Feeding bears to be punished with major fines in Romania

Romania Imposes Heavy Fines for Feeding Wild Bears

The Romanian government approved a new emergency ordinance that sets substantial fines for feeding wild bears, announced Environment Minister Diana Buzoianu on Thursday, November 6.

Definitions and Objectives

The legislation clarifies terms like feeding of bears and habituated bear to reduce human behaviors that attract bears into populated areas, according to Agerpres.

Fines and Penalties

Fines will range between RON 10,000 and RON 30,000 (about EUR 2,000–6,000).

New Intervention Rules in Urban Areas

The ordinance also introduces updated protocols for bear-related incidents in cities:

Local emergency committees can immediately decide on actions such as chasing bears away, relocating, or shooting them without following the usual multi-step procedure.
These committees may hold electronic meetings to expedite decisions when physical presence isn't possible.
Police representatives can join the committees, substituting the Gendarmerie to accelerate response times.

“Local Police representatives may also join the committees, replacing the Gendarmerie when needed, to speed up response times,” said Minister Diana Buzoianu.

Summary

The Romanian government is enforcing strict regulations and hefty fines to discourage feeding bears and improve rapid response in urban bear encounters.

Author’s Summary

The new Romanian law imposes heavy fines and empowers local committees to swiftly handle urban bear incidents, aiming to protect both people and wildlife.

Romania Insider — 2025-11-06