The first phase of genetic monitoring of the Marsican brown bear aimed at estimating the population size with the highest accuracy has been successfully concluded. The activity, carried out mainly in the territory of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park and neighboring areas of expansion of the species, resulted in the collection of 854 hair samples, which will be analyzed by specialized laboratories.
Indeed, remember that censusing a wildlife species does not mean “counting animals one by one” but estimating the number of individuals using scientific methods. The choice depends on species, habitat, area size, and objectives.
In this specific case, genetic material was obtained through more than 400 non-invasive traps, including olfactory traps, natural scratching posts, and locations in the coppice, without any manipulation of the animals and with full respect for the environment. Biomolecular analyses will make it possible to estimate the population size and distribution range of bears in both historical and recently colonized areas.
The project, funded by the PNRR, was implemented by the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security through the Institute of Applied Ecology, with the technical and scientific coordination of ISPRA, and involved numerous agencies and operators. Preliminary results were presented on December 18 in Pescasseroli and represent a fundamental scientific basis for strengthening future strategies to protect the Marsican brown bear.
On the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security website you can read the press release in full and find out the numbers of the project.