DESCRIPTION
Both the Marsican brown bear (Ursus arctos marsicanus) and the Italian honey bee (Apis mellifera ligustica) are threatened by the alteration of ecosystems caused by humans. If the bear is critically endangered and on the verge of extinction, then the bees are not safe either. The overall goal of this project is to enhance the biodiversity of the ecosystems and increase food sources for the Marsican brown bear through pollinator insects such as Italian honey bees which would replace non-endemic swarms.
Another important goal of the project is to reduce human-bear conflicts leading to the potential destruction of the small Marsican bear population in Central Italy through poaching (culling is not a legal option). Through promoting cooperation with the beekeepers, this project aims to make beekeepers more aware of the necessity of protecting their farms and see the bear as added promotional value, instead of a competitor.
Funding, secured by the NGO Salviamo l’Orso, is used to purchase and donate native bee swarms, beehives and electric fences to local beekeepers who suffered bear damage, to prevent and reduce future losses caused by bears. The honey produced through these hives will also help compensate for the loss of production. Sixty percent of the honey produced through the donated hives is kept by the beekeeper, while the rest is collected by the NGO and sold locally as bear-friendly honey, to increase awareness on this issue and promote sustainable honey production.
This project is led by a local NGO (Salviamo l’Orso) in collaboration with scientists, funded by grants provided by Patagonia (www.patagonia.com) and Tides (www.tides.com). The project began in 2016 and is ongoing to present date (2019).
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info@salviamolorso.it |
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