Speaker
Description
Skrbinšek, Tomaž1,2*; Bartol, Matej3; Boljte, Barbara1; Hrga, Nuša1; Hvala, Tilen3,4; Majić Skrbinšek, Aleksandra1,2; Pazhenkova, Elena1,2; Predalič, Miha3; Simčič, Gregor1; Konec, Marjeta1,2
1 DivjaLabs Ltd., Ljubljana, Slovenia
2 University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Ljubljana, Slovenia
3 Slovenia Forest Service, Ljubljana, Slovenia
4 Slovenian Hunting Association, Ljubljana, Slovenia
* tomaz.skrbinsek@bf.uni-lj.si
DOI: 10.20315/evmc.2025.050
For many wildlife species, genetic monitoring is the only approach that can provide robust and precise tracking of population abundance, although its practical application can be challenging. In Slovenia, we have developed and implemented genetic monitoring tools over the past two decades to track brown bear population at the national level. Following a pilot study in 2004, a national-level sampling in 2007 established the value of genetic monitoring. Since then, it has become an essential part of brown bear management in Slovenia, with samplings conducted every eight years using the citizen-science approach. The methods were constantly improved to take advantage of the rapid development of molecular genetics, and results are carefully and thoroughly provided to all stakeholders and participants.
In the autumn of 2023, during the third monitoring session, we collected an impressive 2,864 non-invasive genetic samples over three months, surpassing our target of 2,500. The majority of samples were collected by hunters and foresters. We genotyped 2,500 samples, achieving a 70% genotyping success rate. Genotyping using high-throughput sequencing enabled rapid and cost-effective analysis, with laboratory work and genotyping completed within eight months of sampling. The entire study was finalized and reported within ten months of completed sampling.
We documented continued population growth, a further expansion of the species towards the Alps, and a sex ratio similar to previous surveys (61.7% of females). The capture-mark-recapture estimated minimum annual population size at the end of 2023 (after annual mortality but before reproduction) was 739 individuals (ranging from 695 to 797). As the registered mortality in 2023 was 264 individuals, we can add that figure to estimate the maximum annual population size in spring 2023, i.e., at 1001 bears (957 – 1061).
The Slovenian brown bear monitoring program exemplifies a successful transition from a scientific pilot study to a well-established and cost-effective routine monitoring, crucial for the effective management and conservation of the species. The knowledge gained and methodology advancements can be applied to establish similar genetic monitoring programs for other populations and species.
