Romania Enacts Bear Population Control Law Following Presidential Approval

Romanian President Nicușor Dan signed legislation on Monday authorizing a reduction in the country’s brown bear population, reversing his earlier constitutional challenge that had returned the bill to parliament for reconsideration.

The measure, readopted by the Chamber of Deputies on September 16, permits the preventive culling of 859 brown bears this year. An additional 110 protected large carnivores may be hunted as an intervention measure when they pose a direct threat to human life.

In recent years, bear incursions into populated areas have become increasingly common across Romania, accompanied by a sharp rise in attacks, including fatal incidents. A previous scientific survey mapping the brown bear population confirmed that Romania hosts Europe’s largest bear population, estimated between 10,600 and 12,700 individuals, with the greatest genetic diversity among the continent’s bear species.

Last week, Covasna County Prefect Ráduly István warned that the limited timeframe makes fulfilling this year’s quota unfeasible. In the Szeklerland region, 86 bears were designated for culling, of which only 30 have been removed to date. The government’s local representative emphasized the law’s necessity, citing a significant increase in both bear numbers and associated damages. During the first eight months of the year, authorities recorded approximately 300 emergency calls regarding bears entering built-up areas, along with two attacks on humans.

Implementation Timeline Raises Concerns

The legislation, initiated by the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) and subsequently revised, takes effect upon publication in the official gazette. However, officials caution that the months-long legal dispute has left insufficient time to execute the full culling quota this year.

President Dan returned the draft to parliament in August after the Constitutional Court rejected his initial challenge. He had requested legislative clarification on several points. The Chamber of Deputies ultimately approved the bill without amendments, in the form previously adopted by the Senate, with several lawmakers urging immediate implementation.

Senator Tánczos Barna, acting deputy prime minister and one of the bill’s sponsors, noted that the alliance had requested nearly a year ago that preventive quotas be doubled for both this year and 2027. He stated that a scientific survey confirmed Romania’s bear overpopulation can only be curbed through more effective intervention, emphasizing that immediate action against dangerous animals does not replace comprehensive population management strategies.

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