Bears have roamed the European continent for thousands of years, shaping ecosystems and interacting with human populations. While their historical range was once vast, their distribution has significantly altered over centuries due to habitat loss and human activities. Today, bears are found in various parts of Europe, often concentrated in specific regions and territories.
European Brown Bear Distribution
Brown bears (Ursus arctos) are the most widespread bear species in Europe, inhabiting diverse European landscapes. Their populations vary in size and stability, with some thriving in extensive wilderness areas and others existing as smaller, more isolated groups. Russia, particularly its European part, holds the largest brown bear population, with estimates around 36,000 individuals.
Romania hosts a significant brown bear population, estimated at 10,419-12,770, primarily concentrated in the Carpathian Mountains. Other Central and Eastern European countries also have notable populations, including Slovakia with around 2,500 bears, Croatia with about 1,000-1,200, and Slovenia with approximately 600-1,100 bears. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Albania, and Serbia contribute to a larger Dinaric-Pindos population spanning the Balkans.
Northern Europe’s Scandinavian and Baltic regions also host brown bears. Sweden has a population of roughly 2,800-3,000 bears, while Finland has about 1,600-2,100 individuals. Estonia has an estimated population of 700-1,100 bears, and Norway has a smaller population of about 70-100 bears. Further south, Italy has populations of 40-60 Marsican brown bears in the Apennine Mountains and smaller groups in the Alps. Spain’s Cantabrian Mountains support 210-330 bears, and a shared population of approximately 96 bears exists in the Pyrenees between Spain and France.
Polar Bears in European Territories
While brown bears are found on the European mainland, polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are primarily found in specific Arctic territories associated with European countries. Norway’s Svalbard archipelago is a prominent habitat for these marine mammals. While the Barents Sea region’s population is cited around 3,000, approximately 270-300 polar bears remain on Svalbard year-round.
Polar bears are adapted to Arctic life. They depend on sea ice for hunting seals, their primary food source, and use the ice for movement, mating, and resting. The Svalbard and Barents Sea population is interconnected, with some bears migrating between the archipelago and other Arctic areas.
Conservation and Coexistence
Bears in Europe inhabit remote, mountainous, heavily forested areas, providing food and refuge from human disturbance. Their presence in these habitats signifies the health of broader ecosystems. Conservation efforts across Europe protect and restore bear populations, often guided by directives like the EU Habitats Directive and the Bern Convention.
These efforts involve designating protected areas, implementing management plans, and combating illegal hunting, a threat in some regions. Initiatives ensure bear population persistence by addressing challenges of human coexistence. Strategies include providing bear-resistant waste containers, installing electric fences to protect livestock and beehives, and using livestock guarding dogs. Compensation for bear damages also fosters coexistence and reduces human-wildlife conflict.