Czechian Zoo Condemns Slovakia’s Bear Hunting Rules

The Tábor Zoo in Czechia is raising alarms over Slovakia’s controversial decision to ease restrictions on the controlled shooting of bears. The zoo has filed a formal complaint with the European Commission, arguing that Slovakia’s actions violate laws meant to protect endangered species.

Evžen Korec, director of Tábor Zoo, expressed his outrage in a statement to POLITICO. “It is not surprising that Slovakia has gone the way of the Middle Ages, when it was common to shoot everything that moved in the forest and [that] was just a little bit hairier than a man of that time,” Korec said, condemning the decision as “barbaric.” He emphasized that the brown bear is one of the European Union’s most protected species and that Slovakia is undermining critical Conservation efforts.

Slovakia revised its bear hunting regulations in May. The changes allow the government to declare emergencies and issue exemptions more quickly, justifying bear shootings to protect citizens. “We were able to solve a major legal problem that prevented the shooting of a bear even in cases where there has not yet been an attack on a person,” Slovak Environment Minister Tomáš Taraba stated. The new rules prioritize preventive measures to ensure the safety of people and property.

However, these regulations conflict with EU protections, which mandate evidence of “problematic” behavior before issuing kill licenses. Although Taraba claimed that the European Commission had supported Slovakia’s legislative adjustments, the Commission refuted this claim.

Bear-related issues have become a heated topic in Slovak politics, especially with upcoming elections. The far-right Slovak National Party, to which Minister Taraba belongs, has criticized EU environmental laws, portraying them as out of touch with local needs. Despite debates, the Slovak Environment Ministry plans to issue approximately 100 bear-shooting licenses by year-end, and 86 bears have already been killed.

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