Turiec region bear attacks spark wildlife management debate

A series of brown bear attacks in the Turiec region of Slovakia has sparked a debate over wildlife management and population control. Recent incidents include an attack on a 79-year-old woman in Blatnica and a serious injury to a shepherd near Necpaly. In response, intervention teams have eliminated several problematic bears, including a 64-kilogram male and a 15-year-old female that had been frequenting residential areas.

Further incidents have caused significant agricultural damage, such as a bear attacking a flock of approximately 15 breeding sheep in Turčianske Kľačanoe. Experts note that September and October are critical periods as bears seek food before winter. State Secretary Filip Kuffa has called for more active population management, criticizing past court decisions that limited culling exceptions, while conservationists emphasize the need for targeted prevention and monitoring to ensure public safety.