In the fight against problematic brown bears, Slovakia is for unusual measures: the cabinet in Bratislava has decided to use up to 50 professional soldiers at the end of October – equipped with modern military technology such as drones and thermal cameras.
Time and time again there are tragic accidents of people with brown bears in Slovakia. Now the country uses the army at the foot of the Hohen Tatra to help management. The cabinet in Bratislava approved the use of up to 50 professional soldiers until the end of October. They must therefore mainly support monitoring, ie follow and observe the animals in the wild.
Army helps with drones and cameras
In one of the first missions, a bear was killed on the site of an open-air museum in Pribylina in the north of the EU member state. To detect it, drones and thermal image cameras were used. “The equipment and technical aids of the army make a huge contribution to the identification of the brown bears,” said Filip Kuffa, State Secretary in the Ministry of Environment.
State Secretary Kuffa also provides instructions on the request for bear hunt:
The museum has been closed since the first perception of the bear, which apparently lost the embarrassment of people for safety reasons. The outdoor exhibition consists of old farms, a church and other buildings that were implemented in the construction of a reservoir and therefore saved from flooding. It is a popular destination for families with children.
Maximum 350 bears must be killed
According to the official count there are around 1200 freely living bears in Slovakia. At the beginning of April, the Slovak government decided to release 350 Brown Bears for shooting under Prime Minister Robert Fico – more than a quarter of the total population. An emergency to protect the population was also explained. Shortly before that, a 59 -year -old walker was attacked by a brown bear in a forest in Detva in Detva in Mittellovakia.
Brown bears strictly protected in the EU
The government’s decision caused indignation for environmental activists. In short, brown bears in the European Union are strictly protected by the Fauna-Flora-Habitat Directive from 1992. However, an exemption in accordance with Article 16 of the Directive makes limited decimation of bearers possible.
Brown bears usually avoid people when they see them on time. If there are surprising encounters or mother animals who see their boys in danger, the predators can attack.
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.
