Romania has recently made headlines after overturning a law banning bear hunting, following a tragic incident in which a young hiker was mauled to death by a bear in the Bucegi mountains. The government’s decision has reignited a heated debate about the country’s growing bear population, the largest in Europe outside of Russia.
The incident occurred on July 9th when 19-year-old Diana Cazacu was attacked by a young female bear while hiking with her boyfriend. Despite efforts by the mountain rescue service, Salvamont, to save her, Diana tragically lost her life. The rescue team was forced to defend themselves against the bear before a hunter arrived and shot the animal.
The new law, passed by the Chamber of Deputies and approved by President Klaus Iohannis, allows for the killing of up to 500 bears over the next 18 months. Former Environment Minister Barna Tanczos, the author of the law, argues that the bear population in Romania is increasing at an alarming rate and poses a threat to both humans and the bears themselves.
However, critics like Cristi Remus Papp from the Worldwide Fund for Nature argue that the root cause of conflicts between bears and humans must be addressed, such as the mass feeding of bears near settlements and tourist areas. The practice of feeding bears by hunters’ associations, initially meant to make them easier to shoot, has now become a tourist attraction, leading to more bear-human conflicts.
Despite the controversy surrounding the new law, some towns like Baile Tusnad have successfully implemented bear management strategies, such as bear-proof bins and public awareness campaigns. These efforts have significantly reduced bear alerts in the area, demonstrating that coexistence with bears is possible with the right measures in place.
As the debate over bear hunting in Romania continues, concerns remain about the impact of culling on the bear population and the potential influx of hunters seeking trophies. The future of Romania’s bears hangs in the balance as the country grapples with finding a sustainable solution to manage its growing bear population.
