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Bratislava – A blanket culling of 350 bears in Slovakia could seriously threaten the stability and viability of the bear population. This warning comes from 27 experts from nine European countries in a letter addressed to the Minister of the Environment, Tomáš Taraba (a nominee of the SNS). The environmental organization Aevis informed TASR about this. The European Commission (EC) warned last August that the EU Habitats Directive does not allow for the preventive culling of brown bears.
According to Aevis, experts from universities and research institutions from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Spain, Greece, Turkey, the Netherlands, and Ukraine agree that such culling is not an effective solution. They are calling for an immediate reassessment of the decision and a halt to the blanket hunting. Among the signatories are zoologists, scientists, ecologists, and experts on the conservation of large carnivores, including members of the IUCN SSC Bear Specialist Group.
“We consider this decision to be unsystematic and contrary to current scientific knowledge about the state and dynamics of this species’ population in Slovakia. Given the cross-border context, we believe that this decision could have a significant impact on the bear population and its long-term sustainability in neighboring countries,” the scientists warn.
Genetic studies estimate the population of brown bears in Slovakia to be approximately 1,056 individuals, which is less than the hunting estimates of 3,400 animals. A blanket culling of 350 individuals, along with losses caused by collisions with cars and poaching, could result in a decline of 500 bears, Aevis stated. Such a loss, according to bear experts, would threaten the genetic diversity, stability, and long-term viability of their population.
Experts remind that last year, 93 bears were hunted, and another 51 individuals were killed by other means. Nevertheless, there was an incident involving a human death. This, they say, confirms that blanket culling is not an effective solution. Scientists recommend focusing on addressing specific problems, namely interventions against individual bears that behave riskily. They also emphasize the need to implement effective preventive measures, such as better securing of waste and removing easily accessible food sources that attract bears to human settlements. They also call for more investment in public education on how to prevent encounters with bears and how to behave in the event of a close encounter.
“Experts urge the government to amend legislation in favor of more effective damage prevention and to financially support livestock breeders, beekeepers, and farmers who face damage caused by bears,” Aevis stated.
Minister Taraba declared that he is not interested in this appeal and clarified that bears belong in nature, but not in “overpopulated forms” and cannot pose a threat to the health and lives of people, tourism, and the broader ecosystem. He advised activists from nine countries to take care of their bears, which most European countries have only in symbolic numbers in their territories. (May 2)