Bear Expert Warns of Increased Attack Risk as Animals Emerge from Winter Hibernation

Bears have awakened from their winter hibernation, with female bears and their cubs beginning to emerge from their dens in March and April. According to bear expert Michal Haring, this period presents heightened risk for humans moving through forests, as mother bears may aggressively defend their young. The expert also cautioned about increased danger during the bears' mating season from April to June, when the animals become more active and mobile. Slovakia's mountainous regions are home to Europe's largest brown bear population outside of Romania and Scandinavia, making human-bear encounters a regular concern for hikers, hunters, and rural residents during spring and early summer months.