Introduction

In a shocking move that has ignited fierce debate, Slovakia's government has approved a plan to cull approximately a quarter of the country's brown bear population after a tragic incident in which a man was mauled to death in a central Slovak forest. This decision comes amidst heightened concerns over human-bear encounters in the region.

Government Announcement

Prime Minister Robert Fico, leading a populist-nationalist cabinet, revealed the shocking culling initiative at a recent cabinet meeting, stating that 350 bears will be eliminated from an estimated 1,300 currently inhabiting Slovakia’s forests. The prime minister emphasized the government's commitment to public safety, asserting, “We can't live in a country where people are afraid to go into the woods.”

State of Emergency

In response to escalating bear attacks, a special state of emergency has been declared, allowing hunting across 55 out of Slovakia's 79 districts. This drastic measure reflects the growing tension surrounding wildlife management in the country, with the hunt for bears already having claimed 93 lives by the end of 2024.

Conservationist Opposition

Conservationists have vehemently criticized the government's plan, arguing it violates international wildlife protection standards and may be illegal. Michal Wiezek, an ecologist and member of the European Parliament for the opposition party Progressive Slovakia, condemned the culling decision as “absurd.” He accused the Environment Ministry of failing to properly manage bear populations and suggested that the government is using culling as a way to mask its failures. Wiezek pointed out that most human-bear encounters occur without incident, advocating for intervention from the European Commission to address these concerns.

Tragic Incident

The call for bear culling came in light of recent tragic incidents. Police have confirmed that a 59-year-old man was found dead from bear injuries near Detva, a town in Central Slovakia, after previously being reported missing. His death was linked directly to a bear attack, with signs of a nearby bear den corroborating investigators’ findings.

Rising Concerns

The bear situation has grown increasingly precarious in Slovakia, as incidents involving bear confrontations are on the rise. Previously, in March 2024, a 31-year-old Belarusian woman died after falling into a ravine while fleeing from a bear in northern Slovakia. Notably, a disturbing video surfaced soon after, showing a brown bear roaming the streets of Liptovsky Mikolas during daylight hours, further fueling public anxiety.

Population Management

Environment Minister Tomas Taraba recently stated that Slovakia's bear population is estimated at over 1,300, yet he contended that maintaining a population of around 800 bears would be “sufficient,” given that numbers are perceived to be growing. However, experts argue the population is relatively stable around 1,270.

Conclusion

Bears are native to the Carpathian mountain range, which spans several Central and Eastern European nations, including Romania, Ukraine, Poland, and importantly, Slovakia. As this culling initiative unfolds, the balance between wildlife conservation and human safety continues to spark heated discussions within Slovakia and beyond, leaving many to wonder what the future holds for the region's brown bear population.