The brown bear (Ursus arctos), Switzerland’s largest native carnivore, has a complex relationship with the country. Although the bear is deeply ingrained in Swiss history—the capital city of Bern is named for it—its presence in the wild is rare. After a long absence, bears have begun to return, but Switzerland does not host a stable, breeding population. Today, the brown bear’s status is one of transient visitation, primarily in the southeastern regions bordering Italy and Austria.
Historical Extinction
Brown bears once roamed freely across Switzerland, but their range began to shrink significantly starting around the 1500s. As human populations expanded, widespread deforestation and agriculture pushed the bears into higher, more remote alpine valleys. The species was largely eliminated from the Northern Alps and the Jura mountains by the mid-19th century.
The invention of modern rifles accelerated the decline of the remaining populations in the southern cantons of Grisons and Ticino. The final confirmed wild brown bear in Switzerland was an adult female killed by a hunter in the Val S-charl region of the Lower Engadine in 1904. This event marked the extirpation of the species, concluding a centuries-long process of human-driven displacement.
The Return of the Brown Bear
The reappearance of the brown bear in Switzerland resulted from conservation efforts in neighboring countries. Between 1999 and 2002, a reintroduction project in Trentino, Italy, released bears sourced from Slovenia. These bears expanded their range northward, eventually crossing into the Swiss Alps.
The first confirmed sighting in over 100 years occurred in July 2005, when a young male crossed into the Müstair Valley in Graubünden. Since then, Switzerland has experienced sporadic visits, primarily from young males traveling vast distances in search of new territory.
Swiss authorities still classify the brown bear as “Extinct” because there is no evidence of a stable, reproducing female population. Management plans monitor bears that lose their natural shyness of humans. For example, the bear M13 was shot in 2013 after repeatedly entering human settlements and exhibiting problem behavior, despite numerous attempts to scare him away.
Living Alongside Bears
The Swiss government developed management plans to promote coexistence and minimize human-bear conflict. These protocols emphasize proactive measures to prevent bears from associating human areas with accessible food sources. Residents and farmers in Grisons and Ticino are encouraged to use bear-proof bins for waste management.
Agricultural protection focuses on securing vulnerable livestock and beehives, often recommending electric fences. For hikers in known bear territory, the guidance is straightforward: make noise while walking to announce your presence and avoid surprising a bear. Talking loudly or singing allows the naturally shy animals time to move away.
If an encounter occurs, remain calm, avoid sudden movements, and speak softly to identify yourself as human. Never run, as this may trigger a chase response. The official strategy also outlines procedures for dealing with “problem bears,” which are animals habituated to human presence or repeatedly causing damage, potentially leading to their removal or culling if other deterrents fail.