**5. Conclusions-discussion**

A general conclusion would be that the presence of the highway under construction and the distance from it in relation to bear presence, abundance and activity is an interrelated and dynamic system in which telemetry is the most appropriate technique to approach and understand it.

The following behavioral patterns in relation to bear activity, movements and habitat use have been identified:


Considering previous results we suggest that animal (bear) activity is not reduced but rather qualitatively affected by the existence of the highway.

Overall we suggest that the new highway functions as a critical landscape parameter (barrier) that seems to significantly affect distribution, habitat use, movement patterns and frequency of occurrences of brown bears.

The results of our study will essentially contribute in further adjustment of mitigation measures along the highway as well as in close monitoring of their efficiency during highway operation in the critical areas.
