150,000 native trees and shrubs to be planted in northern Spain
A new project backed by the EU and Spanish government aims to create a better environment for brown bears in the country.
Scientists have carried out a series of studies on how climate change is affecting the food sources which bears depend on, and most importantly, how it is having a negative impact on their hibernation cycles.
Bears need to hibernate for at least 5 months a year to curl and cozy up and take a break from the world for at least 5 months through the winter months. And where do they hibernate? In dens they dig out in hollowed-out tree cavities, under logs or rocks, caves, or shallow banks.
So, as part of a project backed by the European Union and the Spanish government, 150,000 native trees and shrubs will be planted, producing natural fruity delicacies, like chestnuts, cherries, apples, and alder buckthorn across 155 hectares in Cantabria, Castilla y Leon, and Asturias.
There are estimated to be about 330 brown bears living in northern Spain and the species is classified as endangered.
The project aims to educate both locals and tourists alike about how we should all adapt to having more bears in woods and mountains during the winter.
Through this initiative, 330 brown bears and cubs will have enough food and nutrition from trees and shrubs, and they will no longer be forced out of hibernation early because of hibernation.
– The Happy Broadcast
