Bratislava – A proposal to cull 350 bears in Slovakia has raised serious concerns about the future stability and viability of the bear population. This warning is articulated in a letter from 27 experts across nine European countries, directed at Environment Minister Tomáš Taraba (a nominee of the SNS). The environmental organization Aevis shared this information with TASR. The European Commission (EC) highlighted last August that the EU Habitats Directive prohibits preventive culling of brown bears.
Aevis reports that specialists from various universities and research institutions in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Spain, Greece, Turkey, the Netherlands, and Ukraine concur that culling is not a viable solution. They are urging an immediate reevaluation of the decision and a stop to the wide-scale hunting. Among the signatories are zoologists, scientists, ecologists, and large carnivore conservation experts, including members of the IUCN SSC Bear Specialist Group.
“We find this decision to be unscientific and contrary to current understanding of the population state and dynamics of this species in Slovakia. Considering the cross-border implications, we believe this move could significantly affect bear populations and their long-term sustainability in neighboring countries,” the scientists caution.
Genetic studies suggest the brown bear population in Slovakia is around 1,056 individuals, significantly lower than hunting estimates of 3,400. A culling of 350 bears, combined with deaths from vehicle collisions and poaching, could potentially lead to a decline of 500 bears, according to Aevis. Experts warn that such losses could jeopardize the genetic diversity, stability, and long-term viability of the bear population.
Last year, 93 bears were hunted, with another 51 killed by other means. The occurrence of a human fatality in a separate incident further illustrates that large-scale culling is not an effective approach. Scientists advocate for targeting specific issues instead of broad culling, recommending interventions for individual bears that pose risks. They stress the importance of implementing preventive measures as well, such as better waste management and removing accessible food sources that lure bears into human communities. Additionally, they call for increased investment in public education to prevent bear encounters and inform people on how to act should they come across a bear.
“Experts are urging the government to amend laws to promote more effective damage prevention strategies and to provide financial support to farmers, livestock breeders, and beekeepers affected by bear-related damages,” Aevis stated.
Minister Taraba indicated that he is not swayed by this appeal, emphasizing that while bears belong in nature, they should not exist in “overpopulated forms” that threaten human health, tourism, and ecosystems. He suggested that activists from the nine involved countries focus on managing their bear populations, which are present in only symbolic numbers in most of Europe. (May 2)
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