Slovak Hunter Seriously Injured in Bear Attack Near Liptovská Porúbka

On July 26, 2026, 41‑year‑old hunter Marek Galvánek was checking a photo‑trap near the village of Liptovská Porúbka in northern Slovakia when a female bear charged from about 15–20 metres away. The bear bit his left leg, causing deep lacerations. Galvánek attempted to fire his pistol; the first shot missed, and the bear struck him again before he managed to wound it with a second round. Rescue teams later located and shot the bear. The hunter was air‑lifted by helicopter to a hospital, where doctors performed surgery to repair the injuries. He described the incident as “the worst twenty minutes of my life.” The event highlights a recent rise in bear attacks in the region.

The injured hunter is now recovering with his condition stabilised after the operation.