Three Young Male Brown Bears Confirmed in Andorra's Border Areas This Spring
Rangers detect bears via camera traps and tracks during mating season, with genetic tests underway to identify if they are among eight previously known individuals; officials report controlled situation and no incidents.
Key Points
- Three young male brown bears confirmed in Andorra's border areas via camera traps and tracks during mating season.
- Genetic tests on hair samples to check if bears match eight previously identified individuals.
- No incidents reported; situation controlled with Pyrenees population at 108 bears.
- €30,000 subsidies approved for livestock and crop protection from bears.
Andorra's Corps of Rangers has confirmed the presence of three young male brown bears in the country this spring, detected in border zones near France and Spain amid the spring thaw and end of hibernation.
The rangers shared nighttime video footage on social media, showing the bears scratching against tree trunks in snowy terrain. These captures, along with tracks, traces, and direct sightings, came from data-protection-compliant camera traps at key locations. Agents gathered hair samples from wire snares on the trees for genetic testing in Spain and France. The analysis will check if the bears match any of the eight previously identified in Andorra during 2024 and 2025—seven males and one female—or represent new individuals. Results are due in coming weeks.
Environment Minister Guillem Casal discussed the detections at a Council of Ministers press conference, specifying the bears appeared in typical incursion areas: from Arcalís through Coma and Incles valleys in the north, and from Coll de la Gallina and Francolí in Sant Julià de Lòria to Setúria valley in La Massana in the south. He stressed no unusual population growth, attributing increased sightings to mating season when males travel long distances in search of females. Casal noted no incidents since a bear-dog encounter in Comapedrosa park last year, calling the situation "controlled." He added that the Pyrenees brown bear population stood at 108 last year, including 5-7 cubs, with Andorran visitors sharing ranges in Catalan and French Pyrenees parks.
Officials urged backcountry skiers and hikers to avoid following tracks and to alert rangers at 148 instead. In encounters, retreat calmly in the opposite direction without disturbing the bear, and keep dogs leashed to prevent clashes. Behavioural advice is posted on the Corps of Rangers and Environment Ministry websites. Rangers emphasized public collaboration and respect for wildlife to support coexistence.
The Council has approved €30,000 in subsidies for prevention measures to limit damage to livestock and crops from protected species such as bears.
Original Sources
This article was aggregated from the following Catalan-language sources:
- ARA•
Confirmada la presència de tres ossos joves a Andorra
- La Veu Lliure•
Els Banders investiguen si els tres ossos detectats ja circulaven pel país
- Diari d'Andorra•
Què fer si es troba un os?: anar en direcció contrària i el màxim de tranquils possible
- El Periòdic•
[Amb vídeo]: El Cos de Banders confirma la presència de tres ossos coincidint amb el final de la hibernació
- Diari d'Andorra•
Tres ossos joves detectats a Andorra aquesta primavera
- Altaveu•
Els banders detecten la presència de tres ossos joves al país aquesta primavera