On a cornfield near the Slovak village of Očová, hunter Tibor Földes recorded 26 bears moving together at night using a thermal camera in late September. State conservation authorities and hunters attribute the gathering to a scarcity of natural food in forests ahead of the winter hibernation period, which drives the animals toward fields and human settlements in search of high-calorie sustenance.
Thermal Camera Footage Captures Unusual Bear Gathering
Hunter Tibor Földes captured the footage in the dark using specialized thermal imaging equipment and subsequently published the video on Facebook. The recording shows up to 26 bears active simultaneously on the agricultural land. According to hunters cited by Novinky.cz, forest food sources are low this year, forcing the large predators to forage in open fields to build up necessary fat reserves before winter sleep.
State Nature Protection issued a warning advising residents to exercise heightened caution around cornfields. Harvesting machinery frequently flushes out wildlife sheltering inside the tall crops, increasing the likelihood of sudden human-wildlife encounters. Beyond cornfields, the animals increasingly frequent orchards and gardens where dropped fruit creates an easy food source.
Did you know?
State conservationists warn that leaving fallen fruit in gardens acts as a direct attractant, motivating bears to return repeatedly to the same residential locations.
Recent Attacks Raise Safety Concerns Across Slovakia
The concentration of wildlife near human areas coincides with aggressive incidents across northern Slovakia. In mid-September, two separate bear attacks occurred on consecutive days in the vicinity of Martin. In the village of Necpaly, a bear inflicted severe injuries on a cattle herder, while a second incident in Blatnica left a 79-year-old woman injured.
Livestock losses have also mounted. In the village of Turčianske Klačany in the Martin district, a mother bear repeatedly targeted a sheep flock. The predator killed or injured approximately 15 sheep during an initial raid before the animal was shot following a subsequent attack.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are bears gathering in agricultural fields in Slovakia?
Bears are drawn to cornfields and orchards to find high-calorie food and build up fat reserves before winter hibernation. Hunters report a shortage of natural food in the forests this season.
What precautions are authorities recommending to residents?
State conservation authorities advise increased caution near cornfields during harvest operations and urge residents to clear fallen fruit from gardens to avoid attracting the animals.
Have there been recent conflicts between bears and humans?
Yes. In mid-September, two bear attacks in the vicinity of Martin injured a cattle herder in Necpaly and a 79-year-old woman in Blatnica. A mother bear also attacked a sheep flock in Turčianske Klačany before being shot.
What are your thoughts on managing wildlife populations near agricultural areas? Share your perspective in the comments below, or explore our latest reporting on regional news and safety updates.
Worth a look