can observe the lynxes natural behavior while remaining hidden, ensuring an unforgettable photography experience.

Bear watching in the Somiedo Natural Park (Asturias)

This tour takes place in the Somiedo Natural Park, where you’ll have the opportunity to observe the majestic Cantabrian brown bear and other wildlife.

Wildmoral bear tours

Based in Pola de Somieda, Asturias, a prime location for bear sightings, Wildmoral provide up to four observation points equipped with telescopes. While sightings depend on day to day conditions, there are options to explore stunning trails, keeping an eye out for chamois, red deer, roe deer, wildcats, wild boar, and possibly even Iberian wolves.

You can choose an all-inclusive option or, if you are in the area you can join in with scheduled activities.

Wolf watching in the Sierra de Culebra (Castilla y Leon)

The Sierra de la Culebra mountain area in Zamora is known for its dense population of Iberian wolves and long-standing family groups. there are four observation sessions at key spots equipped with telescopes, offering a chance to witness these magnificent creatures.

Wildmoral wolf tours

While encounters depend on nature and its conditions, there are also outings for tracking trails, learning how to identify Iberian wolf tracks and exploring the local wildlife. Also included is a visit the Iberian Wolf Centre in Puebla de Sanabria for a guided tour, where you’ll gain valuable insights into the animals’ behavior, their relationship with humans, and the opportunity to observe them in semi-freedom.

You can choose an all-inclusive option or, if you are in the area you can join in with scheduled activities.

Photography hides across Spain

For those seeking a closer connection with nature, Wildmoral also provide a selection of photography hides. These hides offer a unique opportunity to capture unforgettable moments and take photographs of the wildlife.

See our dedicated page for Wildlife hides in Spain here: https://wildsideholidays.co.uk/finding-wildlife-photography-hides-in-spain/

Contact details for Wildmoral wildlife tours

Ronda Today

Everything you need to know before you visit Ronda “The city of dreams” in Andalucia. https://www.rondatoday.com/

The Caminito del Rey

Find tickets for the Caminito del Rey: https://www.caminodelrey.es/

Wildside Holidays – Spain

Take a trip on the Wildside! Discover the wildlife and nature of Spain, its Natural and National Parks and find the top wildlife, activity and walking holiday companies.

Iberia Nature Forum

Struggling with identifying those bugs and beasties? Why not check out the Iberia nature Forum!

Discover the Iberia Nature Forum – Environment, geography, nature, landscape, climate, culture, history, rural tourism and travel.

Field work for the first national genetic census of the Cantabrian brown bear.

The autonomous communities of Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and Castilla y León, in coordination with the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO), have completed the field work of the first genetic census of the Cantabrian brown bear, which will now continue with the genetic individualization work by the University of Barcelona.

Field work carried out in the forest regions in the provinces of Zamora, León, Palencia and Burgos.has involved more than 150 people for four months, including forestry workers, biologists, environmental agents and with the collaboration of the Brown Bear Foundation.

Read the full press release (In Spanish) here.

Field work brown bear census 28 jan 2021 map
Field work brown bear census 28 jan 2021 map

The above map shows that of the 292 areas surveyed, 136 areas show indications of the presence of brown bear. (69 in the western subpopulation and 67 in the eastern subpopulation).

All the samples collected in Castilla y León have been sent to the University of Barcelona for genetic individualization in order to better estimate the population through genomic techniques The Junta de Castilla y León considers it especially relevant to know the kinship and connectivity relationships, as well as the level of inbreeding of the different specimens of the Cantabrian population, especially considering the recent exchange of specimens between the eastern and western subpopulations of the Cantabrian Mountains.

As well as in the determination of individual inbreeding (degree of relationship between parents) and kinship relationships between specimens, which will help to know the degree of connectivity between the different subpopulations.

Read more about the brown bear in Spain here