Bear crosses the Danube from Slovakia, now feared in Hungary

On Monday, the municipality of Bajót, in Komárom-Esztergom County, approximately 40 kilometres (24.8 miles) from Budapest, issued an alert after a bear was spotted in the area, believed to have swum across the Danube from Slovakia.

Bears do not typically have a suitable habitat in Hungary’s mountainous regions, which lack large, undisturbed forest areas. However, in recent years, bear sightings have become increasingly common. This particular incident is notable as bears have mostly crossed the border into Hungary via the northern central mountains, but it now appears the Danube is no longer a barrier.

The Bajót authorities received a report of a bear sighted near a stream and in the surrounding forests of Péliföldszentkereszt district.

“We urge everyone to exercise extra caution in the forest until the situation is fully clarified,” authorities announced.

The public has been advised to avoid hiking, foraging, and other outdoor activities until further notice. Additional measures will be implemented as the situation develops.

Although no concrete evidence, such as bear tracks, was found during a search by a local professional hunter and town guide, who is also an active hunter, this does not rule out the possibility that the bear sightings were real, Economx writes.

read also – Beaver bite in Budapest: a beaver attacked a woman in the Danube

Fatal bear attack in Slovakia

Earlier in October, a fatal bear attack occurred in Liptovszentmiklós, Slovakia, where a man was killed while mushroom picking. Encounters with bears are not uncommon in Liptovský Mikuláš. In March, five individuals, including a 10-year-old girl and a 72-year-old man, were injured in separate bear incidents. Although none of the injuries required hospitalisation, the bear involved was later shot.

In April, the Slovak government proposed a legislative amendment to allow the culling of bears found within 500 metres ( of inhabited areas. Environmental groups opposed the proposal, warning that it could have a widespread impact on wildlife in the Tatras and criticised it as excessive.

Read also: Watch Mihály the bear roam in Hungary’s Bükk Mountains – VIDEO

Why are bear attacks increasing in Europe?

The rise in bear attacks across Europe can be attributed to several factors, as encounters between humans and bears have become more frequent. The main reasons include:

1. Growing bear population: Conservation efforts over recent decades have led to an increase in bear populations in many European countries. Countries like Romania, Slovakia, and Italy have experienced a rise in bear numbers, which increases the chances of encounters with humans.

In Romania’s Szeklerland, bears are a significant problem. Hunting companies in Covasna County have been granted permits to shoot 54 bears this year under the new bear culling law, with a similar quota allocated for next year.

2. Human expansion: As human settlements continue to expand through urbanisation, agriculture, and tourism, natural habitats are being encroached upon. This forces bears to move closer to inhabited areas in search of food, increasing the likelihood of human-bear interactions.

3. Changes in food sources: Bears are often drawn to human waste, especially when it is easily accessible. Poorly secured rubbish and food waste can attract bears into towns and villages, creating dangerous situations as bears become habituated to human presence and food.

4. Climate change: The effects of climate change, such as reduced food availability in natural habitats, may force bears to travel greater distances in search of sustenance. This increases the chances of encounters with humans, particularly in areas popular for outdoor activities like tourism.

5. Tourism and outdoor activities: With more people venturing into forests, mountains, and protected areas for hiking, camping, and foraging, the likelihood of crossing paths with bears rises. These activities can increase the danger, especially when bears are searching for food or protecting their young.

Managing human-bear conflicts requires a delicate balance between conservation, public safety, educating communities, and protecting bear habitats.

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