The number of calls to 112 announcing the appearance of bears has increased from year to year. In the first 7 years of 2024 alone, more than 2,200 calls regarding the presence of bears were recorded, according to STS.
Over 2,200 112 calls signaling the presence of bears – Photo Archive
In 2023, the Special Telecommunications Service (STS) recorded 7,587 calls announcing the presence of bears. This while in 2019 and 2020, there were 1,654 calls and 1,757, according to STS.
And this year, by mid-July, 2,264 calls had already been registered.
Calls to 112 – STS Facebook photo
This is because it is estimated that approximately 8,000 bears live in Romania, and the 2023 genetic census indicates that thousands of bears in our country do not have an adequate habitat. Specifically, we have almost half of the total population of brown bears in Europe. The situation reflects inadequate management of the bear population, highlighted by recent genetic research. The 2016 bear hunting ban has led to an overpopulation.
Recently, President Klaus Iohannis promulgated the law aimed at measures to manage the bear population.
The law establishes that, in order to prevent bear attacks on the human population and the material damage caused by these animals, for the year 2024, the harvesting of a number of 426 brown bears, which represents a national level of prevention, and a number of 55 specimens of brown bear, which represents the level of intervention at the national level.
Sweden, meanwhile, has issued licenses to kill 20 percent of its brown bear population in its annual bear hunt, just under 500 bears. In 2023 alone, 722 bears were killed in this country.
Counties where bears are making their appearance more and more often
Bears are found in almost all mountain regions in Romania, certain areas stand out for a higher frequency of interactions with people, which makes them more dangerous.
Covasna and Harghita counties in particular reported a significant number of bear incidents, including attacks on people and property damage.
Two days ago, the Inspectorate for Emergency Situations Harghita sent in just one and a half hours, three RO-Alert messages announcing the presence of bears in inhabited areas. For the locals of Harghita, these messages have become a habit.
Also, the counties of Brașov and Prahova, known for their tourist attractions, recorded frequent incidents, especially in rural areas and near mountain trails.
The Făgăraș Mountains, the Apuseni Mountains and the Rodnei Mountains, although not as affected, are still known for the presence of bears and have had isolated incidents.
A few months ago, a bear arrived within walking distance of the Capital.
While many people are increasingly frightened by the presence of these very powerful wild animals, others want to see them up close. For this, I pay between $44 and $112 to travel agencies that offer “Bear Safari” experiences on Transfăgărășan. These tours last 12 hours and include visits to local attractions such as Poenari Fortress and Vidraru Dam, and guarantee tourists that “they will see wild brown bears, from May to October.”
Bear attacks in 2024
But feeding bears and being close to them can lead to dangerous behavior and attacks. Specialists point out that bears get used to the presence of people, and become more aggressive and more prone to attacks.
“It’s a lot of nonsense, a fed bear, it’s a dead bear. He gets used to the man, he’s used to it, then he wants to take the food from the man when he sees him and attacks people. Tourists have nothing to do to feed the bears, get down and photograph them. They put themselves in danger, it’s enormous idiocy.“, stated Ovidiu Ionescu, vice-dean of the Faculty of Forestry in Brașov, for “Adevărul”.
Recently, a 19-year-old woman died after being attacked by a bear on a mountain trail near the Buşteni resort in Prahova county.
In April, a woman from Scotland was bitten by a bear in the Vidraru Dam area. The 72-year-old woman, accompanied by a friend, tried to photograph two bears up close. After they rolled down the window for a better picture, a bear bit her arm.
On August 14, a man who was picking mushrooms outside the village of Cetătăuia was attacked by a bear, being transported with several wounds, but in a stable condition, to the Miercurea-Ciuc County Emergency Hospital.
Information emerging in the public domain indicates an alarming increase in bear-related incidents.
recommendation
To prevent unwanted encounters with bears while hiking, it is essential to follow some safety measures on mountain trails. Always go in groups and make noise to alert the bears to your presence; a bell hanging from your backpack can help with this.
Avoid hiking in fog or rain, as bears can be harder to spot.
Keep food in tightly closed containers and hang it away from the campsite to avoid attracting wild animals.
Carry a whistle, pepper spray or firecrackers, which can be used to scare away bears if encountered, police say.
The most important thing is not to feed the bears or get close to them to take pictures, the mountain rescuers warn.
