Too many bears in Romania?
Romania has a bear population three times higher than optimal levels, says Environment Minister Mircea Fechet.
Mihai Pelin, 11.04.2025, 14:00
Romania has the largest population of bears in Europe, about 12,000 specimens, while the optimal number is 4,000. This is the main conclusion of a study carried out since 2021 by the Environment Ministry, jointly with the “Marin Drăcea” Institute for Research and Development in Forestry and the Romsilva National Forestry Administration. The importance of these results, as Environment Minister Mircea Fechet says, is that for the first time in history, we know exactly how many bears we have in our forests, based on solid scientific data. Mircea Fechet hopes that the results of this study will be useful in further conserving the species, while protecting human communities.
“My conclusion is that this study opens a new stage in the management of the brown bear population and I hope it will strike a balance between conservation, on the one hand, and the safety of citizens, between the protection of biodiversity and the interests of local communities. The authorities need to defend the lives of citizens, to protect them and to take all measures in this regard”.
The study seeks to serve as a basis for optimizing the number of brown bears in Romania, but also for reducing the risk of bears attacking human communities in areas that are currently vulnerable. More and more bears are coming down from the forests into settlements, threatening people’s households and lives. Recently, a bear was shot in Zăbala in Covasna County (center), after killing several sheep. Previously, a woman in the area was nearly attacked by a bear on a street, but was saved after several young people jumped in, chasing off the animal. A few days ago, in Predeal, Prahova County (center), a female bear was also shot after attacking and seriously injuring a mountain rescuer. In 2023, there were over 450 bear sightings in urban areas, with 330 such reports in Poiana Braşov alone in 2024.
The presence of these animals in human settlements, specialists say, is caused by several factors, such as the large number of dominant bears in the wild, but also the very high density of the bear population. For instance, in the area of the Postăvarul and Piatra Mare massifs there are 1.5 bears per square kilometer, respectively one bear per square kilometer, much more than the optimal number. Lately, parents too have become reluctant to leave their children in mountain camps because of bears. In the last year, their appearance has gone up in almost all mountain resorts and human settlements near hills or mountains. Hotel owners are also dissatisfied. They believe it is time for authorities to seriously discuss the problem and take action. According to the Poiana Brașov Organization of Tourism Employers, feeding bears in the forest could be a measure to keep wildlife away from inhabited areas. (VP)
