Kora
20 Years of Bears in Switzerland
Since the return of the brown bear 20 years ago, Switzerland has gained experience in dealing with large predators. Most individuals roam the country unnoticed, and conflicts such as ransacked beehives are rare. A flyer and a new web file document two decades of bear presence and hint at what the future might hold for Ursus arctos in Switzerland.
In the summer of 2005, the first brown bear returned to Switzerland. Since then, up to three young males have migrated from the Trentino region in Italy almost every year. Some stay for only a few days, others for several months – one even stayed here for years. But so far, none of them have settled down.
Over the past 20 years, Switzerland has gained valuable experience with bears. A look at all the individuals recorded since 2005 shows that the vast majority behaved inconspicuously. They wandered through the country, lived rather hidden lives, and moved on.
The 20th anniversary is an occasion to publish a comprehensive web file. It looks back on times when bears still lived in Switzerland, tells stories – such as that of M29, the «first Bernese bear since the heraldic animal» – and ventures beyond the country's borders. Experts who deal with Ursus arctos in their professional lives tell their stories, and interactive graphics provide new insights. The file also pays special attention to the future prospects for bears in Switzerland.
In addition, a flyer has been produced that provides concise information about bears in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. It is available in all national languages as well as in English, both digitally and in print.
The bear file was produced in collaboration with the hunting administration of the canton of Grisons and other partners: the Grison Museum of Nature, the Swiss National Park, and the «Tierpark Bern». The project is financed by private foundations.
© Fadri Wehrli