Slovakia Approves Controversial Cull of 350 Bears Following Fatal Attack

Following the tragic mauling of a man in Central Slovakia, the Slovak cabinet has approved a plan to shoot approximately 350 bears, nearly a quarter of the country's estimated population. This decision has generated significant controversy among conservationists who argue it violates international wildlife protections.

The Slovak cabinet has taken a controversial step by approving a plan to cull approximately 350 brown bears after a series of fatal attacks, including one recently where a man was killed in a forest. Prime Minister Robert Fico’s government announced this decision from a cabinet meeting, expressing that the public's safety in forested areas must take precedence. "We can't live in a country where people are afraid to go into the woods," he stated.

To address the rising danger posed by bears, a special state of emergency has been declared, broadening the parameters allowing for bear culling across 55 of Slovakia's 79 districts. Previously, the government had relaxed legal protections surrounding bears, permitting a culling approach when these animals venture close to human settlements. By the end of 2023, reports indicated that 93 bears had already been killed under these revised laws.

Environmental advocates have fiercely criticized the government's approach, branding the culling plan as illegal and contrary to international obligations. Ecologist and MEP Michal Wiezek voiced to the BBC that “it’s absurd” to resort to culling rather than implementing effective preventive measures. He underscored that the vast majority of bear encounters do not result in harm, hoping that European environmental authorities would intervene.

The impetus for this extreme action stems from a recent incident in which a 59-year-old man was found dead in the woods of Central Slovakia, his injuries consistent with an attack from a bear. The local NGO noted evidence of a bear den in proximity to the scene of the tragedy.

Political tensions have escalated over bear management, driven by a rising number of aggressive encounters, including prior incidents that led to fatalities. In March 2023, a 31-year-old Belarusian woman tragically lost her life when pursued by a bear. Broader public concern was also evident when footage circulated showing a large bear roaming through a populated town during daylight.

Despite Minister of Environment Tomas Taraba's statement acknowledging a bear population of over 1,300 and advocating for a reduction to about 800, experts contest that the numbers have remained stable around 1,270 bears. The Carpathian mountain range, which encompasses Slovakia, Ukraine, and Poland, is known for hosting these bears. As public safety remains a pressing issue, the debate surrounding the culling continues to provoke intense discussions among authorities, conservationists, and the public.