Slovakia bear attacks lead to multiple injuries and cull

A series of brown bear attacks in Slovakia has resulted in multiple injuries and prompted authorities to shoot a bear mother and her two cubs.

On Saturday, a 55-year-old cyclist was attacked in Valčianska dolina near Martin. The man suffered multiple bite and laceration wounds and was hospitalized in stable condition after undergoing surgery. In a separate incident on Sunday, a 42-year-old man was found injured near a D1 highway exit in Turany, suffering from head and chest trauma. Following this attack, specialized intervention teams used thermal imaging drones to locate and shoot the responsible bear mother and her two young cubs to mitigate further public risk.

Other incidents were reported, including a bear chasing a car and cyclists in the Rajecká dolina area, where authorities discovered illegal biological waste that may have attracted the animals. The Ministry of Environment has previously authorized the culling of up to 350 bears due to rising human-wildlife conflicts. Environmentalists have expressed concerns that such measures could threaten protected populations.