The population of brown bears in France is now so small that the species might become extinct in the near future, according to a study, but introducing new females to the region could help reverse the decline.
The research, published in online journal PLos ONE, suggests the bear population is suffering from having a greater number of males and that adding females would not just boost its numbers but help tackle some of the reasons behind the decline.
"Our results suggest that having a viable bear population in France requires further translocations. In particular, male bears need more females," said Guillaume Chapron of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, who led the study.
The brown bear population in France disappeared from most of the country during the 20th century and now survives only in two separate communities in the Pyreness mountain range.
The research, published in online journal PLos ONE, suggests the bear population is suffering from having a greater number of males and that adding females would not just boost its numbers but help tackle some of the reasons behind the decline.
"Our results suggest that having a viable bear population in France requires further translocations. In particular, male bears need more females," said Guillaume Chapron of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, who led the study.
The brown bear population in France disappeared from most of the country during the 20th century and now survives only in two separate communities in the Pyreness mountain range.
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