«A large animal that you hardly ever see – that’s fascinating»
In the same year that the first brown bear returned to Switzerland, Curdin Florineth took up his post as a game warden at the Office for Hunting and Fishing in the canton of Grisons. Since then, he has gained around 20 years of experience with dispersing bears. KORA spoke with him.
Who is Curdin Florineth?
Game warden, office for hunting and fishing, Canton of Grisons
- Game warden in the canton of Grisons since 2005
- Previously employed in the Swiss National Park
- Over 20 years of experience handling transient bears
«I like being in an area where he might be.»
© Mayk Wendt
A game warden between humans and bears
When it became clear in 2005 that “there’s a bear in Switzerland again!” – do you remember where you were at the time, how you heard about it, and what went through your mind?
It was my first year as a game warden after transferring from the national park to the Office for Hunting and Fishing. When the bear appeared, we were out together in the Val Müstair. There was a huge excitement – especially among the media and tourists. A first deterrence operation was planned that same evening, but the bear did not show up. What I remember the most is the large crowd of people. This was also because the bear passed by the Ofen Pass several times in plain sight – only when we game wardens were there, it didn’t show up. Therefore, we then named JJ2 «Lumpaz».
«A large animal that one hardly ever sees – that is fascinating.»
What were the first steps you as game wardens took afterwards?
At first, we had to deter the bear because people were getting too close to it. JJ2 also killed a few sheep, which put it even more into the spotlight. In general, public interest was enormous, much greater than it is today. We also sensed uncertainty among hikers and hunters who had encountered the bear themselves. We game wardens had little knowledge on the subject at the time; there were only recommendations on how to behave in the event of an encounter. This first bear came as a surprise to everyone. I also remember how time-consuming it was to record the damage it made.
How did you perceive the mood among the population at that time?
The reactions were intense. Many people were distressed – caught between fear, uncertainty, and the realisation that they could do nothing themselves. We game wardens were constantly asked about it, there was hardly any other topic of conversation anymore. Journalists were contacting us nonstop, sometimes even on our private phones. It was all new to me – and at the time, there was no one at the office to coordinate such enquiries. We were quite exposed.
What challenges did this particular bear (JJ2) pose, and how did you deal with them?
We tried to respond to the widespread excitement with open and transparent communication, which had already proven effective back then. At the same time, there were people who were genuinely afraid. These concerns must be taken seriously – both then and now.
«A wild animal must remain wild – if that is not the case, action must be taken.»
A year later, another bear came to Switzerland (JJ3). Can you describe the circumstances?
JJ3 repeatably came very close to settlements, which caused us quite a bit of work. His behaviour was unnatural, and wherever he appeared, we tried to scare him away. A wild animal must remain wild – if that is not the case, sooner or later it must be removed. Before doing so, of course, attempts are made to scare it away, as it is also defined in the Bear Concept. JJ3 was eventually anaesthetised from a helicopter and radio-collared near Davos, and later shot.
Most bears in Switzerland are inconspicuous and pose no problems. Would you agree with that?
Yes, absolutely. Without technical aids such as camera traps, many bears would remain unnoticed. Often, they only reveal their presence through tracks in the snow. When the snow melts, you get the feeling that they are gone – but they are still here. It is fascinating how such a large animal can move around without being noticed. On one occasion during the hunting season, we had a bear in the area: it was still sighted before the hunt began, but not at all during it – only afterwards were we able to detect it again.
«It is fascinating how such a large animal can move without being noticed.»
How well is the canton of Grisons prepared for the presence of bears today?
The experiences of recent years have taught us a lot. Especially since no human has been put at risk during that time. Today, we are better able to assess their presence, and there is less fear and excitement. In addition, the wolf has taken centre stage. Bears and lynx are now clearly overshadowed by the wolf. Even bears that cause damage are more readily tolerated – not least because they have repeatedly disappeared again, while the wolf remains.
A lot has also been done to protect livestock. Farm animals are better protected, beekeepers protect their apiaries, and there are bear-proof waste bins throughout the Lower Engadine and Val Müstair. This has eliminated an important food source. People have learnt that they too must do their part. For example, they no longer leave rubbish outside their huts for foxes – otherwise they attract larger animals as well. Awareness of this is much greater today, but it took time.
Sven Signer (KORA) in conversation with Curdin Florineth (AJF GR) Sven Signer (KORA) in conversation with Curdin Florineth (AJF GR)
© KORA
What does the return of the bear mean for humans?
For me personally, this is very exciting. I enjoy being outside in an area where it might be: perhaps you might find a sign of its presence. Bears are an asset to nature. Of course, I know that so-called problematic bears can also cause conflicts.
How do you see the future of bears in Switzerland and in the Engadine?
Bears will continue to appear. I expect them to be mostly inconspicuous individuals, and I don’t anticipate an increase in conflicts – although, of course, things could always turn out differently.
The same principle applies to all large carnivores: it is important not to expect too much too soon. If people are given time, they can adapt. Once the framework conditions are clear, ways are found to deal with the presence of large carnivores.
Which moments with bears do you remember particularly well?
The observations from a distance were very impressive: watching a bear searching for food unnoticed from a distance of 1-2 km is something special. Another time, I accidently got too close to one. We had radio-collared a bear, and the next day I wanted to check whether the transmitter was working. I parked my car, went into the forest and came back. When I stepped behind the car, the bear was standing by the driver’s door. We were both surprised. Unfortunately, my rubber bullets were in the car – but the bear moved on of its own accord. Later, I saw tracks on my pickup truck; it seemed as if it had looked inside the car.
How do you imagine the ideal coexistence between humans and bears?
A lot has already been achieved. I would like people not to react immediately when a bear appears somewhere – in other words, not to go and investigate out of curiosity or chase it away. Instead, I would like them to treat it with respect. I have the impression that this has already improved significantly.
What lessons should future generations learn from your experience with the bear?
It is important to keep an eye on the big picture and not overemphasise individual aspects of the issue. Of course, there are problems and conflicts, but alongside them is also an ecological value. When all aspects of an issue are taken into account, the overall assessment is usually positive.
What fascinates you about bears?
What fascinates me is how little we know about them. Their behaviour is difficult to assess — I can gauge a wolf’s behaviour more intuitively. At the same time, we know that a bear can be dangerous if it wants to be. And yet it often seems nice and almost clumsy. This combination makes the bear special.
Finally, is there anything else you would like to share with us – an anecdote or a thought that is particularly important to you?
We should give all animals that disperse to our country a chance and treat them as wild animals. The fact that they come here and stay is a testament to our landscape – something we should nurture and value. If they didn't like it here, they wouldn't be here. We should learn to adapt. Some people are more affected than others, but ultimately it affects us all in some way.
«All animals that migrate into our area should be given a chance – it is a good testament to the quality of our landscape.»
Furthermore, it is important to me that people understand that large predators are wild animals, just like many others. We need to find a pragmatic way of dealing with them – one characterised by mutual understanding.