Slovakia Approves Controversial Cull of 350 Bears Following Fatal Attack

The Slovak government has sanctioned the culling of approximately 350 brown bears, nearly a quarter of the nation’s bear population, in the wake of a man being killed by a bear in a forest in Central Slovakia. Prime Minister Robert Fico's cabinet announced the decision during a meeting, expressing concerns over public safety prompted by escalating bear attacks. With the state of emergency now covering 55 out of 79 districts, it reflects a growing sentiment that the forests have become unsafe for citizens.Under the current measures, legal protections for bears have loosened, permitting their shooting if they approach human dwellings. By the end of 2024, reports indicate that 93 bears had already been taken down. This swift action has drawn sharp criticisms from environmental advocates, who deem the government's approach counterproductive and potentially unlawful given international conservation obligations.Ecologist Michal Wiezek, representing the opposition party Progressive Slovakia, condemned the culling policy as an ill-considered response to a complicated issue. He emphasized that numerous encounters between bears and humans typically occur without harm, urging intervention from the European Commission on behalf of the bears.The tragic incident that triggered this decision involved a 59-year-old man who was found deceased in the woods near Detva, with injuries consistent with a bear attack. An NGO disclosed that evidence of a bear's den was located nearby, intensifying the urgency of the government's response. The situation has escalated politically, particularly after a series of encounters with bears, including a notable incident where a bear was sighted running through a public area in Liptovsky Mikolas.Environment Minister Tomas Taraba maintains that the bear population stands at over 1,300, arguing that reducing their numbers to approximately 800 is necessary for ecological balance. However, many experts contest these figures, asserting that the population is stable at around 1,270 bears. The ongoing debate continues as Slovakia grapples with the intersection of wildlife management and community safety in the Carpathian region.