The bear, a prehistoric animal
The tracks of the bear and its ancestors predate those of man. 20 million years ago, the bear's ancestor appeared on Earth. With a tail, he was as big as a dog. It was from the Ice Age, 250,000 years ago, that the cave bear and the direct ancestor of the brown bear began their migration from Asia to Europe. The species of cave bears became extinct 10,000 years ago, giving way to the development of the brown bear as we know it today. Prehistoric man hunted them not only for their meat, but also for their fur and bones for weapons and tools. The murals in the prehistoric caves are a testament to the respect shown for these animals in those days. These paintings are often interpreted as rituals for the success of the hunt.
Slavic Rites and Customs
The bear is a legendary animal that feeds the myths of many civilizations: totemic animal of the American Indians, animal with healing power for the Siberian shamans, the symbol of the bear is also very present in Slavic rites and customs. During the "fašiangy", carnivals, the villagers traditionally made bear masks and disguised themselves with bear skins. The bear is also found in the popular imagination through numerous tales, myths and legends, usually relating stories of children being raised by a bear. It also has its place in folk music and dance, the most famous song is called Medveďu, daj labu ("Bear, give paw"). It dates back to the time of the nomadic gypsies who sang and danced all over the country. The bear was an everyday animal, which is why it was often carved or represented in everyday objects, for example on traditional wooden glasses(črpák). It also appeared on the coats of arms of Orava and Spiš counties and is still visible on the coats of arms of some villages.
The hunt is on
In the past, bears had enough space to live peacefully, but their territories have gradually shrunk in the face of man's desire to transform forests into arable land or grazing areas. The cohabitation between man and bear then evolved and the first conflicts arose. Due to lack of space, bears started to attack livestock, visit hives and grain fields. Perceived as parasites, they were not only hunted for pleasure by the nobility, but also hunted by the peasants. All methods of capture and killing were good: trapped in pits or pens and lured with bait. In the 18th century, a reward of seven gold coins was even paid for each bear killed. Once hunted, the bear's meat was eaten (the bear's paw was the most prized), its fur was used to make clothing and its precious bile was used as a remedy according to the precepts of traditional medicine. This hecatomb lasted until the inter-war period, when there were only a few dozen bears in Slovakia.
A protection policy that is bearing fruit
In 1932, the population and the authorities became aware that the bear was endangered, so a law on the year-round protection of the species was promulgated. Gradually, their population spread from their major centres of origin, namely the forests of northern and central Slovakia. The exact number is difficult to determine, as the bear has a wild lifestyle in a large and hardly accessible area. At present, Slovak experts estimate their population at around 1,200. The Bear Protection Act is still in force and is bearing fruit. Specialists are monitoring the development of their population and the Ministry grants a few dozen bear hunting licences per year. The framework is very precise: the hunted bear must weigh less than 100 kg (exceptionally 150 kg), in order to preserve the dominant males in their role as regulators of the natural balance. An exceptional permit is also sometimes granted to a targeted bear that has committed major damage or has become a threat to humans through its behaviour.
The preservation of this majestic animal in its natural environment seems to be ensured today thanks to cooperation between ecologists, national park workers, hunters, but also with tourists and mountain lovers. Eager for tranquillity, the brown bear, by its presence, is a good indicator of the balance of the forests in the face of man's domination over nature. Threats to the bear are not only poaching, but also human encroachment on its territory. The construction of roads, infrastructure and recreation centres divides and reduces the bear's living space. Lacking sources of food, they are forced to move closer to places invested by humans, at the risk of encountering them.The life of the bear
Despite its strength, the bear is not a good hunter, which is why it has gradually become omnivorous with 85 to 90% of its diet of plant origin. In the spring, it feeds on grass, but also on dead animals. In summer and autumn, its diet is more varied. Its diet consists of blueberries, raspberries and other forest fruits, acorns, ants and larvae. However, due to their large numbers in Slovakia, those who do not have enough space are forced to seek food in areas inhabited by humans and gradually get used to their presence. They come down from their mountains to search the beehives, rubbish dumps, garbage bins in villages or cottages to see if they can find something to eat. They then stock up on food before wintering from December to February or March.
