Environmental activists have condemned a large-scale bear cull in Slovakia, warning it could have “tragic consequences” for bear populations.
According to the organisation, 180 bears had been killed in Slovakia by 22 October - half of the 350 animals the Slovak government has authorised for shooting.
The mass hunts are taking place close to the Polish border, in areas frequented by bears that roam into the Polish Tatras and Bieszczady Mountains.
“This scandalous and short-sighted decision could have tragic consequences for Poland’s bear population as well,” Greenpeace Poland said. “Conflicts between humans and bears can be prevented. A gun will never be the solution.”
Marek Józefiak, the organization's spokesperson, emphasised that the proximity of the shootings to the border could threaten wildlife on the Polish side.
Greenpeace warns of mass bear killings in Slovakia near Polish border
On 5 November, Greenpeace filed a complaint with the European Commission, working with lawyers from the Frank Bold law firm, challenging the Slovak government’s policy.
“The Slovak government is targeting 350 bears, including those that visit Polish national parks. It is a scandal and a display of shortsightedness. Wildlife deserves responsible management, and mass shootings have nothing to do with that. Firearms are being used instead of effective measures to prevent human-bear conflict,” the NGO said.
“Lives of 350 bears hang in the balance, but nothing is set in stone. We can still stop the death sentence issued to them,” Greenpeace added, urging the public to join its campaign by signing a petition to the Slovak government, accompanied by graphic images of the cull.
“Stop the massacre of Carpathian bears,” urges Greenpeace Poland, sharing graphic images online of a female bear brutally shot along with her three cubs.
❗Zatrzymajmy masakrę karpackich niedźwiedzi. ?Na Słowacji trwa nielegalny, masowy odstrzał niedźwiedzi. Do 22...
Opublikowany przez Greenpeace Polska Środa, 5 listopada 2025
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Source: Polish Radio English Service/Greenpeace Poland/X/@MarekJozefiak