130925-studie-wildlife-comeback-in-europe

mation, e.g. between Slovenia and Croatia [13] , there
is no formal plan in place in any of the countries
of occurrence as yet [7] . In Norway, for example,
current policy will not allow for a dramatic increase
in the small local population, although its future
will be secure as long as their neighbours Finland
and Sweden do not change their management
procedures [13] .
Despite stable or increasing population trends,
the Brown bear remains threatened by habitat loss
due to infrastructure development, disturbance,
poor management structures, intrinsic factors,
accidental mortality and persecution [7] . Most of
these are expected to become more important
in the future [7] . However, it is low acceptance by
stakeholders and the public alike that will present
the greatest obstacle in the future conservation
management of this species [31] , especially in areas
where increasing abundance and range expansion
is leading to greater contact between bears and
people. In Finland, 50% still consider the species a
threat to human safety [13] . And although attitudes
towards Brown bears were generally positive in
the Croatian Dinaric Mountains, the public has
become less accepting over time as a result of more
centralised species and hunting management,
and a growing population size [32] . However, often
it is feelings rather than the perceived impact or
indeed knowledge about the species that act as
a stronger predictor of accepted management
options [33] , so there are opportunities to influence
public opinion through continued education.
Active and continuous participation of stakeholders
in management and decision-making,
which includes hunting, can increase the support
of species conservation by evoking a sense of
ownership and control over carnivore populations
[32, 34] , and this will need to be taken into
consideration in any future management of the
Brown bear in Europe.
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