Slovenia's bear cull plan ignites environmental protest
The authorities in Slovenia have decided to cull over 200 bears, a move that has sparked opposition from environmentalists. The decision aims to protect livestock from attacks.
What do you need to know?
- Decision on the cull: The Slovenian Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning has issued a permit to cull 206 bears.
- Reasons for the decision: The growing population of brown bears in Slovenia has led to more frequent attacks on livestock and conflicts among the bears themselves.
- Reaction of environmentalists: Environmental organisations, such as Alpe Adria Green, criticise the decision, claiming it is unjustified and poses a threat to the bear population.
At the start of the week, the Slovenian Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning announced the decision to cull 206 bears. The cull will occur in the southern regions of the country and can be carried out until 1 July 2026.
The reason for this decision is the increasing number of attacks on livestock, which generates high costs for protection and compensation. Over the past five years, more than €56,500 (£47,400) has been spent on protection from predators, and the average annual compensation for damages has exceeded €170,000 (£143,000).
Environmentalists against the cull
The decision by the authorities has faced strong criticism from environmental organisations. Alpe Adria Green claims that the cull will reduce the bear population by over 30 percent.
According to a formal statement issued by AAG members, the approach lacks scientific basis, raises significant controversy, and is not viable in the long term. Environmental advocates maintain that the reported numbers of bears are inflated and that the culling strategy is both contentious and deceptive, ultimately serving purposes unrelated to genuine conservation efforts.
According to various data, the number of bears in Slovenia ranges from 695 to 954.
The growing bear population is a problem not only in Slovenia but also in other European countries. For example, in April, the Slovak government approved the cull of 350 bears.
