Environmentalist NGOs protest bear hunting quotas in Romania

The Coalition Natura 2000 Federation, composed of 22 environmental NGOs in Romania, recently protested against a project regarding the reintroduction of hunting quotas for bears, arguing that it has a flawed scientific foundation and does not solve the problem of conflicts with these animals but rather "gives the green light for foreigners to resume trophy hunting in Romania."

The environmental organizations request the withdrawal of the proposal, saying that it targets over 400 large bears that may not represent a danger. They are also concerned over the fact that foreign hunters will also take part in the hunting.

The Coalition Natura 2000 Federation argues that human safety is extremely important and expresses regret for any incidents in which people and their property have suffered. However, they say that the authorities, hunting associations, and environmental organizations should collaborate to build coexistence models that are beneficial both to humans and the bear species.

The NGOs say that the proposal for preventive hunting of bears based on quotas has flawed scientific reasoning and that the implementation of this order could have a long-term impact on the bear population.

“The Ministry of Environment, the institution responsible for biodiversity conservation, along with hunting associations, still believe that reducing human-bear conflicts can be achieved through trophy hunting and by issuing 'prevention' quotas based on partial, unclaimed, unsigned, and scientifically flawed studies. The Coalition Natura 2000 Federation considers the safety of citizens and domestic animals to be a priority over any conservation action, but it cannot support the superficiality, interests, and propaganda behind the foundation of this draft order,” said George Kudor, director of the Coalition Natura 2000 Federation Romania, cited by News.ro.

The Coalition also points out that the ministry is spending money on a national genetic study of bears but is not waiting for the results and is rushing to introduce preventive hunting based on unfounded scientific data.

"We should not view hunting as the only solution to reducing conflicts with bears. We had a similar system until 2016, and the number of damages did not decrease. If the same principle is applied again, we are likely to face the same problems: we will continue to have damages, people injured, and attacks on sheepfolds or households in certain areas. […] No one wants to be in conflict with bears. Human life and property must undoubtedly be protected and defended," said Cristian-Remus Papp, coordinator of the Wildlife Species Department at WWF Romania.