Marsican Brown Bear Population Grows 30% in Central Apennines Rewilding Effort

Rewilding efforts in Italy's Central Apennines have increased the population of the critically endangered Marsican brown bear, a subspecies found nowhere else, from approximately 50 individuals in 2014 to 65 by 2022. The initiative, led by Rewilding Europe and local partner Rewilding Apennines, operates across five coexistence corridors covering more than 100,000 hectares that connect Abruzzo, Molise, and Lazio National Park with Majella National Park and Sirente-Velino Regional Park.

The program established 15 Bear-Smart Communities, installing over 430 electric fences, 57 bear-proof waste containers, and 63 bear-proof chicken coops and gates to reduce conflict with beekeepers and farmers. Locally recruited bear ambassadors train landowners, search for illegal snares, support anti-poaching patrols, and manage camera traps monitoring bear movement. Reflective studs, road signs, optical systems, and reduced speed limits have cut bear-related traffic accidents.

Beyond bear-specific interventions, teams removed 214 kilometers of abandoned barbed wire and five river barriers to enable safer wildlife movement. Two crayfish breeding centers released 4,000 white-clawed crayfish and 400 Mediterranean trout into rivers. Griffon vulture numbers are rising through targeted recovery efforts, and Apennine chamois were reintroduced to Sirente-Velino Regional Park in 2022.

Economic transformation accompanies ecological recovery. As traditional livestock herding and mountain farming declined, Rewilding Europe Capital loans supported four tourism enterprises, including a mountain cottage, two wildlife hides, and a rewilding flycamp. The Enterprise Network for Co-existence now includes 29 small nature-based businesses promoting responsible tourism alongside traditional products such as sheep cheese, mountain flower honey, and herbs.

A partnership with Exodus Travels, launched in 2021, rewilds at least 100 square meters of land for every passenger booking a trip, directly linking tourism revenue to corridor expansion. Since 2020, 158 volunteers from 24 countries have contributed to conservation work, bringing international energy and economic support to local villages.

Cultural engagement includes documentaries such as National Geographic's Europe's New Wild series, a photo book on wolves by Bruno D'Amicis, animations, theatre performances, podcasts, and the international Wild Tales literary contest. The initiative has signed 24 memoranda of understanding across sectors, produced 17 scientific publications, and established 10 university partnerships generating 25 theses.

Team leader Mario Cipollone, who co-founded the NGO Salviamo l'Orso in 2012, aims for significant further growth in the bear population, expansion of its core range, and the return of scavengers, raptors, and European otters. Securing long-term leases for critical habitat in three strategic communities at the northern edge of Abruzzo National Park remains a key priority to address ongoing threats from poisoning, poaching, and livestock-related diseases.