Skier Attacked By Brown Bear In North Macedonia

MACEDONIA – A Danish skier suffered injuries to his left leg in a bear attack in North Macedonia. According to the Independent, the attack took place in a wilderness park in the the Shar Mountain area and taken to a hospital in Tetovo.

The brown bear population has surged in the area over the past few years due to mild winters, creating a growing threat for those in the area. Last year, twelve cases of break-in attempts by bears were reported in the mountainous area of the Mavrovo National Park, and the brown bear population has doubled in the last five years.

“There are between 160 and 180 brown bears in Mavrovo National Park. Experts indicate that there should be up to 70 bears in this region, and their number now has doubled.” – Stojance Angelov, head of the national Crises Management Center

30 bears are known to feed in the area surrounding the village of Zirovnica, frequently entering the village and acting as a threat to the town’s people and children. The increase in population and encounters has lead to demands from villagers for urgent measures to take place, hoping for protection from the animals.