Woman from Belarus Tragically Dies in Bear Chase
A woman from Belarus met a tragic end in Slovakia after being pursued by a bear in dense forest and mountainous terrain. The 31-year-old, accompanied by a 29-year-old man, encountered the bear in the Low Tatras mountain range. They ran in opposite directions, leading to the woman’s disappearance from the man’s view as the bear relentlessly chased her. Tragically, the pursuit ended with the discovery of the woman’s lifeless body beneath a ravine.
Rescue Efforts and Investigations
Rescue crews, aided by a service dog and thermal imaging drones, scoured the area following the couple’s encounter with the bear. Despite the woman’s untimely demise, her companion was found unharmed nearby. The bear, initially near the woman’s body, was frightened off by crews and the service dog. The incident has sparked an investigation to ascertain the cause of death and surrounding circumstances.
Increasing Bear Attacks in the Region
The fatal encounter is a stark reminder of the growing number of bear attacks in the region. Just the day after the tragic incident, another brown bear left a 49-year-old woman and a 72-year-old man injured in a nearby town. The rise in bear attacks in the area, including a fatal incident in 2021, signals an alarming trend in Slovakia, known for its brown bear population.
Bears in the Carpathian Mountains
Slovakia’s Low Tatras range, nestled in the Carpathian mountains, serves as a habitat for brown bears. With the bear population estimated to be around 1,250 a decade ago, these creatures continue to thrive in the region. The frequency of bear encounters underscores the need for caution and awareness when venturing into bear territories.