Romania may be home to as many as 13,000 brown bears, almost twice as many as previously thought, the country’s forestry research institute has said, as officials promised new laws to allow communities to deal with “crisis bear situations”.The institute’s study of 25 counties in the Carpathian mountains was the first to use DNA samples from material such as faeces and hair. Previous estimates based on prints and sightings put the bear population at fewer than 8,000.According to environment ministry figures, bears have killed 26 people and severely injured 274 others over the past 20 years in Romania, the most recent fatality being a19-year-old hiker who was mauled to deathon a popular Carpathian trail last July.The government last year more than doubled its authorised cull of brown bears, a protected species in the EU, to 481 after recording more than 7,500 emergency calls to signal bear sightings in 2023 – more than twice the previous year’s total.MPs argue “overpopulation” is leading to an increase in attacks, an assertion disputed by environmental groups who say the focus must be shifted towards prevention, by keeping bears away from communities and targeting specific “problem bears”.A bear in the backyard – a photo essayRead moreGermany’s foreign ministry last week updated its Romania travel advice, noting that bears were increasingly venturing into residential areas and along roads, leading to “dangerous encounters with humans”. It urged travellers to heed local warnings.Based on an analysis of about 24,000 samples collected over three years since 2022, the institute’s study, published late last week, concluded there were between 10,419 and 12,770 individuals living in Romania – by far Europe’s largest brown bear population outside Russia.View image in fullscreenA brown bear in a summer field in Romania’s Carpathian mountains.Photograph: Erika Eros/AlamyWorld Wildlife Fund (WWF) Romania has since questioned its methods, saying genetic studies were usually conducted over a much shorter period, butthe institute has saidit considers the survey 95% accurate.The Romanian environment minister, Mircea Fechet, said he would lobby the European Commission to lift the bears’ protected status. The EU’s habitats directive allows the animal to be killed only in exceptional circumstances and as a last resort.“We have to intervene,”Fechet told local media. “The specialists say the optimal bear population is around 4,000.”skip past newsletter promotionSign up toDown to EarthFree weekly newsletterThe planet's most important stories. Get all the week's environment news - the good, the bad and the essentialEnter your email addressSign upPrivacy Notice:Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see ourPrivacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the GooglePrivacy PolicyandTerms of Serviceapply.after newsletter promotionHe also promised to introduce a law allowing local officials to bypass the current system of “gradual intervention” – which obliges mayors to first try to scare a bear off, or capture and relocate it – and instead put the animal down directly if necessary.Existing methods “have so far proven ineffective”, Fechet said, adding: “I hope my proposal, which is currently under public consultation, will put an end to these tragedies. Human life comes first.”Slovakia this month also authorised a cull of 350 brown bears – about a quarter of its estimated population of 1,300 – after a 59-year-old man was mauled to death. Two other people died last year after beingattacked or chased by bears.Slovaks “cannot live in a country where people are afraid to go into the forest, and where humans become food for bears”, said the country’s populist prime minister, Robert Fico.
Romania says it may have twice as many bears as was thought
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Romania's Brown Bear Population Estimated at 13,000, Prompting Calls for New Management Laws"
The Guardian
7.1
TruthLens AI Summary
Romania's forestry research institute has revealed that the nation's brown bear population may be as high as 13,000, nearly double previous estimates of fewer than 8,000. This finding comes from a groundbreaking study that utilized DNA samples collected from bear feces and hair across 25 counties in the Carpathian mountains, marking the first time such a method has been employed for bear population estimation in the region. The increase in bear numbers has raised concerns among officials, particularly in light of the reported 26 human fatalities and 274 serious injuries caused by bear attacks over the last two decades. The most recent tragic incident involved a 19-year-old hiker who was killed last July on a well-known trail in the Carpathians. In response to the high number of bear-related emergencies, which surged to over 7,500 calls in 2023, the Romanian government has more than doubled the authorized cull of brown bears, now allowing for the culling of up to 481 bears, despite their protected status under EU law.
The debate surrounding the bear population has intensified, with lawmakers citing overpopulation as a reason for increased bear attacks, a claim that has sparked disagreement from environmental organizations. These groups argue for a focus on preventative measures rather than culling, advocating for strategies that would keep bears away from human habitats and target specific problematic individuals. In light of these developments, the Romanian environment minister, Mircea Fechet, is also pushing for the European Commission to reconsider the bears' protected status and has proposed new legislation that would allow local authorities to take more direct action against bears that pose threats to human safety. This proposal aims to replace the current gradual intervention approach, which has been criticized as ineffective. Fechet emphasized the need for urgent action to prevent further tragedies, asserting that the safety of human lives must take precedence. This situation mirrors similar concerns in neighboring Slovakia, where recent bear attacks have prompted the government to authorize a cull of 350 bears to ensure public safety.
TruthLens AI Analysis
Detailed Analysis of the News: Romania's Revised Brown Bear Population Estimate
The recent report suggesting Romania may have nearly twice as many brown bears as previously estimated raises several critical questions about wildlife management, human-wildlife conflict, and political motivations. While the study's methodology (using DNA samples) appears scientifically rigorous, the implications extend beyond ecology into policy and public safety debates.
Scientific vs. Traditional Estimation Methods
The shift from traditional tracking (footprints, sightings) to DNA-based analysis explains the dramatic increase in the estimated bear population (from <8,000 to 13,000). This discrepancy highlights the limitations of older methods but also invites scrutiny. Organizations like WWF Romania have questioned the study’s methodology, suggesting potential biases or oversimplifications in sampling.
Human-Wildlife Conflict and Political Response
The Romanian government’s decision to double the authorized cull of bears—a protected EU species—reflects mounting pressure from communities facing increased bear encounters. The statistic of 26 fatalities and 274 severe injuries over 20 years underscores the urgency, but environmental groups argue that "overpopulation" is a misdiagnosis. Their emphasis on prevention (e.g., waste management, deterrence) versus culling reveals a deeper ideological divide between conservation and pragmatic governance.
International Perception and Travel Advisories
Germany’s updated travel advisory, warning of bears encroaching into residential areas, amplifies the narrative of a "crisis." This external validation could shape global perceptions of Romania’s wilderness management, potentially affecting tourism—a sector critical to rural economies.
Potential Manipulative Undertones
The timing of this report coincides with political efforts to expand bear culling, suggesting the study might serve to justify pre-existing policies. The language framing bears as a "crisis" (e.g., "problem bears") leans into fear-based rhetoric, which could marginalize conservationist perspectives. However, there’s no direct evidence of AI-driven manipulation or hidden agendas in the reporting. The focus remains on localized policy debates rather than broader geopolitical or economic impacts.
Stakeholder Alignment and Opposition
The report likely garners support from rural communities and lawmakers advocating for greater autonomy in wildlife control, while facing resistance from environmental NGOs and EU bodies committed to biodiversity protection. The lack of mention of alternative solutions (e.g., habitat restoration) hints at a one-sided prioritization of human safety over ecological balance.
Reliability Assessment
The news is credible in its core claim (revised bear population) due to the institute’s scientific approach, but the framing leans toward sensationalism by emphasizing conflict over context. The absence of counterarguments within the cited content (e.g., WWF’s critique is only briefly noted) weakens its objectivity.
Economic and Sectoral Implications
While the news is unlikely to sway global markets, it could influence niche sectors like eco-tourism or hunting industries in Romania. No significant link to broader geopolitical issues or financial markets is evident.
Final Verdict
This is a localized ecological-political story with moderate reliability. The study’s findings are plausible, but the narrative’s tilt toward "crisis" rhetoric suggests an underlying intent to legitimize policy shifts rather than purely inform.