Bear Smart Community Alto Molise

by Angela Tavone, translated by Charlie Hart

Illustration by Cecilia De Sanctis, graphic by Mario Tavone

The presence of the bear in Alto Molise (High Molise) is not a new occurrence, having been reported in the past. However, in 2018 and 2019 reports increased, making us more confident that this area acts as a wildlife corridor between the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park and the Majella National Park may be used more and more by bears.

One of the priority actions of Salviamo l’Orso is to work to increase social acceptance of the bear in the 56 local communities.

Thanks to the availability of our own volunteers, our organization tried to replicate the “Bear Smart Community” model, to implement the best practices of damage prevention and man-bear coexistence, that have been implemented in Pettorano sul Gizio and Rocca Pia since 2015. This model has been shown multiple advantages for:

  • The whole community of residents and visitors/tourists, with increased sensitivity and commitment to nature conservation residents learns to live with a very precious and iconic species to the area.
  • The natural environment, which is in turn better protected and where necessary, restored (i.e. through restoration actions, such as cleaning illegal landfills and removing barbed wire).

2018

Ph: Erennio Amatuzio

In 2018 the Alto Molise region was frequently visited by Peppina and her three cubs, in addition to at least one other individual. The reports are based on direct observations, which were followed up by the identification of some damage to small livestock farms in the municipalities of San Pietro Avellana, Sant’Angelo del Pesco, Castel del Giudice and bordering Ateleta, in Abruzzo. In order to compensate the farmers involved, Salviamo l’Orso carried out the following actions:

  • Reimbursement of bear damages: a total of €3,200
  • Installation of 6 electric fences to prevent future damage to domestic animals;
  • Organization of 2 informative public meetings with the local communities: the first one was on 20th October at San Pietro Avellana, which many people attended, including representatives of the municipality and of the Molise Region; the second one was on October 21st at Montedimezzo.

2019

Ph. Linda Marcovecchio

In 2019 Alto Molise was again visited by Marsican bears, particularly in the municipalities of Castel del Giudice, San Pietro Avellana, Vastogirardi, Carovilli and Pescolanciano. This happened especially during the period of time when the bear must consume high volumes of food, but fortunately no damage occurred. Alto Molise is an area of great interest for the species, so the volunteers’ work was focused on increasing damage prevention measures and awareness in the local communities. This included:

  • 3 more electric fences have been installed (therefore 7 in total since 2018), 3 bear-proof doors and 2 bear-proof chicken houses, in addition to all necessary inspections and ongoing maintenance work;
  • In April, a collaboration agreement was signed with Intramontes, the Molise Region, the ASSOMAB Consortium, the Man & Biosphere Reserve Collemeluccio-Montedimezzo Alto Molise and the GAL (Group of Local Action) Alto Molise to make bear conservation more efficient in this region
  • Dissemination meetings were organized for the communities of Vastogirardi and Carovilli, as well as educational activities in the field with the students;
  • Monitoring and training projects focused on wildlife are being prepared;
  • In agreement with the Molise Region, a voluntary monitoring of natural food sources has been initiated in the municipalities of Alto Molise (and Alto Volturno) in order to identify possible food sources for the bear that require protection;
  • An initial wildlife-vehicle-collision-risk assessment is underway in order to intensify road-kill mitigation measures, starting with the SS 652, where a six-year-old bear was run over and killed on 22nd of August!

In terms of damages to farmyard animals in Alto Molise, 2 damages occurred in 2014, and 11 in 2018; all of them were well compensated. In 2019 no damage to farm animals was registered.

Ph. Mario Cipollone

A community is considered bear smart when its inhabitants put in place a series of initiatives aiming to protect the species whilst protecting and enhancing its ecological, economic, social and cultural value.

The initiative ‘Bear Smart Community Alto Molise’ aims to support the natural spread of the Marsican brown bear population within this area suitable for its survival. In doing so, it is hoped that there will be a reduction in conflict between the bear and local communities.

The above-described interventions were carried out thanks to the generosity of our members, a sponsorship from Rewilding Apennines and the successful collaboration with the veterinarians of the ASREM, the Forestry Carabinieri, the mayors of the Municipalities involved, the Majella National Park and the local association Intramontes.