The first complex for the care, rehabilitation, and protection of brown bears in Romania will operate in the forest fund managed by the Kronstadt Forest Administration in Brașov, Romania.
Environment Minister Mircea Fechet participated on Wednesday in the inauguration of the construction works of the bear protection sanctuary.
The rehabilitation center is being built in Valea Timișului and will cover an area of 61.18 hectares, belonging to the city of Brașov and managed by the Kronstadt Forest Administration.
The capacity of this center will be approximately 100 individuals, where bear cubs, mother bears with cubs, and mature males causing problems in inhabited areas and unable to be relocated due to deviant behavior will be brought.
The project is called "Implementation of the national action plan for the conservation of the brown bear population in Romania" and is carried out by the Ministry of Environment, in partnership with the Local Public Administration of Kronstadt Forests, the National Forest Administration - Romsilva, and the National Research and Development Institute in Forestry "Marin Drăcea."
"Romania has proven that it is capable of managing the largest brown bear population in Europe, and furthermore, ensuring conditions for it to thrive.
Between 6,400 and 7,200 individuals live in the Carpathian Mountains, slightly over 40% of Europe's bear population.
Through this project, in general, by taking measures to maintain a vigorous population of large carnivores, including bears, while protecting human activities in small agricultural and hunting communities that overlap with the natural habitats of large carnivores, we demonstrate that Romania can become an example within the European Union regarding brown bear conservation," stated Mircea Fechet, quoted on the ministry's Facebook page.
Also today, three bears were shot by authorities in Miercurea Ciuc.
The overall objective of the project is to maintain the current conservation status of the brown bear population and its habitat in the long term.
The funding comes from the EU. The project was financed through the POIM 2014-2020, and currently, implementation continues with funding provided by the Sustainable Development Program 2021-2027 (PDD).
The total budget allocated, including all planned equipment within the project, is approximately 10 million lei (2 million euros). The funds are non-refundable, with 85% from European funds and 15% from the state budget.
Equipment contributing to the functioning of the complex has already been purchased: a drone, two cable cars for bear feeding, and a transport cage.
Works are in progress for the electrical connection and the construction of the metal fence that will enclose the area.
The complex will have specialized veterinary services, as well as a photo-video surveillance system.