The tragic incident raises concerns about human-bear encounters, which have surged in Romania, calling for urgent regulatory changes.
**Fatal Bear Attack in Romania Highlights Wildlife Management Crisis**
**Fatal Bear Attack in Romania Highlights Wildlife Management Crisis**
A motorcyclist was killed by a bear in Romania's scenic mountain region, emphasizing the need for improved wildlife management.
In a tragic incident, a motorcyclist lost his life after being attacked by a bear in one of Romania's picturesque mountain regions. The attack occurred early Tuesday morning near a popular tourist spot along the Transfagarasan road, where the victim had stopped to take in the scenery. Authorities reported that the bear dragged him down an 80-meter (262-foot) ravine, and, upon arrival, rescuers found him already deceased.
Ion Sanduloiu, head of the Arges County Mountain Rescue Service, noted that the man was wearing a helmet and protective gear, which proved insufficient against the severity of his injuries. He reiterated the advice for visitors: "do not stop, do not feed them, and keep your distance" from bears in the area.
As an investigation unfolds, the fate of the bear involved has yet to be determined. Romania boasts the largest population of brown bears in the European Union, with numbers estimated between 10,400 and 12,800 based on recent genetic studies. This marked increase has led to growing human-bear interactions, necessitating a re-evaluation of wildlife management strategies.
Former environment minister Mircea Fechet suggested that the sustainable bear population should be closer to 4,000. He advocated for streamlined laws to allow local authorities to take prompt action, including euthanizing bears that venture into populated areas. Additionally, the ministry plans to create risk zone maps to help balance bear conservation with community safety.
Gabriel Paun, founder of the environmental NGO Agent Green, criticized the mismanagement of wildlife rather than an overpopulation issue. He pointed to tourists interacting with wildlife and local authorities failing to adequately manage bear populations as contributing factors to such incidents.
As Romania grapples with the challenges of wildlife preservation amid rising human presence, stronger penalties for feeding bears have been suggested by officials as a potential preventive measure.
