Hunters report bear sightings across Czechia, but experts question claims

Police in Czechia are investigating claims that someone may be deliberately releasing bears in the country after hunters reported sightings near Karlovy Vary, Pelhřimov, and Hranice. The reports have raised concerns about public safety, property damage, and the unusual presence of large predators outside their normal habitats.

Authorities and experts say that even unconfirmed reports can affect communities, triggering heightened vigilance and disrupting daily routines. Residents may be more cautious outdoors, and local authorities must devote resources to monitoring potential risks. The debate also highlights challenges in distinguishing actual wildlife movements from misinformation.

The Českomoravská myslivecká jednota (Czech-Moravian Hunting Union) has called for police and other agencies to thoroughly investigate the reports.

“We have information suggesting bears have appeared in three separate locations,” said Jiří Janota, the union’s chairman. He added that it was unlikely the animals arrived naturally from neighboring countries, raising suspicions of deliberate releases.

Hunters reported a mother bear with cubs near Karlovy Vary, repeated sightings near Senožaty by Pelhřimov, and another potential female with a cub near Hranice. According to Janota, some animals may have damaged property, such as trash bins, though no human injuries have been reported.

Wildlife specialists, however, caution that there is no verified proof of bears in the reported areas.

“There is no evidence such as tracks or droppings that confirms these sightings,” Miroslav Kutal of Mendel University in Brno tells Czech News Agency. Michal Feller of Hnutí DUHA Šelmy also called the reports “unsubstantiated” and said false sightings are common, sometimes involving misidentified animals like wild boars.

Czech Police have confirmed they are reviewing the reports and will act if the presence of bears is verified.

“In cooperation with experts and Zoo Dvůr Králové, any confirmed animals will be captured and quarantined,” a police statement says. The Ministry of Environment and the State Veterinary Administration are monitoring the situation, though no escaped or released animals have been confirmed.

In Czechia, bear sightings are traditionally limited to the Beskydy Mountains, migrating from Slovakia. Occasional stray bears appear elsewhere in the Czech Republic, but sightings outside these areas are rare. In Slovakia, authorities have taken measures in response to increasing human-bear interactions, including regulated culling in some regions.

Even unverified sightings can affect daily life, particularly in rural areas. People may limit outdoor activities, avoid walking in forests, and take precautions with pets and livestock. Municipal authorities may need to increase monitoring and public communication, and local businesses could see minor disruptions if fear of wildlife rises.

Authorities are urging the public to report any bear sightings to police while advising caution. Residents encountering a bear should maintain distance and contact the police immediately. Officials say investigations will continue to determine whether the animals are wild, have escaped from private holdings, or the reports are false alarms.