Romania recently announced an increase in hunting quotas for brown bears as a measure to control the bear population and prevent deadly attacks on humans. This decision was taken after a series of bear attacks resulted in the death of a young climber in the Carpathian Mountains. The move sparked debate between those who support hunting as a solution and environmental groups who oppose it.
Background
Romania has the largest population of brown bears in Europe, outside Russia, with an estimated number of 8,000. Every year, the Ministry of the Environment sets hunting quotas to control the bear population which is considered excessive. In 2023, the hunting quota is set at 220 animals. But after recent deadly attacks, Romania's parliament decided to increase the quota to almost 500 by 2024.
Reasons for Increasing Quota
This increase in hunting quotas is driven by the increasing number of bear attacks on humans. In the last 20 years, 26 people have died from bear attacks in Romania. The latest attack that killed a 19-year-old climber was the main trigger for this decision. The Romanian parliament held an emergency session to discuss the issue and ultimately approved an increase in hunting quotas.
Pros and cons
The move has received support from some who believe that hunting is an effective way to control bear populations and reduce attacks on humans. Former Minister of the Environment, Barna Tánczos, stated that hunting is a legal method to control the bear population.
But environmental groups and wildlife experts oppose this move. They argue that hunting will not effectively solve the problem of bear attacks. They say the focus should be on prevention and intervention, such as managing problem bears and reducing human-bear interactions. They also highlight that climate change and urbanization reducing bears' natural habitat are the main factors driving bears closer to human settlements.
Environmental Impact
Increased bear hunting quotas also raise concerns about their impact on the ecosystem. Brown bears are a protected species in Romania, and excessive hunting can disrupt the balance of the ecosystem. Conservation groups such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) emphasize the importance of a more sustainable and science-based approach to managing bear populations.
Alternative Solution
Some alternative solutions proposed by environmental groups include installing electric fences around residential areas, using livestock guard dogs, and educating the public about how to avoid conflicts with bears. In addition, the rehabilitation and relocation program for problem bears is also considered a more humane and effective measure.
Causes Various Reactions
This policy has caused mixed reactions. On the one hand, there are those who argue that increasing hunting quotas is a necessary step to maintain public safety. On the other hand, environmental groups and wildlife experts criticized the decision, arguing that hunting would not have a significant impact on bear attack rates. They suggest that the focus be shifted to prevention and intervention, as well as addressing the problem of "problem bears" foraging in cities due to urban development eroding their habitat, climate change limiting their food sources, and human behavior feeding the bears.
Romania's Minister of the Environment, Mircea Fechet, stated that although the new law is a step forward, nothing can guarantee complete public safety. He stressed the need for a more comprehensive solution to address the problem of bears that attack households and that have become accustomed to being fed by humans.
Conclusion
Increasing bear hunting quotas in Romania is a controversial move that has sparked debate between those for and against it. While some see hunting as a solution to control bear populations and prevent deadly attacks, environmental groups stress the importance of a more sustainable and science-based approach. Moving forward, it is important for Romania to find a balance between protecting humans and preserving the brown bear population.
Hopefully this article is useful and provides a better understanding of the current situation in Romania. If you have any questions or other topics you'd like to discuss, don't hesitate to ask!