Bears mate from May to July. Adult females tend to have one to three cubs every two to three years. Bear cubs are born in the den in winter and weigh less than 0.5 kg. On average, they will remain with their mother until they are two and a half years old.
Meeting with a bear
Even if the bear is not a man-eater, meeting it in the wild is not always an easy experience. It can be, in certain circumstances, dangerous for the man, this is why it is interesting to know where and how it lives and especially what to do if by chance, in the bend of a wood, you meet one.
Of course, to see a bear in the wild state is a dream for many and it is quite possible to realize it. To do so, it is preferable to find a safe place, without direct contact, where you can observe it from a safe distance. Some specialists offer bear watching trips in areas they know inside out: Liptov Active, Slovak Wildlife Society, Watching.sk.
Central Slovakia and the High Tatras are the kingdom of bears. Bears live in the mountains and are concentrated mainly in the national parks of central and northern Slovakia: the Low Tatras (Nízke Tatry), Little and Big Fatra (Veľká Fatra, Malá Fatra) and especially the High Tatras (Vysoké Tatry), where the numbers speak for themselves. In fact, in 2019, residents or visitors to the High Tatras reported 97 times the presence of the bear in residential areas. As for hikers, they encountered a bear in its environment more than 700 times, especially around the towns of Tatranska Lomnica
, Stary and Novy Smokovec. Note that there is an upsurge in their population in the southern half of central Slovakia, in the Ore Mountains (Slovenské Rudohorie) and the Poľana Mountains.How to avoid encountering a bear.
Maintain maximum vigilance when walking in the forest, know that you are potentially in his home. Watch carefully for signs of his presence, such as tracks on trees, damaged raspberry or fruit bushes, footprints or bear droppings. If you come across a dead animal, leave the area immediately. Bears are natural scavengers and can smell dead prey from up to 30 km away. It is the only land mammal with a sense of smell more powerful than a dog's. Don't be afraid to make noise, speak loudly, whistle or, like the locals, ring a small bell when you are crossing areas with limited visibility. Bears have good hearing. If they notice your presence in time, chances are they will avoid you. Avoid walking with a dog in the forest. This is risky, as the dog may smell the bear and start following it, or even attack it, or the other way around, it may run away from a bear and bring the animal directly to you.And if you meet it, what do you do?
If such an encounter occurs, it is imperative that you remain calm. Do not try to run, you have no chance, because the bear runs as fast as a horse. If you see a bear that is not acting aggressively and is not near you, try to gradually retrace your steps in a discreet manner. Always keep an eye on the bear and its reactions, but avoid direct eye contact as much as possible, as the bear may consider this a provocation or a challenge! Do not try to approach the bear or even feed it, as sometimes happens in some resorts, an area where one might feel safe. If you encounter cubs, do not try to interact or contact them, the mother bear is certainly not far away, she is watching over them and will do anything to defend her dear cubs. This is clearly one of the most dangerous situations. If the bear is after you and you have the opportunity to climb a tree, this is a possibility. Be aware, however, that the tree must be suitable and that you must climb at least four to five meters! Adult bears are not able to climb that high in trees, only small bears can. If the bear chases you, try to throw some of your gear or backpack away so you can "entertain" the bear for a while. Finally, if the worst happens and the bear stands up on its hind legs and prepares to attack you, throw yourself to the ground and "play dead". As you do this, protect your head, neck and abdomen in a position that resembles that of a fetus in the womb. Do not move until the bear leaves your area. Try to remain calm and manage this alarming situation as best you can, some testimonials have proven that this works.Keep in mind that these are only recommendations and do not guarantee a 100% "happy outcome". It is indeed difficult to know in advance how one would react in such a situation, especially in terms of emotional management which allows one to keep a cool head or not. Since the beginning of time, in the collective imagination, the bear has had an image of a violent beast, whereas in reality it is used to avoiding humans. Aggressions are generally caused by injured animals, surprised or disturbed during their hibernation. The bear is a solitary animal that lives alone in its territory. It is if it has to leave its territory to get food and get closer to areas inhabited by humans that a risky situation may arise. This proximity to humans can create the opportunity for a chance encounter, where the bear may feel threatened and attack.
