Another brown bear was found shot dead yesterday in Kastoria, bringing the number of such incidents in recent days to three, according to Arcturos. The first occurred in Kozani and the second, also in Kastoria, on Friday. The brown bear is considered a protected species.
“It is clear that the brown bear is not an aggressive animal. Nevertheless, the species remains wild (i.e., not domesticated) and unpredictable, and due to its strength and size it can become dangerous to humans. All scientific and management protocols for the species aim to separate human activities from those of the bear, using scientifically documented methods, either in time or in space,” Arcturos stated in a press release following the recent incidents.
The brown bear population has increased over the past 20 years, but still faces significant threats (e.g., illegal killing).
Essentially, the goal is to prevent people and bears from occupying the same space, because despite the species’ non-aggressive nature, an unpredictable accident cannot be ruled out.
As the species has been recovering over the past 20 years, brown bears frequently enter inhabited areas, and Arcturos notes in its statement that forestry services and municipalities either lack a comprehensive action plan or fail to implement it when such situations arise.
It also points out that the use of non-scientifically validated methods in managing such situations can significantly increase the risk both for humans and for the species.
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