A number of inhabitants in Závažná Poruba (Žilina region) are complaining about a long-running problem with bears visiting residential areas. Local administrators are gearing up to convey their complaints in all ways conceivable to the relevant authorities, according to Závažná Poruba mayor Pavel Baráni. “It's not a fabrication or invention. The fact is that our people are endangered by bears. It's a grave situation, one that needs to be addressed without delay”, stated Baráni. “I approached the Environment Minister recently and invited him to come for a visit and see for himself that the situation needs to be addressed immediately”.
Miroslav Poludnica, chairman of the local Poludnica Hunters Association, points to the overpopulation of bears as the primary reason for the high number of bear encounters. “I've come across 19 different bears over the course of a single year - and I certainly haven't met all of them. This, despite the fact that there should be only three-four bears in a region of our size. The relevant legislation is in dire need of a radical change in order to secure a balanced state”, he said.
According to American bear specialist Gregg Losinski in an earlier interview with Radio Slovakia International, bear numbers across Slovakia are increasing from their previously low levels. However, Mr Losinski adds that if you do encounter a bear in Slovakia and you don’t have bear spray, you should not run away, but instead lie face down and protect your head while spreading your legs so the bear cannot flip you over. Slovakia has only brown (grisly) bears which do not normally attack, but may bite and swipe at a person to show their displeasure before typically leaving the individual alone. The bear expert also recommends using pepper spray and not using firearms against a bear in Slovakia, as the correct aim of a gun is difficult during a panic situation and non fatal shots will only anger the bear.
