A bear cub was caught in a wire noose of an illegal wild boar trap in Prespes, but thanks to the Bear Immediate Intervention Team of the LIFE ARCPROM project, it was released after a few hours. According to a statement from the environmental organization “Kallisto”, the one and a half year old animal was spotted on the morning of April 2nd by a farmer during plowing, who immediately notified the Prespa Protection Society. The Company informed the Forestry Department of Florina and the Management Unit of the Prespa National Park and Protected Areas of Western Macedonia (OFYPEKA), which contacted “Kallisto”. With the help of a partner veterinarian from Kastoria, the Immediate Intervention Team (IAT) was activated for the bear of the LIFE ARCPROM project, which started the operation at noon of the same day.

The OAE members found that even though the bear had been caged for several hours, it was in very good health and so immediately after anesthesia, with a special anesthetic gun, removal of the noose and first aid, it was released. The bear (female, weighing 45 kg) was not fitted with a radio collar that would record its movement, due to its young age. According to the communication manager of the organization, Giorgos Theodoridis, the bear was at an age where he had completed his training with his mother and could live alone.

The LIFE ARCPROM project is implemented in four protected areas in Greece (National Parks of Prespa, Rhodopes and Northern Pindos) and Italy (Maiella National Park in the Abruzzo region), with the participation of the competent Management Units. Its goal is to improve human-bear coexistence and one of its most pivotal actions is the operation of Immediate Intervention Teams for the Bear.