Romanian President Nicușor Dan Signs Law on Aggressive Brown Bears

President Nicușor Dan of Romania signed a decree promulgating a new law that amends the emergency ordinance governing the handling of aggressive brown bears. The legislation updates the 2021 ordinance, clarifies responsibilities of local and national authorities, and defines a “habituated bear” – an animal that has lost its natural avoidance of humans due to repeated contact and access to anthropogenic food.

Under the new rules, officials may intervene with relocation, tranquilisation, or lethal measures such as euthanasia or shooting when a bear threatens human life or property. The law also expands the framework for immediate interventions, including the use of gendarmerie and local police forces in affected areas.

The reform responds to a rise in bear‑human incidents in recent years. A 2025 DNA study funded by the EU estimated Romania’s brown‑bear population at between 10,419 and 12,770 individuals, providing a more accurate basis for wildlife management.