Experts warn:

Short winter now attracts hungry bears to cities

A brown bear

(Bild: P. Huber)

The "rampage" of an animal in Slovakia has also set alarm bells ringing among local wildlife experts.

In the small Slovakian town of Liptovský Mikulás, a brown bear injured five people. Since then, the small town has been in a state of emergency. While a large contingent is searching for the animal, many people no longer dare to go out into the streets - which is hardly surprising given the video footage of the bear attack. They show the bear running towards a couple with a baby carriage. When they swerve at the last moment, the animal turns away and chases a new target.

I issue an urgent warning - if it is somehow avoidable - to get close to a bear.

Rudolf Gürtler, Wiener Jagdexperte

"A wild predator will always remain a wild predator," explains Viennese hunting expert Rudolf Gürtler. "I strongly warn - if it is somehow avoidable - to get close to a bear. The specimen in Slovakia is definitely a problem specimen," says the hunting legend.

Animal probably panicked too
What makes the situation even worse: "Due to this year's short winter, the starving bears are looking for food earlier and are currently roaming into the villages. Master Petz was probably just as panicked as the people who got too close to him."

The population is increasing. This is also because hunting has been stopped in many places after animal-loving people became outraged - even though they live far away and safely from the bears. "To the detriment of the rural population, who bear the consequences of increased confrontations." Nevertheless, humans are not part of the prey spectrum. The expert's advice: "Instead of running away, it would make more sense to huddle together." However, you would have to be able to withstand being sniffed nervously.