People living in the Podpolanie area of central Slovakia have decided to organise a protest over what they see as a long-term problem with bears that have been roaming and scavenging in the vicinity of local towns and villages. Head of Banska Bystrica region Roman Malatinec explained that the event will take place on Tuesday evening and that people will come to express their concerns for their own lives. Specific measures to improve the situation are expected to be presented at the protest. Meanwhile, the Environment Ministry has stated that it views encounters between people and wild bears within villages and in their vicinity to be unacceptable. Among the measures being considered is making sure that the villages in question are properly lit in the evening hours.
SOURCE: TASR
