A bear with cubs injures a jogger in Slovakia

A bear attacked and injured a 27-year-old runner in Slovakia, Trenčín regional police said on Thursday.

The news agency TASR reported that the man's life is not in danger, but he will have to stay in hospital for some time for observation.

The state nature protection agency SOP reported that the incident took place on Wednesday evening in the municipality of Nedozhery-Brezany, but not in the settlement itself.

Hunters were the first to arrive at the scene and provided first aid to the injured man.

The settlement is known as a habitat for brown bears and visitors are advised to be careful. According to SOP, the female bear's behaviour was „natural“, apparently in defence of her cubs.

According to 2022 data, there are around 1,200 bears living in the wild in Slovakia. A new census is planned for 2025–2026. These predators usually avoid humans if spotted in time. However, they may attack if they are surprised or if their cubs are in danger.

In recent years, several encounters with bears in Slovakia have resulted in fatalities.