Nature & Travel

Polish authorities warn tourists to take care as brown bears wake from winter slumber

Photo by George Frey/Getty Images
Southern Poland is home to an estimated 100-150 bears. Photo by: Arterra/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
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Poland’s Tatra National Park has urged tourists to be cautious as brown bears begin emerging from hibernation due to rising temperatures.

Tomasz Zając, a guide and educator at the park – which includes some of the country’s highest mountains – told state news agency PAP that fresh bear tracks have been spotted, indicating that the animals are now searching for food.

Zając said that, despite forecasts of snowfall in the region, bears are beginning to look for green plants in lower forested areas, digging up roots, and scavenging for carrion, including chamois that may have perished in avalanches.

“A bear encounter can be dangerous, especially if someone unknowingly gets between a mother and her cubs,” he warned. “The best response is to slowly back away in the opposite direction—running or making loud noises can provoke an attack.”

Brown bears, Europe’s largest land predators, can reach speeds of up to 50 km/h in short bursts, making escape impossible.

Park authorities also urged visitors to properly secure waste, as food scraps can attract bears to residential areas such as Zakopane, a popular tourist town near the park.

Poland is home to an estimated 100-150 bears, all in the southern part of the country.

In addition to the bear warning, a significant avalanche risk remains in the mountains, with a level three hazard warning in effect above 1,600 meters.
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