Environmentalists File 29 Lawsuits Against Ministry Over Bear Hunting Permits

Bratislava, 12 August (TASR) – The initiative We Are the Forest, in cooperation with Aevis and the civic association Via Iuris, has filed 29 lawsuits over bear hunting permits against the Environment Ministry, headed by Tomas Taraba (an SNS nominee), TASR learnt on Tuesday. According to the initiative, the ministry has authorised the culling of at least 204 brown bears since the beginning of the year, marking the highest number since 2000. The environmentalists argue that the hunts are not targeting specific problem animals, thus failing to address real bear-related issues. „Hunting zones form an almost continuous barrier along migration corridors. Slovakia also risks international disputes due to bear shootings near border regions," the initiative We Are the Forest stated. It added that hunters can kill bears within designated zones, but in the Liptov region, these zones are so close together that they create an almost uninterrupted "death zone" for bears. Large hunting areas near Liptovsky Mikulas, Liptovsky Hradok, Hybe, and Vazec are situated near key biocorridors used by bears migrating between the High and Low Tatras. „In addition to the D1 motorway and extensive urban development, bear migration is obstructed by hunters operating under exemptions granted by the Environment Ministry, which should be protecting these animals," said Michal Haring of We Are the Forest. Rastislav Micanik of Aevis criticised the decisions made by Minister Taraba and State Secretary Filip Kuffa, calling them "poor and clearly unprofessional." He claimed that indiscriminate killings have worsened the situation, as "hunting-focused policies have replaced real protection and the implementation of preventive measures and systemic changes." The Environment Ministry told TASR that it is preparing a press briefing on the matter and will announce the exact date soon. mf/mcs