The tragic death of a 19-year-old hiker in Romania’s Carpathian Mountains due to a bear attack has prompted Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu to convene a special parliamentary session to tackle the rising issue of bear attacks. The young woman was dragged away by the bear, necessitating emergency services to intervene. After an hour-long search, her body was recovered, and the bear was shot after attempting to attack rescuers.

Romania’s Brown Bear Population

Romania is home to over 8,000 brown bears, the largest population in Europe outside of Russia. With frequent attacks on humans and livestock, Environment Minister Mircea Fechet has proposed increasing shooting quotas. Fechet stated that 26 people have lost their lives to bear attacks in the past two decades.

Human Factors Contributing to Bear Attacks

Human activity, such as urban encroachment, logging, and climate change, is believed to be a significant factor in bear attacks. Trash left in dumpsters and on trails by tourists also plays a role. Animal rights groups advocate for education, electric fences, and habitat management as preventative measures rather than increasing bear culling.