Imported brown bear released in Pyrenees leading to farmers protesting

French authorities set a female bear free in the area to help preserve the population

The brown bear appears to be dying out in the region (iStock)

A female brown bear has been released into the Pyrenees, leading to protests from farmers.

French authorities have set the bear free in the mountainous region in an effort to preserve the population of brown bears.

The bear has been released to mate with male bears in the area.

Farmers reacted angrily due to their concerns about their sheep being attacked by the wild bears.

Road blockades were organised by local farmers, who checked vehicles in an attempt to stop the bear from arriving.

It is unclear how the bear made it to the destination but French media claimed she was delivered via helicopter.

Brown bears were thought to be at risk of disappearing from the area during the 1980s but their numbers rose to 43 last year.

The Slovenian bear placed in the region is the first bear to be released into the wild in France since 2006.

Agencies contributed to this report