Brown bear populations expand across Cantabrian Mountains

The brown bear (Ursus arctos) is showing signs of a significant population recovery and spatial expansion across the Cantabrian Mountains in Spain. After nearing extinction in the late 20th century, biological tracking and physical traces such as tracks and remains indicate the species is reclaiming territory.

In Galicia, the bear is returning to historical habitats in the eastern mountains of Lugo, including Os Ancares, O Courel, and Negueira de Muñiz-A Fonsagrada. Recent dynamics also show movement into the Valdeorras-Trevinca and Macizo Central regions of Ourense. While a 2020 census estimated approximately 370 bears in the Cantabrian range, with about 11 in Galicia, the presence of the species is increasingly viewed as an opportunity for local ecotourism and apiculture.

In Asturias, specifically within the Somiedo region, the population is highly concentrated. Estimates suggest that of the roughly 400 bears in the Cantabrian Mountains, as many as 280 may reside in the Somiedo area, making it a primary hub for wildlife observation and ecotourism.