Whether to exterminate or find ways to coexist with brown bears has become a contentious issue among farmers, lawmakers, and conservation experts in Romania.
In Romania, home to the largest population of brown bears in Europe outside of Russia, incidents of brown bears attacking humans are on the rise as they venture out of the forests in search of food from tourists or unsecured garbage bins. This issue has sparked a heated debate between farmers and livestock breeders on one side and conservation experts on the other. Romanian authorities have significantly increased the number of bears that can be culled this year by 50%, raising the total to 220. Some lawmakers even want to double this number. They argue that brown bears pose a threat and that their population is skyrocketing. The Romanian Ministry of Environment estimates the brown bear population to be around 8,000, AFP reported on October 23.
A bear eating a sandwich thrown by a passing driver. (Photo: AFP)
However, experts counter these claims, stating that authorities are using outdated and inaccurate methods to count the species, which is protected by the European Union. The results of a DNA study to ensure that wandering bears are not double-counted are still pending. Conservationists emphasize that conflicts between humans and bears can be better managed without resorting to killing the animals. Yet, some local residents in the Carpathian Mountains express fear due to the increasing encounters with brown bears. Official statistics show that 14 people have died and 158 have been injured in brown bear attacks from 2016 to 2021.
Herder Tibor Fekete, who raises 70 cows on pastures near the road leading to Lake Saint Anne, wants to see brown bears culled. He reported that brown bears have killed three of his cows this year. “Bears cause damage and threaten our lives,” Fekete stated. He also complained about the costs of keeping six dogs to protect his herd. Last month, a bear wandered into a school yard in the city of Miercurea Ciuc, located 30km away, and climbed a tree. Rescue teams decided to kill the animal rather than chase it away or tranquilize it to ensure the safety of over 1,700 students in the school.
Bears can still attack even when tranquilized, according to Attila Koro, the mayor of Miercurea Ciuc, who supports culling more brown bears. He noted that there are more bears being chased off the streets here than last year.
Sport hunting of brown bears has been banned in Romania since 2016, with only specialists permitted to shoot them. Lawmakers, led by MP Barna Tanczos, have introduced a bill to permit the culling of nearly 500 bears a year. According to Tanczos, if this is not done, brown bears will wander into lower areas such as the capital Bucharest or the Danube Delta. However, his proposal is being challenged by conservationists, who fear that increasing quotas could pave the way for trophy hunting and that non-problematic bears could also be shot.
Not far from Miercurea Ciuc, the small mountain town of Baile Tusnad is striving to become a “smart brown bear management community.” With advice from Imecs and conservation organizations like WWF, the town is testing bear-proof garbage bins and installing 400 electric fences around homes. Additionally, there is an app providing guidance on what to do to avoid conflicts with the animals. From 50 damage incidents in 2021, the town reported a decrease to zero incidents in 2022 and 2023. Laci, a resident of the town, installed an electric fence years ago. “Anyone in Tusnad who says they are not afraid of bears is a liar or foolish. We are just trying to coexist with bears. There is no other way,” Laci shared.
