Romania Authorizes Culls for 859 Brown Bears Amid Rising Encounters
Romania has authorized the preventive culling of 859 brown bears this year under a newly signed law aimed at reducing the country’s growing wildlife population. President Nicușor Dan signed the legislation after previously challenging it before the Constitutional Court and returning it to parliament for review. The measure also permits the removal of an additional 110 protected large wild animals if they pose an immediate threat to human life.
The legislation passed the Chamber of Deputies on September 16, following months of political debate and legal scrutiny. Senator Tánczos Barna, serving as acting deputy prime minister and one of the initiators of the law, stated that the union sought to double preventive quotas for this year and 2027 to address what officials describe as an overpopulation of bears. Diana Buzoianu, the environment minister, previously announced plans to construct thousands of kilometers of electric fences to limit contacts between people and wild animals.
Legal delays hinder bear cull quotas
Local government officials warn that executing the quota before the end of the year is practically impossible due to delays caused by prior legal challenges. Raduly Istvan, prefect of Covasna County, noted that in the area of Sequiland, 86 bears were allotted for the year, with 30 animals already removed. Authorities registered roughly 300 reports of bears entering human settlements during the first eight months of the year alone.
The strict calendar constraint contrasts with the scale of the authorized culls. Under the new legal framework, feeding bears remains strictly prohibited, with fines ranging from 1,909 euros to 5,727 euros (10,000 to 30,000 lei).
Romania hosts Europe's largest brown bear population
Romania hosts Europe’s largest population of brown bears, accompanied by the highest genetic diversity among the species on the continent. Scientific mappings estimate the total bear population in the country between 10,600 and 12,700 specimens. Ministry estimates indicate that the current bear count sits at roughly three times the optimal for the territory of the country.
The Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania (RMDSZ) originally tabled the initiative, and subsequent parliamentary revisions secured its passage.
Romanian parliament approves bear culling law
When did the Romanian parliament give final approval to the bear culling law?
The Chamber of Deputies gave final approval to the legislation on September 16, after President Nicușor Dan returned the bill to parliament following an unsuccessful challenge at the Constitutional Court.
What are the penalties for feeding bears in Romania?
Feeding brown bears is strictly illegal under Romanian law, carrying fines that range from 1,909 euros to 5,727 euros, or 10,000 to 30,000 lei.
How many bear sightings were reported in populated areas ahead of the law?
Local authorities recorded nearly 300 separate incidents of bears entering towns and villages during the first eight months of the year.
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