Romania's parliament recently approved killing nearly 500 bears this year in response to what officials called an "overpopulation" crisis among protected species. The decision follows a tragic incident in which a 19-year-old tourist was killed by a bear while hiking in the Carpathian Mountains in Romania with her boyfriend.

Sabin Corniu, head of Romania's mountain rescue service, gave the horrific details: "The information we have is that the bear attacked a young woman walking along the trail, dragged her into nearby vegetation and ultimately threw her into the abyss before falling behind her." The bear was subsequently killed by rescuers after attempting to attack them.

Romania is home to Europe's largest population of brown bears outside Russia, estimated by the Ministry of the Environment at 8,000 bears. Bear attacks have occurred over the past two decades led to the death of 26 people and seriously injured 274 people throughout the country.

Prime Minister Marcel Ciolaku quickly responded to the public outcry after Diana's tragic death by summoning lawmakers after the summer holidays to an emergency meeting of Parliament. not only honored the young traveler with a minute of silence, but also passed a law allowing the slaughter of 481 bears in 2024, a significant increase from 220 the previous year.

Lawmakers justified their decision by citing alleged overpopulation bears, which they claim has contributed to the increase in attacks. However, they also acknowledged that culling alone will not prevent future incidents.

Environmental organizations including the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). ), sharply criticized this move. WWF biologist Kaelin Ardelin says culling does not address the root causes of conflicts between bears and people. He stressed the need for preventative measures such as improved waste management and policies to deter people from feeding wild animals.

In 2023, Romanian authorities received more than 7,500 emergency calls reporting bear sightings , which is an alarming increase compared to previous years. The surge highlights growing conflict between human settlements and wildlife habitat in the region.

The situation reflects concerns in neighboring Slovakia, where bear-related incidents have also increased. Earlier this year, a woman in Slovakia died after being chased by a bear in a dense forest, highlighting a similar pattern of human-wildlife conflict in the region.

In While Romania and Slovakia grapple with these issues, wildlife researchers emphasize the importance of balanced conservation strategies that prioritize both human safety and the conservation of endangered species such as brown bears. The debate over bear management continues to evolve, prompting calls for comprehensive solutions that go beyond immediate culling and include initiatives for sustainable habitat management and community education.

Source: timesofindia

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