A study initiated in the year 2018-2019, focusing on the diet of brown bears (Ursus arctos) in the Prespa basin, has been published in the Macedonian Journal of Ecology and Environment.
This study included the first-time collection of 553 samples from 22 different habitats in Albania, Macedonia, and Greece. The results highlight the crucial role of fruit-bearing plants in the brown bear’s diet, with plums and cherries (Prunus cerasifera) present in nearly half of the samples. Barberry and wild cherries dominate in spring, while apples prevail in autumn.
Moving forward, the preservation and control of the brown bear population in the Prespa basin should increasingly depend on comprehending the bear’s main diet across various seasons and evaluating its preferred habitats.
These discoveries lay the groundwork for promoting a harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife.
