One of Romania’s most scenic roads has become a popular place to spot brown bears, but some visitors are getting dangerously close. Motorists regularly stop along the Transfăgărășan Highway to feed the animals and take photos.
During one three-hour period in July, at least 20 bears emerged from the forest and approached vehicles. Tourists continued handing them food despite signs warning that feeding wild animals is illegal.
Romania is now nearly doubling its annual bear-hunting quota to approximately 900 for 2026 and 2027. Lawmakers say the increase is intended to control the population and prevent deadly encounters.
Wildlife advocates argue that hunting more bears will not solve the problem on its own. They want stronger enforcement of feeding bans, better waste management and more electric fencing around vulnerable properties.
Bears Have Learned to Approach Cars for Food
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Video shared by Reuters shows brown bears standing beside the Transfăgărășan Highway as motorists slow down or stop. Several animals walk directly toward vehicles after becoming accustomed to receiving food.
The winding mountain road passes through the Carpathians and has become one of Romania’s best-known drives. However, the roadside bear encounters have caused traffic backups and placed both visitors and wildlife in danger.
Bears also enter communities in search of food. One resident of Predeal told Reuters that a bear visits trash containers near his home almost every evening, leaving residents afraid to go outside.
Romania Has Up to 13,000 Brown Bears
A preliminary DNA study estimates that Romania is home to between 10,000 and 13,000 brown bears. The country has Europe’s largest population outside Russia.
Nearly 30 people have been killed in bear encounters in Romania during the past two decades, according to the environment ministry. Increasing development and changing environmental conditions have also pushed more bears toward populated areas.
Critics worry that hunters will target large trophy animals living deep in the forest rather than bears that enter towns and approach tourists. Local officials have already been allowed to kill bears that enter gardens and homes since 2021.