Bear culling is good business

The Environment Ministry has authorized the commercial culling of 253 bears this year. Hunting associations sell culling rights for up to €9,900 per bear. To facilitate the culling, hunters lure bears to feeding grounds, including near villages. The number of attacks on people has therefore risen to 19 this year, compared with 11 in all of 2023. So far this year, 160 bears have been shot, the highest number in 120 years. The total population is estimated at 1,000–1,300.

(dennikN.sk)