Slovakia has too many bears: environment officials

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2008

BRATISLAVA (AFP) — Slovakia's bear population of around 800 animals is too large and some of them may have to be culled to stop potential attacks on humans, environment officials said on Monday.

"The bear population ... is too numerous," for the territory capacity, the director of the State Nature Protection institute Jan Mizerak said at a news conference.

Under ideal conditions, bears need 2,000 hectares (5,000 acres) of territory each, but in Slovakia currently have only 800-900 hectares, according to official studies.

Due to overcrowding, many bears have grown used to feeding from garbage containers in mountain settlements, and human contacts with bears are increasing.

"There are conflicts because they are in food competition, bears are more...