Slovakia has approved a plan to cull 350 bears following a fatal bear attack on a 59-year-old man in central Slovakia. Authorities discovered the man’s body on Sunday, and it appeared he had been mauled.
Environment Minister Tomáš Taraba reported that bear attacks on humans have been increasing, with 1,900 incidents recorded last year. Slovakia’s brown bear population is estimated to exceed 1,000.
Prime Minister Robert Fico emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We can’t live in a country where people are afraid of going to forests.”
In response to the growing threat, the government declared a state of emergency in 55 of Slovakia’s 72 counties. This measure grants the environment ministry the authority to issue permits for the cull directly.
Environmental groups have criticized the decision, arguing that it breaches Slovakia’s international commitments and that the country should focus on preventive strategies instead of lethal measures. In 2024, the environment ministry had previously authorized the killing of 144 bears, and a similar culling strategy was approved in Romania last year.
