The 41st National Meetings of Pastoralism Actors took place in Ax-les-Thermes, in the Ariège department, and focused on the structured model of collective pastoralism in the region. This system relies on pastoral groups (GP), pastoral land associations (AFP), and a shared management of the estives — high-altitude summer pastures. However, this model is now encountering new challenges, including increased use of mountain areas, stricter regulations, economic hardships, and issues with wildlife predation. Alain Servant, president of the Ariège Pastoral Federation, stressed the importance of viewing pastoralism not just as an economic activity but as a social foundation for life in the mountains. The system is based on 88 pastoral groups and 64 AFP. Since 2008, nearly 50 main cabins used by shepherds have been modernized, and 55 now have access to clean drinking water. The number of workers on the estives has also grown, rising from 33 permanent shepherds in 1994 to about 130 employees in 2026. A key factor enabling this organization in Ariège is that a large portion of the estives is publicly owned, either by the state or local municipalities. Pastoral groups act as intermediaries between farmers, landowners, local authorities, and funders. The AFP organize the use of pastoral land and help maintain the region's landscapes, biodiversity, and fire prevention. Audrey Vantomme, from the land management department of the Federation, mentioned that the Ariège Pastoral Federation is increasingly helping AFP resolve conflicts through local mediation or legal support. The management of AFP is growing more complex, requiring greater legal and regulatory expertise. This evolution has raised questions about the future of pastoral common goods. The Pyrenean estives depend on the shared use of resources like grass and water, governed by locally defined rules. However, this system is being challenged by the shift toward individual practices, the legal handling of conflicts, and the expansion of other activities in the mountains. The actors in Ariège aim to clarify the rules for accessing the estives and strengthen the connection between local communities and their management. According to data presented at the meetings, the population of Pyrenean bears has grown from 109 to 143 individuals between 2006 and 2024, with an average annual growth rate of 11.53%. This increase has brought additional challenges for farmers and shepherds in the region. Philippe Lacube, president of the Ariège Agricultural Chamber, pointed out that predation by bears is a particularly difficult issue in Ariège. Measures to protect livestock have multiplied, including the use of guard dogs, enclosures, more shepherds on the ground, and sometimes night shifts. Despite these efforts, losses continue, with pastoral actors estimating around 1,000 animals lost annually — roughly equivalent to the number of animals in an average estive, including those that go missing. In addition to the loss of animals, officials warn of the human impact: worsening working conditions, tensions within the pastoral groups, and a high turnover rate among shepherds. Ariège pastoralism covers 120,000 hectares of estives, 45,000 hectares of intermediate areas, and includes 54,000 transhumant sheep, 17,500 transhumant cattle, 1,900 transhumant horses, over 500 transhumant farms, 94 shepherds, and 45 cowherds. This system represents a significant part of the region's rural economy and cultural identity, though it faces mounting pressures from environmental, economic, and social factors.