The 1980�s and 1990�s have seen a steady increase in the amount and quality of scientific research on brown bears in Europe. This data is providing an increasingly firm foundation for bear conservation and management. Radio-telemetry has been used in Norway, Sweden, Finland, Slovenia, Croatia, Romania, Greece, France, Spain, Italy and Austria. Economic problems have prevented the countries of eastern Europe from investing heavily in expensive research technology, although this is changing as western European funding agencies invest in eastern European projects (for example in Romania). Such co-operation is vital as the countries of eastern Europe host the largest populations. Various research projects are currently studying all aspects of bear biology, habitat use, diet, demography and behaviour. An area of increasing investment has been the human dimensions aspect. Through a better understanding of human knowledge and attitudes towards bears and large carnivores in general, it is hoped that education and information programs can be designed and targeted more effectively.

Conservation programmes are active in many countries, resulting in education programmes, reintroductions, and assistance with introducing preventative measures in livestock husbandry. Funding from NGOs and European Union funds is available in many countries. The general geographical distribution of conservation effort parallels that of research effort, with the Balkans (with the exception of Greece) and eastern Europe having the least access to funding. In most European countries there is a wide range of individuals and institutions engaged in brown bear research, management and conservation, and many sources of information are available on the internet.

In general, the larger European bear populations appear to be stable, or even increasing in many areas, although their future is by no means guaranteed. For the smallest remnant populations it is uncertain if this change of fortunes has come in time, and it is clear that intensive conservation measures such as translocation will be required to save them. For many of the populations in eastern Europe the dramatic socio-political changes which are currently occurring pose a challenge to bear conservation. Their future can only be safeguarded by building effective and modern research and management structures. In some countries such as Norway, where bear populations are recovering, the process of learning to live with bears again is proving to be difficult, and effective measures that reduce conflicts need to be implemented. However, the enormous interest that bears are attracting, and the foundation of knowledge that exists in the literature list contained in this compendium provides grounds for optimism. Fortunately there is also effective communication, contact and co-operation between the various groups working with bears. Pan European umbrella organizations like the International Bear Association, the Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe, and the Berne Convention�s Group of Experts on Conservation of Large Carnivores, together with many regional networks provide opportunities for contact. �

John D. C. Linnell, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Tungasletta 2, 7485 Trondheim, Norway.

Daniel Steuer & Petra Kaczensky, Munich Wildlife Society, Linderhoff 2, D-82488 Ettal, Germany.

John Odden, Department of Zoology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway.