The Iberian brown bears have significantly recovered from the near extinction they faced in the 1980s, now possibly exceeding 500 specimens. This recovery is mainly due to the hunting ban, the creation of ecological corridors and the establishment of protected areas in Spanish territory.
The species was on the brink of extinction in the 1980s, when only about 60 individuals remained in the wild. The conservation measures implemented allowed for a gradual and consistent recovery of the population over the last decades.
Currently, new challenges arise related to the genetic diversity of the population, which has become more limited due to the low number of founding specimens, and with the impact of tourism in the areas where the bears live.
The recovery of Iberian brown bears is considered a success case in the conservation of threatened species in Europe, although experts warn of the need to continue monitoring the population and managing conflicts with local communities.
