It's been years since such a large presence of bears had been recorded in Slovenia . From the 1960s until today, their number has skyrocketed to over 1100 individuals . And to think that only a century ago these animals were considered at risk of extinction. The constant expansion of their territory is now beginning to affect residential areas, and for this reason the government has approved the culling of 230 specimens.
Bear hunting in Slovenia, the government approves the killing of 230 bears
From the Kočevje forest, where bears lived and continue to live away from humans, these animals are now increasingly approaching cities. There is basically only one explanation for this phenomenon: bears have no natural enemy, they have plenty of food and consequently they reproduce more and more.
It's currently estimated that in the central-southern part of the country, there are an average of at least 13 individuals per 100 square kilometers . This might seem like excellent news for Slovenia's wildlife, where game populations are also steadily increasing. The problem, however, is that bears are now seeking new territory, pushing ever further inland and even towards the sea. This can only pose a problem for humans. Just a few weeks ago, several bears were spotted on the road, and one was reportedly hit and killed, scaring the other, who then ran off into the woods.
Managing nature is the first rule for safeguarding biodiversity
The government has therefore sought to find an ideal solution to this problem that is well-balanced for both bears and humans. While protecting the species is important , so too is protecting human safety . Furthermore, it must be considered that excessive numbers of a specific species actually represent a threat to biodiversity.
Authorities have concluded that a practical way to control the ever-increasing bear population is to cull some bears —230 to be precise. The goal is to bring the final number to around 800. Until a few years ago, when the population was even lower, the number of bears that could be killed was around 50-100. In this country, in fact, even though the bear is a protected species, it is subject to hunting and numerical control should the need arise.
Bear hunting in Slovenia will obviously be regulated. Hunters will only be able to shoot animals in certain areas, and the local Hunting Federation will be responsible for managing everything . This ancient association is a true institution in Slovenia, both historic and important for local hunters, who firmly believe they have a mission to fulfill for the good of ecosystems : maintaining nature in balance through the art of regulated hunting.
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