Bear kills 19-year-old tourist in Romania
Approximately 8000 brown bears live in the Carpathians of Romania - and they continue to attack hikers. In one of these attacks, a 19-year-old woman has died. The young tourist was dragged away by the wild animal in the south of Brasov, in the Bucegi-Massif, according to an eyewitness who placed a call after the incident. This was reported by the Romanian news agency Mediafax.
Less than an hour later on Tuesday evening, mountain rescuers and police recovered the woman's body. They reportedly shot and killed the bear, as it had allegedly attempted to attack the rescuers.
Approximately 8000 brown bears live in Romania's Carpathians, according to government estimates. This is the second largest bear population in Europe, after that in Russia. The animals frequently attack hikers, break into farmers' homes, and rummage through garbage cans in cities like Brasov in search of food.
Following the latest fatality, Romania's Environment Minister Mircea Fechet demanded higher bear culling quotas. He reportedly requested an annual quota of 500 bears, but after consultation with other institutions, this number was reduced to 220. Authorities have been relocating aggressive bears to other regions of Romania. However, Minister Fechet told the broadcaster "Antena3 CNN" that this method achieves nothing. It only shifts the problem from one county to another.
Despite the international criticism, Romania's Environment Ministry continues to advocate for increased bear culling. This is a response to the rising number of attacks by these animals, especially towards tourists in popular hiking destinations like the Bucegi-Massif. Many animals, including brown bears, call Romania's Carpathians home, making it one of Europe's leading habitats for these animals.
