Bear Attack Claims Life of Motorcyclist in Romanian Mountains

A motorcyclist's life was lost after a bear attack in Romania's picturesque Transfagarasan region, sparking concern over increasing wildlife-human interactions.

A tragic incident in the Romanian mountains has resulted in the death of a motorcyclist following a bear attack. The victim, who stopped at a well-known tourist spot along the Transfagarasan highway, was reportedly dragged down a steep ravine, resulting in fatal injuries, as confirmed by Ion Sanduloiu, head of the Arges County Mountain Rescue Service. Despite wearing protective gear, the man succumbed to the injuries sustained during the attack.

Emergency responders noted that the victim had parked his motorcycle near a sign indicating the dangers of feeding bears. Authorities are currently investigating the attack, and the bear involved has not yet been removed or euthanized.

Romania boasts the largest population of brown bears in the European Union, and encounters between humans and bears have risen sharply, leading to renewed calls for better regulatory measures. Studies conducted by the environment ministry estimate the brown bear population to be between 10,400 and 12,800, significantly more than previous figures.

Former environment minister Mircea Fechet suggested that the ideal sustainable population should be around 4,000 bears and has advocated for simplified legislation to empower local authorities in managing bear populations more effectively, including euthanization in residential areas. Additionally, officials are working on creating risk zone maps to promote safety and wildlife conservation.

Gabriel Paun of the environmental NGO Agent Green emphasized that the bear attack reflects deeper systemic failures in wildlife management, rather than simply an issue of bear population size. He criticized factors such as tourist behavior and inadequate government action for creating dangerous situations along popular roads.

As Romania faces ongoing challenges with wildlife interactions, Sanduloiu asserts that stricter penalties, including higher fines and prison sentences for feeding bears, may be necessary to prevent further tragedies.