A new ordinance provides fines between 10,000 and 30,000 lei for feeding bears and introduces gradual intervention procedures in the case of threatening bears.

A recent ordinance will come into force 10 days after its publication in the Official Gazette, establishing significant fines between 10,000 and 30,000 lei for feeding bears, following a tragic incident in which a motorcyclist was killed by a bear. Additionally, the ordinance introduces a new intervention procedure in cases of bears that threaten public safety, which will include gradual methods of displacement, tranquilization, and, in extreme cases, euthanasia. If a bear is reported in an urban area, the intervention will be carried out without adhering to the principle of gradualness, and habituated bears can be euthanized directly. Furthermore, it will no longer be necessary to obtain prior authorization for emergency interventions. These measures are intended to protect both animals and humans, in the context of increasing interactions between bears and the human population.