BUCHAREST, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- Romania's government approved an emergency decree on Thursday, allowing faster response to bear incidents in towns and imposing fines of up to 30,000 lei (6,800 U.S. dollars) for feeding wild bears, the Environment Ministry said during a press conference.
The new rules allow immediate intervention when bears are spotted or attack within built-up areas. Intervention teams are authorized to apply measures that they regard as proper at the sites, including scaring the bear away, tranquilizing and relocating it, or, if necessary, shooting it. Previously, the intervention teams must start with the mildest approach.
"The ordinance gives authorities the legal tools to act quickly and effectively in a situation that has become critical," Environment Minister Diana Buzoianu said.
Feeding wild animals has been punishable with a fine ranging from 500 to 1,500 lei. However, the practice of feeding wild bears is increasingly common in tourist areas such as Transfagarasan and Bucegi. Officials said such behaviour changes bear's natural habits, raising the risk of attacks. With the latest decree, those who violate the rule will now face fines ranging from 10,000 to 30,000 lei.
"Bears are not for entertainment. Protecting them starts with keeping your distance," Buzoianu said.
The new rules also define a "habituated bear" as one that has lost its natural fear of humans through repeated contact, and introduce protection measures for cubs when a mother bear is removed.
The Environment Ministry said the measures aim to improve public safety, reduce serious bear incidents, and restore balance in human-wildlife coexistence.
Romania's brown bear population is estimated at 10,000 to 12,000. According to the authorities, bear-human conflicts have surged in recent years, especially in rural and mountainous regions. Since 2004, 27 people have been killed by bears, 19 of them in the last five years. Reports of bear incidents, including bears entering yards or roaming streets in mountain towns, have been increasing, putting pressure on local communities and emergency teams. ■