In brief
Following a deadly bear attack in Central Slovakia, Prime Minister Robert Fico's government has sanctioned the culling of 350 brown bears, nearly a quarter of the country's population. The prime minister emphasized public safety, stating that people should not fear entering the woods. The emergency measure extends to 55 districts, amidst criticism from conservationists who argue it breaches international obligations. The bear population is reported to be stable, despite government claims of overpopulation.
The Slovak cabinet has officially approved a controversial plan to cull approximately 350 brown bears, about 25% of the nation's estimated 1,300 brown bears. This decision comes after a tragic incident where a man was fatally attacked while walking in a forest in Central Slovakia. Prime Minister Robert Fico clarified that the measure aims to enhance public safety, stating, "We can't live in a country where people are afraid to go into the woods." The state of emergency permitting the killing of these bears has been expanded to cover 55 out of 79 districts, with existing laws already relaxed to allow the shooting of bears that venture close to human settlements. By the end of 2024, authorities reported that 93 bears had already been killed. Conservationists have condemned this decision, claiming it violates international regulations and labeling it as an overreaction. Michal Wiezek, an ecologist and Member of the European Parliament representing the opposition, criticized the government for failing to mitigate bear attacks effectively. He suggested the increase in culling is an attempt to mask governmental shortcomings, pointing out that many bear encounters each year occur without incident.The incident that sparked this culling plan involved the grisly discovery of a man's body in a forest near Detva, with authorities confirming it was a bear mauling after noting evidence consistent with such an attack. The 59-year-old victim had been reported missing prior to the incident, and local NGO sources indicated that a bear den had been identified nearby. Concerns over the rising number of bear encounters have escalated into a political issue for the Slovak government. Fatalities related to bear encounters have been recorded previously, including an incident in which a Belarusian woman lost her life while fleeing from a bear. Despite claims by the authorities of controlling the situation, conservationists remain skeptical, insisting that the evidence suggests mismanagement. Environment Minister Tomas Taraba contended that a bear population of 800 would be "sufficient" given the current growth rates, while experts maintain that numbers remain relatively stable. Brown bears are prevalent across the Carpathian mountain range, impacting Slovakia's ecological balance and raising pressing questions about coexistence strategies between humans and wildlife.
