Romania tests AI‑powered bear early‑warning system in Maramureș

An AI‑driven monitoring system for brown bears was field‑tested in the Maramureș county of northern Romania. The set‑up combines motion‑sensor cameras, the Cluey digital app and the Focus analytics platform to automatically identify bears and send rapid alerts to local intervention teams and authorities. Five cameras have been installed on high‑risk zones – four around Baia Sprie and one near Săpânța – and the system has already generated its first real‑time bear alert.

The project, called COOP4SAFE, is coordinated by WWF‑Romania and implemented with partners Sensing Clues, the County Hunting and Fishing Association (AJVPS) and trans‑border collaborators from Ukraine and Slovakia. It aims to improve safety for residents, reduce wildlife‑related damage, and foster coordinated cross‑border biodiversity protection.