Brown bear population in Catalan Pyrenees reaches 47 in 2024

The brown bear population in the Catalan Pyrenees now includes 47 identified animals, according to data recorded in 2024 by the GSTOP brown bear cross-border monitoring group.

There are 21 female bears, 25 male, and one bear whose gender that experts have not been able to identify. Across the Pyrenees region, there are 96 identified animals.

Last year, 10 cubs were born in Catalonia, two more than in 2023. Across the Pyrenees, 22 cubs were registered: eight males, 10 females, and four more still pending gender identification. 

This figure is higher than the previous year when 16 cubs were detected, eight of which were located in Catalonia. 

According to GSTOP, since 1996, 34 females and 21 males have reproduced, and there is a minimum of 20 females with the potential to have cubs in 2025.

In 2024, five individuals were reported dead or missing, most of them being young bears

There are 13 individuals that were not detected in 2024, but have not been reported as missing yet, since signs of them were found the previous year. 

Habitat expanding

The total distribution area of the brown bear is estimated at around 7,200 square kilometers, which represents an increase of 100 square kilometers compared to 2023 and 1,500 compared to 2022. 

In Catalonia, they are distributed across an area of 1,800 square kilometers.

Since 1996, the bear's habitat area has increased, reflecting a similar trend in the number of animals living in the Pyrenees.