Tougher measures against aggressive bears
The Romanian government has adopted an emergency ordinance concerning dangerous bears
Leyla Cheamil, 07.11.2025, 13:50
Dangerous bears are once again the focus of attention for the authorities in Bucharest, after they have killed or maimed people and caused damage to homes in recent years. The government in Bucharest has adopted an emergency ordinance that simplifies the procedure for euthanizing bears in order to protect communities where these mammals are present and attack almost daily.
Environment Minister Diana Buzoianu said that, in this way, the Executive is trying to find a “balanced” solution to a problem that Romania has been facing for several years. In this regard, she stressed the importance of protecting biodiversity, but also the safety of citizens. The Minister of the Environment has explained that the new regulations are meant to protect communities in areas where the presence of bears is increasing, but do not give the green light to shoot them; rather, each case must be analysed individually. It is not a matter of making it easier to shoot bears, but of being able to resort to this solution in case of imminent danger.
Diana Buzoianu: “What we did with this law was not to make it mandatory to shoot bears. We provided an option, we removed the condition of gradualism, but emergency committees can still determine that there is no danger and, yes, not shoot bears that are, for example, between one and two years old, if they consider that there is no risk to the community. There will be an analysis that will have to be done by the Emergency Commission, which includes the mayor, the veterinarian, the representative of Romsilva, and the gendarmerie or local police.”
Estimates show that there are currently between 10,000 and 12,000 bears in Romania. Diana Buzoianu stated that, at the end of November, the results of a study on the number of bears in Romania and their distribution across different areas of the country will be presented. This will allow intervention quotas to be established scientifically.
The law also significantly increases fines for those who feed these animals. Minister Diana Buzoianu announced that feeding these animals will be punishable by fines ranging from 10,000 to 30,000 lei. She pointed out that, in addition to being an extremely dangerous practice, it alters the natural behaviour of these animals, reducing their fear of humans, attracting them to populated areas, and increasing the risk of attacks. Regarding the placement of dangerous bears in sanctuaries, Diana Buzoianu explained that there is only one such sanctuary in Romania. The sanctuary, which is to be financed and completed only at the end of next year, can take in approximately 80 bears. (MI)
