The Slovak cabinet has announced plans to cull about 350 brown bears after a man was killed by one while hiking. This decision has raised concerns among conservationists about the legality and morality of such actions, especially following increasing bear encounters in the region.
Slovakia Approves Controversial Cull of Brown Bears Following Fatal Attack
Slovakia Approves Controversial Cull of Brown Bears Following Fatal Attack
In response to a tragic bear attack that resulted in a man's death, the Slovak government has authorized the culling of 350 brown bears, igniting debates on wildlife management and conservation.
The Slovak government has taken a decisive step towards wildlife management amid rising tensions following a fatal bear attack. Following the devastating death of a man in a forest near Detva, the cabinet has approved a cull of approximately 350 brown bears, a significant portion of the estimated 1,300 bears inhabiting the country. Prime Minister Robert Fico stated, “We can't live in a country where people are afraid to go into the woods,” justifying the need for this drastic measure during a press briefing.
The state of emergency allowing for bear killings has been expanded to cover 55 of the 79 districts in Slovakia, a move that has drawn ire from conservationists. Critics argue that the government’s actions violate international obligations and question the legality of culling protected species. Michal Wiezek, an ecologist and MEP for the opposition party Progressive Slovakia, criticized the Environment Ministry's failure to adequately manage bear populations, suggesting the cull was a cover-up for governmental shortcomings.
On Sunday, a local man, aged 59, was reported missing, and his body was later discovered with injuries consistent with a bear attack. Authorities have aligned their strategies to mitigate human-bear conflicts as incidents have surged. Just earlier this year, another tragic incident involved a 31-year-old woman who died after being pursued by a bear.
Despite claims from Environment Minister Tomas Taraba that the bear population is growing, experts suggest it has stabilized. Many bears roam across the Carpathian mountain range, shared by Romania, Ukraine, and Poland. The culling decision highlights a polarized debate in Slovakia regarding how best to coexist with wildlife, with conservationists advocating for alternative solutions to prevent attacks without resorting to lethal measures.
