France, April 7 -- Despite an encouraging growth in numbers, France's national biodiversity body has warned that the long-term survival of brown bears in the Pyrenees nonetheless remains uncertain.

The brown bear population in the French Pyrenees is continuing to rise, with at least 96 individuals spotted across the mountain range last year, according to the latest official count.

While these figures are encouraging, experts caution that the future of the species in the region is far from guaranteed.

"In 2024, a minimum of 96 bears were detected throughout the Pyrenean range, including 13 litters producing 22 cubs," the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB)announced on Thursday.

Record number of bear cubs born in French Pyrenees brings...