In Vilnius, local authorities wanted to kill a young female bear. The animal was walking on highways, but the authorities have not yet allowed it to be killed in courtyards. Hunters themselves have come to its defense.
A young brown bear has caused quite a stir in the capital of Lithuania. For two days, the animal leisurely strolled through the suburbs of Vilnius. Crossed roads and looked into courtyards. Numerous passers-by with smartphones and even drones followed her. This turned her appearance into a national event – after all, this was the first time in many years that a bear got so close to the city.
AP writes about this.
The government's decision has sparked outrage
Following this incident, the Lithuanian government suddenly issued a permit to shoot the bear. This decision shocked the Lithuanian Association of Hunters and Fishermen, which categorically refused to implement it.
“She was scared, but not aggressive. She just didn't know how to escape the city, but she didn't do anything bad,” Juknyte said.
Hunters who monitor the population of these rare animals in Lithuania (they estimate there are only 5-10 of them) have suggested a more humane approach: calm the animal, track it down and transport it.
Happy ending and historical background
Faced with public outrage, Lithuanian authorities have taken a defensive stance. Deputy Environment Minister Ramunas Krugelis said the permit for the shoot was merely a precautionary measure in case the bear posed a threat.
While the debate about her fate continued, the bear solved her own problem. On Wednesday, she was captured on camera peacefully wandering through the forest about 60 kilometers from Vilnius, chewing corn.
Brown bears are native to the region, but were nearly hunted to extinction in Lithuania in the 19th century due to overhunting and habitat loss.
Let's remember, the Dodo, the quagga, the sea cow, the thylacine – dozens of species have disappeared due to hunting, deforestation and climate change. Some of them disappeared hundreds of years ago, others just before our eyes.
