Bär Lower Austria

The brown bear (Ursus arctos) is Europe's largest land carnivore, recognisable by its pronounced shoulder hump, heavy build and brown to nearly black coat. Adults reach body lengths of roughly 100 to 280 cm with shoulder heights of 90 to 150 cm. Brown bears are omnivores; their diet ranges from grasses, berries, roots and nuts through to insects, carrion and, opportunistically, larger prey.

They use a wide range of habitats, including structurally rich forests, mountain landscapes and tundra, wherever food supply and undisturbed retreats for the winter rest are sufficient. Brown bears are largely solitary with extensive home ranges that, depending on habitat quality, can span between around 25 and over 1,000 square kilometres. They spend several winter months in self-dug or natural dens, with markedly reduced heart and breathing rates while body temperature drops only slightly.

In the DACH region the brown bear is strictly protected under Annexes II and IV of the European Habitats Directive and through the Federal Nature Conservation Act. Germany, Austria and Switzerland currently host no resident populations; sightings are limited to individual, mostly male, wanderers from the Alpine and Carpathian populations. For hunters in the DACH region this means the brown bear is not huntable and falls under the responsibility of nature conservation authorities. Sightings, tracks or livestock kills should be reported to the competent authorities, as these observations support monitoring efforts and herd-protection planning.