Rising bear populations pose threat to residents in North Macedonia

Villagers living around Mavrovo National Park, located in Western Macedonia, have been reporting an increase in close bear encounters. The number of brown bears have doubled, and villagers living around the national park live in fear of bears breaking into their homes or hurting their children. One woman said a bear had broken into her home and damaged her kitchen. Another man said that villagers have to carry around firecrackers to scare off any bears they can encounter. Livestock and crops have been severely damaged and residents are calling for this situation to be taken care of. Even in the winter bears wander into the village searching for food. The head of the national Crises Management Center Stojance Angelov says it has to do with rising temperatures. Bears are not hibernating in the winter, and therefore look to the village for food. Angelov says that despite bears being protected in North Macedonia, they allow for the shooting of a bear if they become too aggressive.

By: Ayshe Ali

Source: https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/north-macedonia-national-parks-rising-bear-population-poses-103628396