They look cute, but are increasingly becoming a deadly threat to humans. Italy, Slovakia and Romania are now tackling the brown bears. However, animal rights activists think the measures are excessive.
The growing bear population in Europe is leading to more and more encounters between humans and animals. In the northern Italian province of Trentino, there is particular concern about the growing threat of brown bears. Fears were recently heightened by a bear attack on a French tourist.
“Kj1” has now been caught in a trap in the Alto Garda area, fitted with a radio collar and released. The bear has become rather conspicuous. But the attack on the tourist, who barely survived, has sparked new discussions about safety in the area and the impact on tourism.
Italy sees shootings as protection for tourism
After the incident, even the German Foreign Ministry issued a warning, urging travelers to be extra careful, especially in remote forest areas.
In Trentino itself, there is now talk of controlling the bear population through regulated shooting, in order to guarantee the safety of the population. But animal rights activists oppose shooting plans: such measures are often hasty and are taken without evidence of the danger posed by the animals affected.
Several injured in Slovakia
In Slovakia, too, fear reigns among the population. Not without reason: the photos of the bear that stormed through the streets of Liptovský Mikuláš and injured five people went viral. The city declared a state of emergency, chased the animal with biometric drone scans and had it shot.
Bear stronghold Romania doubles hunting quota
Romania, however, took the final step, killing a 19-year-old hiker on a popular hiking trail in the Carpathians as she and her boyfriend tried to escape the animal.
The country is home to the largest population of brown bears in Europe, with an estimated 6,000 to 7,000 animals. Given this high number and the increasing conflicts between humans and bears, Romanian authorities have now drastically increased the shooting quota for bears.
For 2024, the quota has more than doubled from 220 to 481 bears. But here too, the measure has caused controversy: some experts and conservation groups believe that this approach does not solve the problem and endangers the population.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
