The Slovak government has declared a state of emergency in several regions of the country due to the large presence of bears posing a threat to people.
The State Nature Conservation Service previously suggested the regulated culling of 350 brown bears, and on Wednesday, the government approved their proposal.
The state of emergency in several regions will be in effect from 14:00 on Wednesday.
“The aim of this measure is to ensure emergency intervention in the brown bear population in certain areas of the Slovak Republic to maximize the protection of the lives and health of the population,” stated the Ministry of the Environment. Minister of the Environment Tomáš Taraba is tasked with ensuring decisions regarding permits for exceptions to the environmental prohibitions on killing bear individuals.
Last year, there were several incidents of bear attacks on people in Slovakia, including one resulting in death. In March of this year, a man fought off an attacking she-bear with an axe.
