There are apparently not too many bears in Slovakia
This results from a preliminary DNA analysis of more than two thousand samples of dung and bear fur.
BRATISLAVA. There are apparently not too many bears in Slovakia. The estimated number of the West Carpathian bear population is 1,056 individuals.
This follows from a preliminary DNA analysis of more than 2,000 samples of dung and bear fur, which was carried out by the State Nature Protection with independent experts from the Faculty of Natural Sciences of Charles University in Prague.
“Based on the first results of the study compared to the results of the previous genetic reading, it can be concluded that there are probably no significant changes in the size of the brown bear population in Slovakia,” informed ŠOP.
At the same time, she stated that due to the possible statistical deviation, the actual number ranges from 1012 to 1275 individuals.
The estimates obtained on the basis of genetics are consistent with the data from classic monitoring, according to ŠOP.
On the basis of direct observation or tracking of residence signs, which takes place in protected areas, it does not observe an increase in bears except for local changes in population density caused, for example, by changes in food acquisition.
The Director General of the State Nature Protection Dušan Karaska pointed out that although there is no significant number of changes in bears, other factors also play a role.
“What has changed significantly is not the number of bears, but their behavior. Unsecured containers, fishing grounds, the cultivation of corn in the foothills, or the urbanization of the natural environment have caused bears to stay closer to human dwellings and lose their shyness,” note Karaska with the fact that all these factors increase the risk of human collision with the largest Slovak beast.
In order to find the number of brown bears, conservationists collected a total of 2179 DNA samples, mostly droppings and fur.
Their collection was carried out in two phases, from September 1, 2019 to April 30, 2020 and from September 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021. The samples were obtained in a non-invasive way that did not disturb the animals, the state nature protection reminded.
The results of scientific studies are normally publicized only after their publication in a scientific journal.
However, in connection with the situation in Slovakia, Czech scientists made an exception to inform the public, said Pavel Hulva from the Zoology Department of the Faculty of Natural Sciences of Charles University in Prague.