DNA reveals more bears than thought, Romania's Carpathian brown bears counted by genetics

The forests of Romania's Carpathian Mountains shelter the largest brown bear population in the European Union, and scientists have just gained a far clearer picture of how many of these animals actually roam the woods. A major genetic study has revised the estimated number of bears sharply upward, changing not only a statistic but also the way conservation of the species is understood. The results have drawn attention well beyond Romania's borders.

A new way to count bears

The study was carried out by Romania's Forestry Research Institute and relied on genetic analysis rather than traditional field observation. Researchers gathered more than 24,000 samples of bear faeces and hair from across 25 counties in the Carpathian region. The collection took place over roughly three years, from 2022 through the end of 2024, in one of the most extensive efforts of its kind in the country.

This approach represents a significant departure from the past. Previously, the size of the bear population was estimated mainly by counting bear prints in the field, a method that is prone to error and can easily lead to the same animal being recorded more than once. The difference between the two methods turned out to be striking.

A much higher number

The genetic study concluded that Romania is home to as many as 13,000 brown bears. That figure stands well above the previous estimate of around 8,000 animals. Such a large upward revision suggests that earlier counts, based on tracks, may have significantly understated the true size of the population living in the mountains.

The finding reinforces Romania's position as the heart of brown bear country in Europe. The nation holds by far the largest population of the species within the European Union, and one of the largest anywhere on the continent. For conservationists, an accurate headcount is the essential foundation on which sound management decisions must be built.

Why genetics matters

The strength of the genetic method lies in its precision. By analysing DNA taken non-invasively from droppings and hair, scientists can identify individual animals with confidence and avoid counting the same bear twice. This gives a much clearer picture of how many distinct individuals share the landscape, and it also opens the door to studying how the population changes over time.

Romania has been a pioneer in applying these techniques. Foundation Conservation Carpathia carried out an early genetic census in the Fagaras region back in 2017 and 2018, one of the first of its kind in the country. That pilot work helped demonstrate the value of DNA-based monitoring, paving the way for the far larger national effort that followed.

Not without debate

The study has not been free of discussion among specialists. Cristian Papp of WWF pointed out that the samples were collected over a period of about three years, whereas a genetic census is normally conducted by gathering samples over a much shorter window, which can affect how the results are interpreted.

In response, Ancuta Fedorca, involved in the research, explained that the extended timeline was due to the sheer number of samples that had to be processed, the laboratory analyses required, and the limited human resources available. This kind of methodological debate is a normal part of science, and it reflects the care needed when producing figures that will guide important policy choices.

Bears as a barometer

Beyond the numbers, brown bears carry a wider significance. As one bear biologist has put it, they are great barometers of the health of an ecosystem, and what is good for bears is often good for people too. Because bears depend on large, connected areas of wild habitat, their wellbeing serves as an indicator for the broader health of forests and wildlife.

This is why an accurate count matters so much. Knowing how many bears there are, and where they live, is central to designing policies that protect the species while also helping people who share the same landscapes. Good data supports a more balanced approach to coexistence between humans and wildlife in the mountains.

A wider conservation picture

The bear census is one piece of a much larger conservation story in Romania. The country is known for having some of the most extensive and best preserved old-growth forests in Europe, as well as the vast wetlands of the Danube Delta, one of the continent's richest natural areas. Understanding and protecting this biodiversity is a long-term undertaking.

In conclusion, the genetic census of Romania's brown bears marks an important milestone in wildlife monitoring. By replacing footprints with DNA, researchers have produced a more reliable estimate of a population that is central to Europe's natural heritage. Better data, in the end, means better decisions, both for the bears and for the communities who live alongside them.