Safety warning issued after bear sighting in Czech military zone

Authorities have issued a warning after reports of a possible bear, or even a small group of bears, in the Doupov Mountains military training area near Hradiště on the outskirts of Karlovy Vary. The warning, released Friday by the Hradiště Military Area office, urges anyone near the zone to exercise caution.

The warning is noteworthy because bears are extremely rare in western Czechia, and even unconfirmed sightings can pose unexpected risks to people living, working, or traveling nearby. Officials emphasize that while the military zone restricts public access, increased vigilance is advised in surrounding areas.

Petr Toman, spokesperson for Military Forests and Estates of the Czech Republic (VLS ČR), said authorities are collaborating with relevant experts to confirm or disprove the sighting.

“Currently, we are investigating reports and monitoring the area. Public access is prohibited without permission, but nearby residents and visitors should remain alert,” Toman stated.

Ladislav Richter, head of the Hradiště Military Area office, added that the warning is primarily preventive, aiming to reduce risk for military personnel and others operating near the zone.

Experts note that bear activity in this region is unusual. Miroslav Kutal, an ecologist at MENDELU and wildlife specialist with Hnutí DUHA Šelmy, said the nearest known populations of bears in Czechia are hundreds of kilometers east in the Beskydy Mountains.

“While monitoring continues, it’s highly unlikely that a bear would appear in the Doupovs, given the absence of established populations,” Kutal said.

Although the warning does not indicate immediate danger, it could affect hiking and outdoor activities near the military zone. The area itself is restricted from public access, but authorities recommend reporting any bear tracks, sightings, or unusual animal activity in the nearby vicinity.

Czechia’s wild bear population is minimal, mostly concentrated near the Slovak border. By contrast, Slovakia has recently faced fatal bear incidents, prompting government culls and public debate about safety.

The growing European brown bear population, estimated at 20,000, underscores increasing human-wildlife interactions across Central Europe, though such encounters in western Czechia remain extremely rare.

Military areas like Hradiště often serve as habitats for wildlife because human presence is limited outside of training exercises. Similar sightings in the region have included wolves and critically endangered wildcats, demonstrating that restricted zones can sustain diverse fauna.

Authorities plan to continue monitoring the area and coordinating with wildlife experts. The public is urged to report any bear signs promptly and to avoid unauthorized entry into the military zone.