By the end of World War I, the distribution and numbers of brown bears in the Carpathians were reduced due to strong hunting pressure, deforestation and other human activities. The population was then divided into the larger subpopulation in the Eastern Carpathians and a small isolated one in the Western Carpathians, which consisted of about 15–75 individuals by the end of 1920s. A recent study by Straka and co-authors provides evidence of the genetic differentiation between these two subpopulations as a result of about 100 years of isolation. The authors highlight the need to secure the connectivity between these two population segments. Link to the paper HERE.

In the website http://gatunki.sggw.pl (window "Gatunki" -> "Niedźwiedź" -> "Pliki do pobrania") it is available the draft and Annex of the brown bear management plan for Poland together with the final presentation. Comments to the draft can be sent until 15 February 2011 to the address
Katedra Genetyki i Ogólnej Hodowli Zwierząt SGGW
ul. Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warszawa
fax: 22 5936576
e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
The comments will be forwarded to the General Directorate for Environmental Protection, which is responsible and will decide about the future of the plan.

The management plan for the brown bear in Poland was presented on 29th November at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences. Now the General Directorate for Environmental Protection may take the lead in consultation procedures and paving the way to its implementation. Download the proposal of the plan HERE (6 MB).

The program broadcasted by TVP1 “Nature researchers” dedicates one episode to our research in the Tatra mountains. The episode, entitled “Dancing with bears”, deals with bear diet and winter dens, among other topics. The program was shown in Polish TV in late November and can be watched also online by clicking HERE.

Fot. Martin Straka

On 29^th November at 10:30 the management plan for the brown bear in Poland will be presented in the Warsaw University of Life Sciences. During the conference, the management plans for other species will be also presented.  Remember to confirm your attendance before 25^th November. Download the details of the conference location, program and attendance confirmation at the Polish site.