More than 40 bears in Slovakia shot
Slovakia is known for its large population of brown bears. However, conflicts with people keep occurring. According to the state nature protection authority of the country, 41 so-called "problem bears" have been shot from the beginning of the year until mid-July.
"In every single case, it was about individuals that had lost their fear of humans or posed a threat to the lives, health, and property of citizens," a spokesperson in Banska Bystrica stated. Before the release to shoot, an extensive examination takes place.
There is a new uniform number in Slovakia to report dangerous encounters with these animals. The number 18081 can be reached around the clock to contact a control center. This can dispatch intervention teams, among other things. A focus of the nature protection authorities' work is on education and prevention. For example, they ensure that trash cans are closed to prevent bears from being attracted to houses.
In Slovakia, with approximately 5.4 million inhabitants, there are estimated to be around 1,300 brown bears. They prefer to live in mountains or dense forests. Incidents keep occurring. In the spring, more than a dozen people were injured, some seriously, including hikers, mushroom pickers, and forest workers. In March, a tourist fell and died while running away from a bear.
In case of an unexpected encounter with a brown bear, experts advise standing calmly and slowly backing away. Under no circumstances should one wave their arms, throw stones, shout loudly, or take a selfie.
More conflicts between bears and people have been reported in Slovakia, resulting in the shooting of 41 "problem bears" this year. To prevent such encounters, efforts are being made to educate the public and ensure trash cans are closed, reducing attractions to houses. Despite these measures, incidents involving bears, such as injuries to hikers and forest workers, continue to accumulate.
