Slovakian authorities have come under fire for allowing hunters to kill more bears deemed “dangerous” to local residents, with critics arguing that it is actually a way to legalize trophy hunting. From January to mid-July, over three dozen bears were killed, sparking uproar among ecologists and activists. The move comes after a series of bear attacks last year led to calls to reassess the protected status of bears in Slovakia.
Environment Minister Tomáš Taraba insists that the increased hunting is necessary to protect residents, but opponents, including MEP Michal Wiezik, believe it is simply a way to cater to hunters. The European brown bear is currently protected under the EU Habitats Directive and the Bern Convention, but Slovakia was granted provisional approval to amend its laws to allow for hunting near populated areas.
However, ecologists like Erik Baláž argue that preventive measures, such as using bear-proof bins and trained dogs to protect livestock, are more effective than culling the bear population. The European brown bear was nearly extinct in Slovakia in the 1930s, with as few as 20-60 remaining, and conservation efforts have helped increase their numbers since then.
Despite some videos showing encounters between bears and residents, the data shows that the number of bear attacks has only slightly increased since 2000. Critics believe that the focus should be on implementing preventative measures rather than increasing hunting opportunities for hunters.
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