The brown bear in Greece

Habitat alteration, hunting (illegal after 1969) and poaching have restricted the remaining and declining Greek brown bear (Ursus arctos L.) populations to the most remote mountainous areas of northwestern and northeastern Greece. These bear populations, which do not exceed 150 individuals, are divided into two distinct nuclei. These populations communicate with bear populations in neighbouring countries and represent the southernmost distribution of the bear in Europe. Although protected as a threatened species, habitat alteration and poaching still widely occur, while financial compensation for bear-damage on livestock, beehives etc. (often unconfirmed) hardly exists. Further protection measures such as public awareness, severe habitat conservation policies, efficient game wardening and scientific research are urgently needed to assure the survival of this endangered species.