Lorraine Williamson
When hikers discovered a frail bear cub wandering alone in the mountains of Teverga in June, few believed she would ever survive — let alone return to the wild. The tiny brown bear, later named Alba, was rescued by agents of the Principality of Asturias and became the focus of a delicate, months-long rehabilitation that would ultimately symbolise a turning point in Spain’s efforts to protect its native wildlife.
After being found in a severely weakened state, Alba was immediately transferred to specialist recovery centres — first to Villaescusa in Cantabria, then to Valsemana in León. For months, she remained under expert care, gaining weight, strength and the wild instincts she would need to survive.
At the centres, Alba was kept away from human contact, ensuring she retained her natural behaviour. Veterinarians and biologists monitored her health and nutrition closely, adapting her diet as she grew stronger. By autumn, she weighed around twenty kilos and showed all the signs of a healthy, independent young bear.
Released into her new home
In late October, the Consejería de Medio Rural y Política Agraria confirmed that Alba had been released into a suitable habitat in southern Asturias — a secluded woodland chosen carefully for her acclimatisation. “Alba has been freed in an environment ideal for her adaptation,” the regional authority shared in a post on X, describing the moment as both hopeful and historic.
Fitted with a GPS collar, Alba’s progress will be monitored by wildlife teams to ensure her continued safety. The release site, far from roads and villages, provides ample food and natural shelter — the perfect setting for her long-awaited return to freedom.
A landmark for conservation in Asturias
Alba’s journey marks the first time in Asturias that a rescued brown bear cub has been successfully rehabilitated and reintroduced into its natural habitat. Her survival is the result of exceptional teamwork between regional agents, veterinarians, and conservation biologists across several autonomous communities.
For experts, the project demonstrates the value of rapid intervention and interregional collaboration. It also highlights how science-led rescue efforts can reverse the decline of endangered species once native to much of northern Spain.
Brown bear born in Aragón for first time in half a century
Hope for the future of Spain’s bears
Once on the brink of extinction, the Cantabrian brown bear population has slowly begun to recover thanks to decades of conservation work. Alba’s successful release adds a new chapter to that story, serving as both a scientific milestone and a symbol of what cooperation can achieve.
As she roams through the misty forests of Asturias, Alba’s tracks represent more than her survival — they embody hope for a wilder, more resilient future. If fortune favours her, one day she may raise cubs of her own, continuing the quiet revival of Spain’s most emblematic predator.
Source: Europa Press