Episode 159: Europe’s Big Three – Wolves, Bears, Lynx. Part 2: The Brown Bear’s Rocky Return to the Pyrenees

By: Jack Humphrey

October 31, 2025

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Pyrenean brown bear. Photo Courtesy of Pays de l’Ours Association

Episode Summary

In this episode, Julius Purcell journeys deep into the Pyrenees to explore the dramatic story of brown bears—once nearly extinct in these mountains, now at the center of a fierce cultural and ecological debate. Through vivid field reporting, interviews with conservationists, shepherds, and locals, we trace the history of Pyrenean brown bear (Ursus arctos) reintroduction, the challenges of genetic diversity, and the ongoing conflict between traditional livestock farming and modern conservation efforts. The episode also delves into the symbolism of bears in local culture, the impact of European Union policies, and the contrasting attitudes toward bears in neighboring regions, revealing what it takes to coexist with these iconic predators in a changing Europe.

“Cohabitation between bears and farmers is hard in the Pyrenees, that’s true. But we need to move beyond this, and ask fundamental questions: What is a bear? What are the solutions to live with that bear? That’s what we do: We’ll tell you what a bear is, and how to live with him.” Adrien Dérousseau, Pays de l’Ours, Pyrenees mountains, southern France. Photo: ALAIN MIGNON

Topics Covered:

• The history and extinction of native brown bears in the Pyrenees
• Reintroduction of Slovenian brown bears and population recovery
• Cultural and political resistance from local livestock farmers
• The role of the European Union’s habitats directive and subsidies
• High-profile bear attacks and media coverage
• Compensation and protection measures for shepherds
• The problem of genetic inbreeding in the bear population
• The Festival of the Bear and cultural symbolism
• Contrasts between French and Spanish approaches to bear conservation
• The ecological impact of bears on mountain ecosystems
• The future of coexistence between humans and bears in the Pyrenees

Remote Camera Video

More Pyrenean brown bear (Ursus arctos) videos on Pays de l’Ours YouTube channel

Pyrenean Brown Bear Gallery

WOLF BEAR LYNX Series Narrated and Produced by Julius Purcell

Julius Purcell, Narrator & Producer of the 3-part series “WOLF BEAR LYNX” Photo credit: Julius Purcell

Julius Purcell discovered his interest in audio while training as a journalist in the Middle East. He later worked as a deputy editor at National Geographic History magazine, a role that sparked his fascination with environmental history and rewilding. Julius’s audio series for the Rewilding Institute, “WOLF, BEAR, LYNX,” looks at predator restoration across Europe through the prism of history and politics. He lives in Barcelona, Spain — a great base for exploring Europe’s rewilding projects.

Main Content Credits for E159

Produced and presented for the Rewilding Institute by JULIUS PURCELL.

With thanks to contributors: STEVE CRACKNELL (author, The Implausible Rewilding of the Pyrenees, available on Amazon); ALAIN REYNES and ADRIEN DÉROUSSEAU (Pays de l’Ours); MARGALI BRO (livestock farmer in the Corbière hills) Dubbed voices: LEWIS SHARP, ISAAC PRESANT, and MARION SCOTT

Music: Prepared piano: JORGE GUARIN and PALOMA ORTS; accordion: GOLSHA GOLDY; Final song: Canto del Ramo, reproduced with the permission of filmmaker JAVIER IBARRA ZORRILLA, and the musicians from Cangas del Narcea, Asturias, Spain: LORENA GONZALEZ; PABLO ALVAREZ; CLAUDIA BUSTO; ISABEL; LAURA VUELTA; JOSEFINA FEITO

Extra Credit

• Check out Pays de l’Ours (Country of the Bear) videos on YouTube
• Visit Pays de l’Ours website for more information on their important work on behalf of the Pyrenean brown bear

Jack Humphrey

Director of Digital Outreach (D.O.D.O.) for The Rewilding Institute

Host and Producer of the Rewilding Earth Podcast

Jack started Rewilding work as Executive Director of Sky Island Alliance in the mid-1990’s, organizing the Sky Island Wildlands Network design, ripping up illegal roads on forest service lands, installing wolf acclimatization pens on Ted Turner’s Ladder Ranch & conducting howling surveys to help make way for the final stage of the Lobo reintroduction program in the Southwest.

Through the years, Jack has worked with Dave Foreman and the Rewilding Gang to further Rewilding initiatives and education.

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