CONSERVING THE MARSICAN BROWN BEAR
WWW.SALVIAMOLORSO.IT
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Salviamo L’Orso is a grassroots organisation working to increase the size of the Marsican brown bear population by creating functional wildlife corridors between protected areas. SLO work in partnership with public and private organisations, creating the ecological and social conditions for Marsican bears to safely disperse into other protected areas within the Apennines mountain range.
The endemic Marsican brown bear can be found in the Apennine Mountains of central Italy, just two hour’s drive from Rome. This genetically unique subspecies is the world’s most threatened bear with an isolated population of just 60 individuals, most of which live within the boundaries of the 500 square kilometer Lazio, Molise and Abruzzo National Park. Bears play a crucial role in Italian ecosystems, dispersing seeds and regulating the food web.
In Abruzzo, wildlife and spectacular landscapes have become iconic ecotourism attractions.
Through the LIFE Bear Smart Communities project, SLO are preventing bear damages and improving coexistence.
Conservationists from SLO are delivering education and engagement programmes with local communities.
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