Wild bears in Romania get a new home as sightings surge

Authorities plan to relocate nearly 30 bears to the Zărnești Sanctuary following a Euronews report on rising bear encounters.

Transcript

00:00Almost 30 bears from the Transfăgărășan Mountain will be relocated to the Zărnești Sanctuary.

00:06The authority's decision comes after a Euronews Romania report last week.

00:11Euronews Romania correspondent Maia Bondici reports.

00:16A week ago we were here, in the Transfăgărășan area, Vidraru,

00:20and along the way we saw bears looking for food on the street.

00:24Now we returned to the area with the Minister of the Environment,

00:27to see what solutions exist for these bears.

00:43Together with the National Road Administration, CINEA IRU,

00:49we were probably able to make people aware that bear food is forbidden,

00:58that bear food can be sanctioned with a fine.

01:02It is worrying, and God forbid that an accident happens.

01:05Together with the Commission and the representatives of the institution that are part of the Commission,

01:10we came to the conclusion that they all need to be relocated.

01:14Local authorities have identified 26 bears roaming the streets.

01:19Due to feeding by tourists, the bears are no longer used to foraging for themselves.

01:24The food offered by tourists on the street seems to be their favorite.