Project Areas

Project Area

The LIFE DinPin Bear project area in Croatia covers the country’s entire brown bear distribution range, extending across a total area of 14,090.04 km². It includes the whole of Gorski Kotar and Lika, the western and southern parts of Karlovac County, Učka and Ćićarija in Istria, the central and northern parts of the island of Krk, Žumberak Mountain, the coastal area from Bakar to Maslenica, and the intermontane areas of the Kamešnica, Mosor and Biokovo massifs.

Brown Bear Distribution & Habitat

According to the Brown Bear Management Plan for the Republic of Croatia (2019), the species’ distribution area is divided into permanent and temporary habitats.

Permanent habitat covers 10,341.36 km² and includes areas where the ecological requirements of brown bears — including food, water, space, shelter, breeding and denning opportunities — are fulfilled throughout the year. Bears are continuously present in these areas, where management measures are implemented to support population stability.

Temporary habitat covers an additional 3,748.68 km². These are areas where bears occur seasonally or in numbers that do not ensure permanent presence or regular reproduction and denning. Temporary habitats generally border permanent bear habitats in Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina and include areas where the presence of brown bears may be considered either desirable or undesirable.

Conservation Importance

Croatia’s extensive permanent and temporary bear habitats form an important part of the wider transboundary distribution of the species. Their connections with neighbouring bear habitats in Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina highlight the importance of coordinated, population-level conservation and management across national borders.

Project Area

The LIFE DinPin Bear project area in Greece covers the southernmost extent of the transboundary Dinaric–Pindos brown bear population and encompasses an extensive network of Natura 2000 sites. It extends from the north-western borders with Albania and North Macedonia across the mountainous landscapes of Western Macedonia and Epirus, following the Pindos Mountain range southwards to Central Greece.

The area includes major mountain massifs such as Varnoundas, Voras and Grammos, the wider Northern Pindos National Park, Oiti and Kallidromo, together with adjacent forested mountain complexes that maintain ecological continuity.

Brown Bear Population & Habitat

The project area encompasses the western brown bear population nucleus in Greece, together with areas of recent recolonisation and zones of sporadic bear occurrence. It supports approximately 75% of the national brown bear (Ursus arctos) population and acts as the principal source population for the species’ ongoing natural expansion towards peripheral mountain ranges, including the Voras massif and other recently recolonised areas.

The landscape comprises extensive deciduous and mixed broadleaved forests, montane beech and oak woodlands, black pine and fir forests, alpine meadows, rocky slopes, river valleys and riparian ecosystems. This diverse habitat mosaic provides important foraging, denning and dispersal opportunities for brown bears.

Conservation Importance

Owing to its strategic location, the Greek project area plays a pivotal role in maintaining ecological connectivity both within Greece and across national borders with Albania and North Macedonia. Protecting this connectivity is particularly important for the continued natural expansion of the species and the long-term conservation of the wider Dinaric–Pindos population.

* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo* declaration of independence.

Project Area

The LIFE DinPin Bear project area in Montenegro covers the entire national distribution range of the brown bear, extending across the mountainous and forested regions of the central and northern parts of the country.

The area includes Durmitor, Biogradska Gora and Prokletije National Parks, 24 hunting grounds, nature parks and other forest complexes that provide key habitats for the species. Its well-preserved forest ecosystems and rugged mountainous landscapes offer favourable conditions for brown bears and other large carnivores.

Brown Bear Population & Habitat

Montenegro forms an important part of the Dinaric–Pindos brown bear population. Its extensive forest habitats and mountainous terrain provide suitable conditions for the species and contribute to the ecological connectivity of the wider transboundary population.

Conservation Importance

Owing to its geographical position, Montenegro plays an important role in maintaining connectivity between brown bear habitats across neighbouring countries. The preservation of these connected and well-conserved landscapes is therefore important for the long-term viability of the Dinaric–Pindos brown bear population.

Project Area

The LIFE DinPin Bear project area in North Macedonia encompasses the main distribution range of the brown bear in the north-western, western, south-western and southern parts of the country.

From north to south, it includes the mountain ranges of Shar Mountain, Korab, Bistra, Deshat, Stogovo, Karaorman, Jablanica, Galichica, Pelister, Nidje, Bigla, Ilinska-Plakenska Mountains, Suva Gora, Dobra Voda–Cheloica–Busheva Mountains and Jakupica.

The area also encompasses four national parks — Shar Planina, Mavrovo, Galichica and Pelister — as well as Ezerani Nature Park and the Vevchani Springs Monument of Nature.

Brown Bear Population

The brown bear population in North Macedonia is estimated at approximately 300 individuals. The species occurs primarily across the mountainous landscapes included within the project area, which provide important habitats for its continued presence in the country.

Conservation Status

Under the Macedonian Law on Game Species and Hunting and Law on Nature Protection, the brown bear is a permanently and strictly protected species. It is also classified as Vulnerable on the National Red List of mammals.

Project Area

The LIFE DinPin Bear project area in Serbia encompasses the national range of the Dinaric–Pindos brown bear population, covering the western and south-western parts of the country. It extends from the Loznica region in the north to the administrative boundary with Kosovo* in the south, while its eastern limit generally follows the Velika and Južna Morava river valleys.

The landscape is dominated by the Dinaric mountain system and characterised by extensive deciduous and mixed forests, rugged terrain, deep river gorges and high ecological diversity, providing high-quality habitat for brown bears and numerous other wildlife species.

Landscape & Conservation Challenges

The region is sparsely populated, with most inhabitants living in small, scattered rural settlements separated by extensive forest complexes and mountainous terrain. Traditional livestock grazing, forestry and agriculture remain the dominant land-use practices.

Despite the relatively low human population density, increasing infrastructure development presents important conservation challenges. Major roads, motorways and railway lines contribute to habitat fragmentation, reduce ecological connectivity and increase the risk of wildlife–vehicle collisions. Expanding tourism and other human activities may place additional pressure on bear movements and long-term population viability.

Conservation Importance

As the core distribution area of brown bears in Serbia, the region plays a crucial role in maintaining connectivity within the transboundary Dinaric–Pindos population shared with neighbouring countries. It therefore represents a priority area for coordinated monitoring, research, conservation action and evidence-based population management.