| Summary: | Nowadays extensive livestock farming is facing a complex socio-economic context. The coexistence between extensive production and the conservation of biodiversity has raised tensions between livestock farmers and the public administration of the Alt Pirineu Natural Park (PNAP). A clear example is the reintroduction of the brown bear (Ursus arctos), in 1996, due to a LIFE program of the European Union deployed by the French government, with the support of the Catalan government. As a result of the reintroduction there has been some discomfort among some members of the primary sector due to the damage caused by the attacks, especially to sheep. In addition, it is assumed that the presence of large predators such as bears can cause increased vigilance in cattle (Bos taurus), penalizing the time spent on other behaviours, such as grazing, and can indirectly compromise the productive performance of herds. Vigilance is an anti-predator behaviour often associated with the presence of predators but may be due to other causes. The study was carried out from spring to winter of 2021 in the PNAP, where there is currently presence of brown bears, and in the Vall d'en Bas, where there is no presence of bears (control area). This study aims to determine whether vigilance 1) can reduce maintenance behaviour (e.g., grazing, ruminating and resting), 2) is produced or increased by the presence of bears, 3) is related to the size of the herd, 4) can vary according to the position of the animal within the herd and 5) is affected by the type of habitat. Non-manipulative observational methodologies focal and scan were used to collect the behavioural data of herds in the field. Cattle exhibited a vigilant behaviour the 10 ± 1.0% of the time. No significant differences (P = 0.47) were found in the vigilance of individuals between the PNAP and the control area. There were also no differences in vigilance based on herd size (P = 0.99) or the position of the individual within-herd (P = 0.98). A negative correlation was observed between ...
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