Italian Motorcyclist Killed by Bear on Romania’s Transfăgărășan Road

An Italian motorcyclist was fatally mauled by a she-bear on Romania's Transfăgărășan road near the Vidraru Dam after stopping to feed and photograph the animal, despite clear warnings against interacting with bears. The bear dragged the victim into a ravine approximately 40 to 60 meters deep, where his body was later recovered by mountain rescuers and authorities. The incident highlights the dangers posed by the region's large brown bear population, which is significantly above optimal levels, leading to increased encounters with humans. Officials stressed that feeding bears disrupts their natural behavior, causing them to lose fear of humans and become aggressive, which often results in fatal attacks or the bear being killed. Romanian authorities have issued warnings and installed signage to educate tourists, advising them to avoid feeding or approaching bears, keep a safe distance, and take precautions such as carrying bear spray. The tragedy underscores ongoing challenges in managing human-bear interactions amid overpopulation and habituation of bears in the area.