In response to a tragic incident where a man was killed by a bear, Slovakia's cabinet has sanctioned the culling of approximately a quarter of the nation's brown bear population. This decision comes amid growing concerns over bear attacks, despite resistance from environmentalists who argue that such measures violate international conservation commitments.
Slovakia Plans Major Bear Cull Following Fatal Attack
Slovakia Plans Major Bear Cull Following Fatal Attack
The Slovak government has approved a controversial plan to cull 350 brown bears after a man was killed in a recent bear attack, intensifying tensions between wildlife preservationists and public safety advocates.
The Slovak government is set to implement a drastic plan to cull roughly 350 of its brown bears following a fatal incident in which a man was mauled to death in a forest near Detva. In an announcement following a cabinet meeting led by Prime Minister Robert Fico, officials justified this action as necessary to protect public safety amid fears of increasing bear encounters.
Prime Minister Fico emphasized the need for people to feel secure in their natural surroundings, stating, "We can't live in a country where people are afraid to go into the woods." Consequently, a state of emergency has been expanded to cover 55 out of 79 districts, significantly increasing the area in which bears can legally be hunted.
Slovak authorities have modified regulations to make it easier to kill bears approaching human habitats, with 93 bears already killed by the end of 2024. However, these measures have ignited criticism from conservationists who view the culling as an unlawful response to a failure in managing wildlife encounters. Michal Wiezek, an ecologist and member of the opposition Progressive Slovakia party, described the cull as "absurd," asserting that the government is failing to address the root causes of bear attacks.
The tragic death of the 59-year-old victim, who was reported missing during a walk in the woods, was confirmed by police to have resulted from a bear attack. His body was discovered displaying severe injuries, corroborating the claims that a bear was indeed responsible. Following this incident, the political climate regarding bears has become increasingly fraught, particularly after other high-profile attacks, including one involving a Belarusian woman earlier this year.
Despite claims of a growing bear population, experts contest that the numbers remain stable around 1,270 bears. Authorities argue that a number closer to 800 would be more sustainable. As calls for intervention grow, both ecological and societal impacts of the proposed bear cull remain to be seen in Slovakia, a country known for its rich natural landscapes.
