BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — In response to a recent lethal encounter between a bear and a human, Slovakia has green-lighted a controversial plan to reduce its bear population by 350.
The body of a 59-year-old man was discovered in central Slovakia on Sunday, and authorities have indicated that he was likely fatally attacked by a bear.
Environment Minister Tomáš Taraba noted an alarming increase in bear attacks on humans, reporting that such incidents numbered 1,900 in the past year. The nation’s brown bear population is currently estimated to exceed 1,000.
Prime Minister Robert Fico expressed concerns over public safety, stating, “We can’t live in a country where people are afraid of going to forests.”
In addition to the culling plan, the government has declared a state of emergency across 55 of Slovakia’s 72 counties. This move empowers the environment ministry to expedite the issuance of culling permits.
Environmental organizations have criticized the government’s decision, arguing it breaches Slovakia’s international commitments and suggesting that preventive measures should be prioritized instead.
The environment ministry previously sanctioned the culling of 144 bears in 2024. A similar strategy was implemented in Romania last year.