The European Brown bear used to be widespread and found in almost every European country. They became extinct in the UK in the middle ages but, amazingly, bears still cling on in most countries in Europe, though it is unlikely that they will hang on for much longer in France and Spain. Romania has a population of over 5000 bears, and most Balkan countries have relatively stable populations totalling around 2000 animals.
Bears have even started to repopulate some alpine regions and have been seen in Austria and Switzerland in recent years. Recently (May 2006) a bear crossed from Italy through Austria and Swittzerland into Germany, becoming the first bear seen in the wild there for 170 years. Welcomed at first, the bear killed some sheep and the German authorities decided that the bear was unwelcome. However before they could catch up with it it crossed back into Austria. (Update; the bear was eventually shot in Germany).
Northern Europe has good populations of bears, probably numbering around 1200 spread through Norway, Sweden and Finland. Though probably declining in numbers, Russia and the countries of the old USSR have very large populations and some of these move westward into neighbouring countries. Most countries of central Europe have populations of varying sizes, with around 1500 bears spread across Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, Poland Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
Bears have even started to repopulate some alpine regions and have been seen in Austria and Switzerland in recent years. Recently (May 2006) a bear crossed from Italy through Austria and Swittzerland into Germany, becoming the first bear seen in the wild there for 170 years. Welcomed at first, the bear killed some sheep and the German authorities decided that the bear was unwelcome. However before they could catch up with it it crossed back into Austria. (Update; the bear was eventually shot in Germany).
Northern Europe has good populations of bears, probably numbering around 1200 spread through Norway, Sweden and Finland. Though probably declining in numbers, Russia and the countries of the old USSR have very large populations and some of these move westward into neighbouring countries. Most countries of central Europe have populations of varying sizes, with around 1500 bears spread across Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, Poland Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
Brown and Polar bear watching in EuropeThe best places to see brown bears in Europe are probably Romania and Finland, both of which have an organised bear watching industry. It is also possible to see Polar bears in Spitzbergen, which, though not an easy or cheap place to get to, is truly spectacular once you are there. It also has the advantage of seeing truly wild bears in a truly wild setting, rather than the semi habituated bears of Churchill in Canada. When seen from an icebreaker, roaming the pack-ice in search of seals, they are so much more impressive than hanging around the edge of town, and sniffing at the custom made tundra buggies.
However the Churchill bears are much more accessible, you are virtually guaranteed sightings at the right time of year and you can get very very close, so it is still worth a trip if you want to see Polar bears.
Black and Grizzly bear watching in America and Canada
Black bears and Grizzlies are both numerous in Alaska and Canada, particularly in British Columbia and on Vancouver Island. Waterton Lakes Park is crawling with bears, and, to make it more exciting, most of it is only accessible on foot. Grizzly bear viewing trips to the Knight Inlet in northern British Columbia can be pre-booked but numbers are limited to this sensitive reserve so you must book in advance. Grizzlies have declined massively in the States, but there are still 1500 roaming around (compared with 10,000 in BC and 30,000 in Alaska) and Yellowstone is the place to head for.
Black bears and Grizzlies are both numerous in Alaska and Canada, particularly in British Columbia and on Vancouver Island. Waterton Lakes Park is crawling with bears, and, to make it more exciting, most of it is only accessible on foot. Grizzly bear viewing trips to the Knight Inlet in northern British Columbia can be pre-booked but numbers are limited to this sensitive reserve so you must book in advance. Grizzlies have declined massively in the States, but there are still 1500 roaming around (compared with 10,000 in BC and 30,000 in Alaska) and Yellowstone is the place to head for.
Bear watching in Asia and South America
Sun bears used to range across south East Asia and Sloth bears in south Asia. They can both be seen in a few national parks but they are both very hard to see. Spectacled bears are found in the north-west of South America, but there are only 2000 left in the wild and they are very hard to find.
No comments:
Post a Comment