Only around 50 bears were tracked in Norway in 2005, and a spate of bear shootings deeply worried wildlife conservations experts. The shootings were generally carried out by ranchers who claimed the bears were ravaging their sheep flocks, or threatening humans.
Newspaper VG reported this week that experts now have found DNA traces after 126 bears. That represents a big jump, but still lies below the 150-plus level desired by state officials.
Researchers also note that many of the DNA traces found in Norway can stem from bears that wander extensively, also over national borders. That means they may not have settled down in Norway for good.
Neighbouring Sweden, for example, is estimated to have a bear population of more than 2,500 in its forests, and many of them can wander into Norway.
Areas where the most bear are found include Trysil in eastern Norway (also known as popular and rapidly developing ski area), Passvikdalen in Finnmark in northern Norway, and Lierne in the county of Nord-Trøndelag.
Researchers attached to a Scandinavian bear-tracking project have been collecting hair and excrement left by bears over the past two years. Traces of 60 different bears were found in Hedmark county in eastern Norway, mostly around Trysil.
