A bear in northern Slovakia attacked a man over the weekend, resulting in injuries and prompting him and his son to shoot the bear, which was reported as the first bear attack on a human in the country this year.
This past weekend in northern Slovakia, a bear attacked a 57-year-old man, causing him several lacerations that required hospitalization. During the encounter, the man’s son, who was accompanying him with a hunting dog, tried to assist his father by shooting at the bear after it had knocked the man to the ground. Reports indicate that the bear was shot and left motionless at the scene. This incident has been highlighted by both local news network Joj and the Slovak Minister of the Environment, Felipe Kuffa, marking it as the first bear attack on a human recorded in Slovakia for the year.
Witnesses described the scene where the bear attacked the man without provocation as he was simply in the woods with his son. Following the attack, the son managed to help his father back to their vehicle, where he was then rushed to the hospital. Tragically, their dog, who was also injured during the encounter and found approximately 200 meters from the attack site, later succumbed to its injuries, highlighting the potential dangers of wildlife encounters in the region.
Bear encounters with humans are not uncommon in Slovakia, raising concerns over wildlife management and safety, particularly as bear populations continue to interact with people more frequently. This incident serves as a reminder of the complexities of wildlife coexistence and the necessity for caution when venturing into natural habitats, especially in areas known to be inhabited by bears.
