The government of **Slovakia** approved this Wednesday the culling of **350 bears**, arguing that they represent a threat to the [population’s security](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/alaska-autoriza-la-caza-de-osos-y-lobos-con-helicopteros/). The decision, which sparked controversy, was deemed **illegal** by environmental defenders, as it goes against a European directive on the **protection of the species**.
Slovak authorities took this measure following **several recent attacks**, including the discovery last Sunday of the remains of a man in the country’s center, who, according to authorities, **had been attacked by a bear**.
**”We cannot live in a country where people are afraid to go into the forest,”** declared Prime Minister **Robert Fico** to justify the decision.
### State of Emergency and Relaxation of Rules
The Fico government went further by declaring a **state of emergency in various districts**, citing the **”undesirable”** presence of bears in inhabited areas.
In May 2024, the Slovak Parliament had already relaxed the rules for the culling of these animals, allowing exceptions to the ban in different regions. However, Slovakia must comply with the European directive that only allows [the elimination of bears](https://noticiasambientales.com/medio-ambiente/un-pais-de-europa-va-a-matar-al-20-de-su-poblacion-de-osos/) **in specific cases**, such as when they pose an imminent danger or have caused significant damage.
Despite this, bear hunting has been on the rise in the country. In 2024, **93 specimens were culled** and another **36 died in traffic accidents**, according to the local newspaper **Dennik N**.
The Minister of Environment, **Tomas Taraba**, justified the measure by stating that the current bear population in Slovakia exceeds **1,300 specimens**, while he believes that **800 would be a more appropriate number**.
### Environmental Rejection and Calls for Prevention
The decision was harshly criticized by **environmental organizations**, which denounced the government for failing to meet its international commitments regarding conservation.
Wildlife advocates proposed **alternative measures** to manage coexistence with bears, including **public education**, waste control, and security strategies in natural areas.
**”Instead of killing bears, the government should focus on prevention, education, and waste management,”** activists stated in a press release.
### A Problem Affecting Romania as well
What is happening in Slovakia is not an isolated case. Romania, which hosts the largest bear population in Europe outside of Russia, with **around 8,000 specimens**, also faces coexistence issues with these animals. Faced with an increase in incidents, the Romanian government recently authorized the **culling of 500 bears**, a decision that, like in Slovakia, was strongly questioned by environmental groups.
The conflict between the **protection of wildlife** and the safety of communities continues to generate debate in Europe, as governments seek solutions that balance both priorities.
### Attacks on People as an Argument
Regarding attacks on people, over the past 25 years, **about 108 attacks have been recorded**, resulting in the death of individuals only on two occasions: in October in Liptovský Mikuláš, in the north of the country, and now in Detva. Although there were no injuries, the presence of these animals kept numerous populations on edge.
On the other hand, the number of bears culled since 2000 stands at 604 specimens. **2024 stood out as the record year** with 94 shot down and 50 dead due to **traffic accidents, poisoning, poaching, or intraspecies aggression**, according to the Slovak Ministry of Environment.
Regarding the decision to cull 350 bears, **Greenpeace Slovakia** and other environmental and conservation organizations strongly criticized the Government’s decision to prioritize the killing of brown bears. For this reason, the NGOs pointed out that **authorities ignore scientific evidence and jeopardize biodiversity conservation**, in addition to the fact that the killing of these specimens is “too extreme”.
Moreover, they argue that conflicts with these animals often arise from **inadequate waste and food management**, and that there are non-lethal and effective methods to prevent incidents.
Source: AFP.
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