Conservationists urge Slovakia to stop ‘massive bear culling’

BRATISLAVA: Conservationists on Tuesday called for an immediate halt to the “massive culling” of bears in Slovakia, after the government announced that a record 160 animals have been shot so far this year under new legislation aimed at controlling the protected species’ population.

Slovakia’s nationalist government in April approved the culling of 350 bears, citing a rising danger to humans and a steady increase in the bear population.

Authorities also declared a state of emergency in most districts over the “undesirable” bear presence following several deadly attacks, and even permitted the consumption of brown bear meat.

Earlier this week, the environment ministry confirmed that 160 bears had been shot across the country, calling it an all-time record.

“Slovakia has a positive population curve for bears, and therefore broad regulation is necessary,” Environment Minister Tomas Taraba told reporters.

Filip Kuffa, a state secretary at the ministry, said that taking into account natural deaths and captured or hunted bears, the overall population decrease likely “amounts to around 200 animals.”

Environmentalists, however, strongly condemned the policy. Marian Hletko warned that the “massive culling” could push the species toward extinction within decades, citing recent studies.

Lawmaker Michal Wiezik told AFP that “the killing of bears in Slovakia must stop,” adding that the current policy is “destroying nature on an unprecedented scale.”

Under EU directives, member states may cull bears only if they pose a direct threat to humans or property, and only when no other solutions are available.

Conservationists have repeatedly argued that increased culling has not reduced bear attacks, with 19 incidents recorded this year, injuring 17 people, according to local media.

Official estimates place Slovakia’s bear population between 1,012 and 1,275, while 92 bears were shot last year in the EU member state of 5.4 million people.