In recent days, we have read comments and accusations claiming that Salviamo l’Orso owns a Defender worth 100,000 euros, while, according to some, those same resources should be allocated to farmers and ranchers. We understand that this issue may spark curiosity and debate. For this reason, we believe it is helpful to clarify a few facts.
The vehicle in question was not purchased by Salviamo l’Orso and was not paid for with funds earmarked for conservation or field activities. The Defender was awarded to us as part of the Defender Awards program, an international competition that recognizes particularly innovative and significant projects in the field of nature conservation and biodiversity protection.
Our association won the award in the category dedicated to wildlife conservation thanks to a project aimed at supporting our efforts in the Roveto Valley, one of the species’ areas of expansion. The project was recognized for its contribution to the conservation of the Marsican brown bear and the promotion of coexistence between humans and wildlife. Achieving these goals requires a constant on-site presence by some of our staff members, in addition to volunteers, as well as the support of the local community, which is, in fact, the primary beneficiary of our efforts.
It is important to emphasize one point: the vehicle is NOT owned by Salviamo l’Orso. It has been provided on a two-year loan-for-use basis so that it can be used for the activities outlined in the award-winning project. At the end of the specified period, the Defender will be returned to the organization that sponsored the award.
We realize that an off-road vehicle may appear to be a symbol of luxury when viewed in a photograph. However, anyone familiar with our work knows that much of what we do takes place in mountainous, often remote areas, along dirt roads, in challenging weather conditions, and in regions where quickly reaching a livestock farm, a farm, a camera trap, or a monitoring site can make all the difference.
We would also like to draw attention to an often-overlooked aspect. The Marsican brown bear is not only a symbolic species of the Apennines but also a resource for the local economy. Every year, it attracts thousands of visitors interested in nature-based tourism, generating benefits for guides, lodging facilities, and local businesses. According to the LIFE ArcPROM project, the media and promotional value associated with the species is estimated at approximately 11 million euros. While we believe that its conservation should not be contingent on economic considerations, preserving the bear means protecting a unique natural heritage and an opportunity for sustainable development in inland areas. This is a responsibility that concerns us all, and one that we have been addressing for years by working alongside livestock farmers, farmers, beekeepers, local governments, and citizens through prevention, monitoring, research, and education on coexistence.
In conclusion, we’d like to offer one final thought. If an Italian organization manages to win an international award thanks to a project developed in the Abruzzo region, perhaps the news shouldn’t be that “it has a Defender.” Perhaps the news is that the work of so many people—scientists, volunteers, technicians, researchers, and local communities—has been recognized as a model of excellence on the international stage.
We are always open to discussion, even when it is critical. We are a bit less so when it comes to the dissemination of incomplete or inaccurate information. We will continue to do what we’ve been doing for over ten years: working in the field to foster a harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife, using all the tools at our disposal. This includes, when necessary, a Defender that does not belong to us but has been entrusted to us specifically to help us do this work more effectively.
The staff of Salviamo L’Orso during the ceremony to hand over the vehicle on a two-year loan.