Romania has approved a measure that risks marking a point of no return in the management of European wildlife. Parliament has in fact ordered the extension of the harvest quota, authorizing the killing of almost 900 brown bears (859 to be precise) between 2026 and 2027. The measure aims to contain a population estimated between 10,000 and 13,000 specimens, the largest in the European Union outside of Russia. A terrible and wrong decision: resorting to weapons to resolve the emergency represents a shortcut that does not address the true roots of the conflict between man and nature. A choice which, clearly, sparked the firm opposition of those who protect animals.
Irresponsible behavior along the Transfăgărășan
The panorama in which this crisis is taking place sees the spectacular road artery of the Transfăgărășan, in the Carpathian Mountains, as its epicenter. Here coexistence has degenerated due to the incivility of tourists, who systematically ignore the prohibitions and warning signs to take selfies and feed food to the plantigrades. In just one morning, at least 20 brown bears were recorded having ventured close to the roadways. A deleterious habit that weanes wild animals from natural hunting, increasing urban incursions in places like Predeal, where residents say they can no longer leave their homes in the evening due to the animals’ constant visits to the rubbish bins.
@Romania Ever gotten a high five from a bear? Imagine driving along the famous Transfăgărășan, known as one of the world’s most spectacular roads, when a bear approaches your car and gives you an actual high five. It’s an unbelievable moment, yet a sobering reminder of the dangers these majestic creatures face in Romania’s Carpathian Mountains. While this may seem like a fun and harmless interaction, it poses significant dangers to both humans and bears. Bears that become accustomed to human contact can lose their natural fear of people, leading to more frequent and risky encounters. These interactions often result in bears approaching roads and villages, where they are at a higher risk of being hit by vehicles or being shot. Feeding or engaging with these animals disrupts their natural behaviors, making them more dependent on human-provided food, which is detrimental to their health and survival. Such encounters also lead to serious consequences for the bears. When bears become too accustomed to human interaction, they are often deemed “nuisance” animals and may be relocated or even euthanized for safety reasons. It’s a tragic outcome for creatures that are merely trying to survive in an ever-shrinking habitat. Seeing a bear up close is a thrilling experience, but it’s crucial to keep a safe distance and respect their wild nature. Have you ever thought about the impact our actions have on wildlife and how we can better protect these incredible creatures? Video by @wr.amaliasara (Bear Sighting, Transfăgărășan Drive, Carpathian Wildlife, Brown Bear Population, Romania Roads, Wildlife Conservation, Bear Habitat, Romanian Nature, Scenic Drives, Carpathian Mountains, Forest Ecosystem, Wildlife Risks, Bear Encounters, Nature Conservation, Wild Romania, Eco-tourism, Habitat Protection, Romanian Wilderness, Animal Encounters, Scenic Routes) #romania #travel #bears #Transfăgărășan #Carpathians #wildlife #nature #adventure #conservationtok
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The harsh protest of associations and experts
Environmental associations have expressed total dissent towards the hunting ban. Cristina Lapis, representative of the Libearty Sanctuary (a structure that hosts 140 rescued bears), highlighted how the hunts will not stop the synanthropic specimens: the hunters will aim for the large trophy specimens in the heart of the woods, ignoring the females with cubs who frequent the inhabited centers.
Along the same lines, Ciprian Galusca, a member of the Climate Adaptation Platform Association, underlines how the authorities have completely neglected waste management, the maintenance of electric fences and the application of sanctions. Eliminating hundreds of animals is not the correct path: we need responsibility and education, not the use of weapons and the extermination of innocent bears.
