In the framework of the project ”Bear In Mind – Bringing environmental actions for the biodiversity protection across the borders”, which is funded by the European Union, another individual of brown bear (Ursus arctos) was captured and tagged with a collar with GPS tracker and satellite transmitter for telemetry studies. After Borko in Montenegro, a two-year-old male of 78 kg was captured in Nature park ”Blidinje” in Bosnia and Herzegovina, whose name is Vranac accordance with the site at which it was caught – hunting ground Vran. Diligent members of the project team from Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the support of external experts and representatives of the ŠGD ”Hercegbosanke šume” (Šumarija Tomislavgrad) have been working for days on the preparation and implementation of this rather complex process, and all with the aim to monitor its movements, feeding dynamics, habitat mapping, and other scientifically interesting habits.
It is planned to capture and tag with sattelite transmitters two more individuals of brown bear this year, in the framework of the affore mentioned project, for telemtry studies. The data obtained in this way will also be used to develop management plan for the species in four protected areas in B&H and Montenegro, which are the final beneficiaries of the project.
The implemented activity, in addition to the scientific research aspect, will help to present to the general public in the right way a wild animal like a brown bear, and in that way break the prejudices, misconceptions and fear of this animal.
“In this way, by obtaining data sent to us by Vranac and Borko, in addition to those obtained by capturing and marking two more brown bears in the next period, we will be able to form and present to decision makers and the public quality management plans for this species, which will offer a broader picture of it and its habits in the cross-border region, and thus make a significant contribution to improving its protection and management. In addition, with the educational campaign, we want to point out the significant role of bears in the forest ecosystem, as one of the most valuable representatives of biological diversity that plays a major role in its conservation, and that this species is not only an attacker and vermin, but a very cautious animal, which prefers to avoid humans. Achieving a high degree of harmony in the coexistence of local people and wildlife is one of the ultimate goals of our project – said Josipa Bagarić, project coordinator in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Bear In Mind project, implemented by the Association for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development “Naša baština”, in cooperation with partner organizations Ornithological society “Naše ptice” from Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Center for the Protection and Research of Birds from Montenegro, is financed by European Union within the IPA cross-border cooperation program Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro 2014-2020.
The project is designed so that the protection of biological diversity in the cross-border area of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro is a central theme to protect the species for the region. This will ensure the protection of the ecosystems of these sites (especially important forests), all through the implementation of several activities such as: strengthening the capacity of administrative units of protected areas and the civil sector in the field of environmental protection, development of monitoring protocols and management plans for protected birds and mammals species in accordance with EU directives and raising the awareness of the local population about the benefits of higher standards in terms of protection of endangered species.
