Romania is home to a large population of brown bears, specifically European brown bears (Ursus arctos arctos) with between 5,000 and 8,000 bears living in a country roughly the size of Utah. This makes Romania the with second largest bear population in Europe behind Russia.
Romania’s brown bears are not be confused with North American grizzlies. Brown bears (Ursus arctos) are the umbrella species, while grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) are a subspecies of brown bears. Means that all grizzlies are brown bears, but not all brown bears are grizzlies.
Brown bears are common in the nearly 9.9 million acres of state managed forest lands (65% of all forests in the country) where they thrive in the rugged landscape. These lands are patrolled by park rangers who perform duties much like their American counterparts protecting natural resources and wildlife. One such Romania park ranger caught this fierce brown bear battle making their rounds at Broșteni Forest Circle in the north of the country. This fight was likely over a territorial dispute according to Romsilva:
Romanian National Park bear safety guidelines are much the same as what you would find on a National Park Service website regarding traveling through grizzly bear country but the NPS does not include recommendation to aim for bear’s eyes and nose in an attack scenario.
Romania Brown Bear Safety Guidelines:
If You See a Bear from a Distance
- Stay Calm: Do not panic or run.
- Give the Bear Space: Slowly retreat and increase the distance.
- Do Not Approach: Do not approach a bear for any reason.
If the Bear Is Unaware of Your Presence
- Retreat Slowly: Try to retreat without drawing attention to yourself.
- Avoid Sudden Movements and Loud Noises: Slowly retreat and increase the distance.
If the Bear Is Aware of Your Presence
- Stay Calm: Keep your movements slow and deliberate.
- Identify Yourself: Speak firmly to let it know you are human. When a bear stands on its hind legs, it is checking surroundings, not preparing to attack.
- Do Not Run: Running might trigger a chase.
- Retreat Slowly: Maintain eye contact and avoid turning your back on the bear.
- Make Yourself Look Bigger: Raise your arms, your backpack, open your jacket, and stand tall. If you are with others, stay together.
If the Bear Approaches
- Stand Your Ground: Do not panic or run.
- Make Noise: Clap, shout, and make yourself look as intimidating as possible.
- Drop Your Pack: To distract the bear, drop items while retreating.
- Use Bear Spray: If the bear is within 6-9 meters, use bear spray. Aim slightly downward, towards the bear’s face, adjusting for wind.
If the Bear Attacks
- Stand Your Ground: Many attacks are bluff charges. The bear may veer off or stop abruptly.
- Use Bear Spray: If the bear closes in, use bear spray.
If the Bear Physically Attacks
- Fight Back: Use any available objects to defend yourself. Aim for the eyes and nose.
General Preventive Measures
- Travel in Groups: Bears are less likely to approach larger groups.
- Make Noise: Make your presence known, especially in areas with dense vegetation.
- Keep Dogs Leashed: Dogs can provoke bears.
- Use Marked Trails and Travel During the Day: Stick to established paths and avoid hiking at night.
- Avoid Attractants: Properly store food and keep picnic/camping areas clean.
- Do Not Try to Feed the Bears
- Do Not Stand in the Bear’s Path: If the bear is coming towards you, give it space to pass.