Brown bear sighting near Pásztó, Hungary prompts safety warnings

On the morning of 3 June 2026, park officials from Bükki National Park recorded a brown bear (Ursus arctos) near the town of Pásztó, located south of the settlement in Nógrád county. Trail‑camera footage confirmed the presence of a small, likely juvenile individual wandering in a mixed forest and shrub area only a few hundred metres from inhabited land.

The park administration advised residents and hikers to avoid approaching the animal, to keep dogs on a leash, and to refrain from leaving food waste outdoors. In the event of an encounter, people should remain calm, back away slowly and avoid sudden movements or loud noises. The bear is believed to be a wandering individual and is expected to move on shortly.

These recommendations aim to prevent potential conflicts between humans and wildlife as brown bear sightings have become more frequent in Hungary during the early summer.