A brown bear has been regularly seen in an area of a popular tourist route near Košice. The municipality of the village Zlatá Idka (Košice-okolie district) has officially warned local residents and travelers about the danger. According to Slovak media reports, the predator was seen directly on the red tourist route — the famous Trail of the Heroes of the SNP (Cesta hrdinov SNP), and also in the area called Hutné stavby.
The Volovské vrchy mountain range is traditionally popular among Ukrainians living in the Košice region, who often go there for hiking or weekend walks. The presence of a predator near a busy trail creates a real risk, so local authorities are asking tourists to reconsider their plans or adjust their behavior in the forest. As it is now the peak of the summer season, it is worth not ignoring such warnings, as bear encounters in Slovakia happen regularly this year.
To minimize risks while hiking in the Zlatá Idka area, the publication Teraz reminds of the mandatory safety rules:
Do not go into the forest alone. A group of people makes noise while talking, which usually scares the animal away before visual contact.
Avoid dense bushes. Visibility is greatly limited there, which can lead to accidentally encountering the animal up close.
Keep dogs exclusively on a leash. An uncontrolled animal can provoke a bear and, getting scared, lead it directly to its owner.
Separately, the local administration appeals to parents to talk with their children and warn them about the need to be careful in nature. If you do encounter a bear, the main rule for survival is not to panic. Under no circumstances should you approach the animal, try to photograph it for social media, or make sudden movements or shout to scare it. You need to remain calm, do not look the predator directly in the eyes, and slowly walk away in a safe direction.
