Three bears, including rescued bear Kirki, killed in Western Macedonia in 48 hours; environmental groups call for investigation
Two bears were shot and one was poisoned within 48 hours in Western Macedonia, including Kirki, a young bear recently released after a year of rehabilitation by Arcturos. Environmental organisations are demanding a full investigation and denouncing state inaction.
Three bear deaths in 48 hours
Within just 48 hours, three bears were found dead across Western Macedonia. The first was a male bear approximately 2.5 years old, discovered in Pylori, Voio municipality, killed by three gunshot wounds to the head. Shortly after, a second bear was found dead in Armenochori, Florina, also shot in the body and head. The third was Kirki, a young bear that had been cared for by the environmental organisation Arcturos for about a year before recently being released; her death is attributed to consumption of a poisoned bait.
Organisations decry lack of prevention
Arcturos stated that these are not "accidental incidents" and stressed the absence of organised prevention and immediate intervention by state mechanisms. The group noted that in Kirki's case, although the authorities were notified promptly, the required mobilisation only occurred after three days.
A poisoned animal left in the field can become a secondary source of poisoning for other wild or domestic animals.
Arcturos also emphasised that the timely response of services to such incidents is not a matter of discretion but a fundamental state obligation.
Kallisto calls for full investigation and judicial action
Environmental organisation Kallisto called for the full clarification of the three bear deaths and the referral of those responsible to justice. The group underlined that killing or injuring a bear is a criminal offence, as the brown bear is strictly protected under Greek and international law.
Regrettably, to date, no incident has been solved, which should concern the political leadership and the judiciary.
Kallisto also insisted that bear approaches to inhabited areas cannot serve as a pretext for vigilante acts.
Legal framework and the brown bear population
The brown bear is protected by the Forest Code, EU Habitats Directive, the Bern Convention, and CITES, and is classified as an endangered species in Greece's Red Data Book. Arcturos acknowledged that the recovery of the brown bear population is an undeniable success of Greece in nature protection, but cautioned that more frequent bear presence in certain areas cannot be used as an alibi for the lack of substantive management.
The coexistence of humans and bears is feasible.
Existing tools to manage bear approaches exist, but consistent implementation and operational support remain absent, the group noted.
