Brown Bear Captured and Tagged with GPS Collar in Durmitor National Park

On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, a brown bear was successfully captured and fitted with a GPS/GSM collar in Durmitor National Park by a research team from the Centre for Protection and Research of Birds of Montenegro (CZIP), with support from Durmitor National Park and Piva Nature Park.

This satellite telemetry method enables continuous monitoring of the bear's movements and behavior, contributing to improved habitat protection and the development of human-wildlife coexistence strategies.

“I am very pleased with the bear capture operation in Durmitor. Preparations, carried out in collaboration with CZIP, were highly effective and led to a successful outcome. The bear was in good health during anesthesia, which allowed us to collect morphometric data and biological samples and to fit the tracking collar. This action greatly contributes to bear monitoring efforts in Montenegro and enhances our understanding of bear biology, ecology, and behavior—key steps toward coexistence between people and bears in this region,” said Phd Slaven Reljić from the Bioterra association.

The trap alarm was triggered around 2:00 a.m., just two nights after activation. The expert team, led by Reljić, promptly arrived on-site to confirm a bear had entered the trap. The individual is a male, over four years old, weighing 162 kilograms, in good health, and has been named Aleksandar.

Following safe immobilization using a combination of anesthetics, the team conducted measurements, collected samples, and secured the satellite collar. Vital signs were monitored throughout the procedure. The operation lasted approximately two hours and was completed without complications. By 11:00 a.m. the same day, the first location data was received, showing that Aleksandar had crossed the Tara Canyon and continued moving northeast through Montenegro.

Participants in the operation included staff from Durmitor National Park and Piva Nature Park, as well as representative of the Durmitor Hunting Association.

“As part of the ForestConnect project, which focuses on conserving biodiversity within ecological corridors, CZIP began preparations for capturing and collaring a brown bear two months ago. We established excellent cooperation with Durmitor National Park, which was involved throughout the process,” said Marija Iković from CZIP.

“We can say this was a very successful operation, completed in record time. The tracking data we receive will be extremely valuable for understanding the species’ ecology and for protecting critical habitats necessary for its survival,” Iković concluded.

The ForestConnect project is supported by international partners and focuses on biodiversity protection through monitoring the movement of key species within ecological corridors. By the end of 2025, CZIP plans to collar at least one more bear as part of this research initiative.