site.btaRomania Has Most Brown Bears in Europe, or Three Times More Than It Should, Study Shows

Romania has the largest number of brown bears in Europe, or three times more than it should have, with the population continuing to grow, according to data collected under the project "Implementation of the National Action Plan for the Conservation of the Brown Bear Population in Romania", financed with more than EUR 10 million in European funds. The project was carried out over three years by 800 experts and, according to Romanian media, is "the largest study of its kind ever conducted worldwide for this species".

Figures recently cited by Environment Minister Diana Buzoianu show that Romania has between 10,600 and 12,700 bears, while nearly 900 interventions for chasing away, relocating and euthanising bears were carried out last year.

At the end of January, it was announced that thousands of kilometres of electric fencing would be installed to limit conflict situations between people and wild animals. The decision followed a rise in bear attacks in Romania. A sharp increase in fines for people who feed wild animals is also being considered.

Meanwhile, the Environmental Fund Administration announced that it has approved funding of nearly LEI 24.9 million to reduce conflicts between humans and wild animals under the Wildlife Species Protection Programme.

Romania marked Bear Day on February 2.