Latest news Brown bear seriously injures hunter in Slovakia
A brown bear has attacked two men in Slovakia and seriously injured one of them. The older of the two was flown to hospital by helicopter, according to the rescue service. He suffered severe bite and scratch wounds during the attack in the Malá Fatra mountains. The younger one, on the other hand, was only slightly injured when he tried to protect himself from the bear and fell.
21.03.2025, 22:25
SDA
As reported by the state nature conservation agency, the two men were a hunter and his son who were refilling salt for wild animals at a feeding station. They had apparently surprised the bear hiding in the undergrowth. The incident took place near the Sutovo waterfall in the Mala Fatra nature reserve, which is popular with tourists. The area is now being monitored by nature conservationists and the so-called brown bear task force. Hikers have been called upon to exercise increased caution.
Controversial bear killings
According to official counts, there are around 1,200 bears living in the wild in Slovakia. They normally avoid people if they notice them in time. However, they can attack in the event of a surprise encounter or if mother animals see their cubs in danger. Individual encounters have ended fatally in recent years.
In principle, bears are protected all year round in Slovakia and may only be shot in exceptional cases if they pose a threat to humans. However, under pressure from hunters and local politicians, the government in Bratislava decided last year to allow up to 100 so-called "problem bears" to be shot. This decision is politically highly controversial.
