In response to a tragic bear attack that claimed the life of a 19-year-old hiker, Romania's parliament has passed a legislation allowing the culling of nearly 500 bears this year. The decision comes amidst a nationwide outcry over the incident and concerns of the bear population's "overpopulation."

The victim, Maria Diana, was hiking in Romania's Carpathian Mountains when she was unexpectedly attacked by a bear. According to Sabin Corniou, the head of Romania's mountain rescue services, the bear dragged her into nearby vegetation before ultimately causing her fall into a chasm. The bear was later killed when it attempted to attack the rescuers.

Romania is home to Europe's largest brown bear population outside of Russia, estimated to be around 8,000 bears, as reported by the country's environment ministry. The ministry also stated that bears have been responsible for 26 fatalities and severely injuring 274 people in the last two decades. The alarming statistics prompted Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu to convene an emergency session of parliament, interrupting their summer recess.

During the session, lawmakers observed a moment of silence to honor the memory of the young hiker. They also drafted legislation authorizing the culling of 481 bears in 2024, more than double the number from the previous year. While some argued that the overpopulation of bears was a contributing factor to the increase in attacks, others acknowledged that this measure would not entirely prevent future incidents.

However, environmental groups have criticized the decision, claiming that it does not solve the underlying problem. World Wildlife Fund biologist, Calin Ardelean, emphasized the need for prevention and intervention measures, along with addressing "problem bears." Organizations like WWF Romania have called for efforts to keep bears away from human communities, suggesting improved waste management and prohibiting people from feeding the animals.

Data shared recently by Romanian authorities revealed a significant rise in emergency calls reporting bear sightings. In 2023 alone, over 7,500 such calls were recorded, more than double the previous year's figure. This underscores the urgent need for comprehensive management strategies to mitigate conflicts between bears and humans.

The fatal bear attack in Romania follows a similar incident earlier this year in neighboring Slovakia, where a woman lost her life while being chased by a bear in dense forest and challenging mountain terrain. Wildlife researchers have noted that the concentration of bears in Slovakia is second only to Romania in terms of prevalence.

As Romania embarks on implementing the new culling policy, it remains crucial for a holistic approach that addresses the root causes of conflicts between humans and bears. Striking a balance between the conservation of the species and ensuring human safety is a complex challenge that requires long-term strategies and community engagement.