Good evening. Here is the Monday, March 31 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in a few minutes.
Bear culling proposed after fatality in central Slovakia
Illustrative image of a brown bear. (source: SME)
On late Sunday evening, a man with devastating injuries was found dead in a forest near the town of Detva, central Slovakia. According to the State Nature Protection (ŠOP), preliminary findings indicate that he succumbed to an attack by a brown bear.
This is the fourth death resulting from such incidents in Slovakia's modern history, with the first one in 2021 and two last year.
The attack took place about a kilometre from an urban area. Monitoring devices as well as warnings have been deployed. Preservationists urge people going on hikes to be careful as the warmer weather now increases the chance of meeting the animal.
In response to the attack, Environment Minister Tomáš Taraba (SNS nominee) said that Slovakia has a "positive population growth among bears" and that there is a need to embrace an across-the-board regulation of the population.
According to the Sme daily, a record number of bears were killed last year in Slovakia.
Taraba added that on Monday the ŠOP submitted a proposal to cull 350 bears as part of bear population management, and that a motion to declare a state of emergency in locations affected by the presence of bears will be submitted to the Wednesday government session with the aim of facilitating a cull.
Progressive Slovakia's environment expert and legislator Tamara Stohlová criticised Taraba for the proposal, saying the tragedy is a testament to the ministry's failure, and that despite the record number of bears culled, two people were killed in bear attacks. She also criticises the ministry for ignoring preventive measures.
Tips: How to stay safe around bears. An overview of answers to practical questions that are good to know before you find yourself in front of a brown bear.
Related: Two weekends ago, two separate bear attacks were reported in Slovakia’s Žilina Region. In addition to a man attacked near the Šútovo Waterfall, another hiker had a similarly harrowing encounter on one of the ridges of the Malá Fatra mountains. A man named Peter said he narrowly escaped serious injury after being charged by a female bear with four cubs. According to his account, he had a can of bear spray on him — but it did not help. “I emptied the whole thing, and she still kept attacking. So I pulled out my axe and struck her in the head twice,” he said. The bear reportedly stopped the attack after the second or third blow. The entire incident was caught on camera. (Žilinak)
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
LAST WEEK: As foot-and-mouth disease spreads, Fico no longer insists on a "different opinion". The benefits of EU membership suddenly become apparent.
ANIMALS: The foot-and-mouth outbreak hits a major Danish-owned cattle farm in Slovakia near the Austrian and Czech borders.
FOREIGN RELATIONS: Like General Milan Rastislav Štefánik, a national hero of both Slovakia and France, whose personal motto was "To Believe, To Love, To Work", we will continue to believe, love, and work together to deepen ties between France and Slovakia, writes Nicolas Suran, French Ambassador to Slovakia.
WAR IN UKRAINE: Dutch, a 26-year-old Slovak-Dutch raised in the UK, traded McDonald’s shifts for Ukraine’s front lines after prophetic dreams convinced him he was destined to fight.
ICE-HOCKEY: HKM Zvolen have reached the semi-finals of the Tipos Extraliga after clobbering regular-season winners HK Spišská Nová Ves in Game 6.
HOUSING: Municipalities in the Bratislava hinterland have been growing for many years, with Hviezdoslavov being the record breaker among them.
SLOVAK ROOTS: In the newest installment of the newsletter, you will find several personal stories about how people found their connection to Slovakia, in addition to the usual travel guide or history piece.
If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our online subscription with no ads and a print copy of The Slovak Spectator sent to your home in Slovakia. Thank you.
PODCAST
From Mexico to Slovakia
Tanya Benito with moderator James Thomson. (source: Elizaveta Blahodarova)
Originally from Mexico, Tanya Benito moved to Slovakia for a job with her American company. Little did she know that within just a few days of her arrival, she would meet her future husband. In what sounds like a true romance story, Tanya not only won her husband’s heart but also took over his job.
EVENT FOR THE WEEKEND
Season of marathons begins
Participants of the previous edition of the ČSOB marathon. (source: TASR)
The 20th edition of the ČSOB Bratislava Marathon is upon us. The popular race winds through the historic parts of Bratislava, offering an interesting path for both local and foreign runners alike. Registration will take place over several days, with shorter races being held on Saturday; the main event as well as the half-marathon and relay race are on Sunday. For more information and registration, click here. If you are not the athletic type, you can always join the crowds cheering for runners.
If you would like to train a bit ahead, here are a few tips on popular running routes in Bratislava shared by foreigners.
IN OTHER NEWS
A police investigator rejected the criminal complaint filed by Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová against writer Michal Hvorecký who called the former a neo-fascist in his 2023 opinion piece for the Denník N daily. Šimkovičová accused Hvorecký of defamation, a charge that could carry a prison sentence of one to five years. Back then, Hvorecký explained his reasoning on the grounds of her statement regarding the "extinction of the white race in Europe" due to the spread of LGBT+ ideology, which is used by far-right groups. Last year, PM and Smer chair Robert Fico filed a lawsuit against Peter Bárdy, editor-in-chief of the news website Aktuality.sk, over a book titled "Fico - Obsessed with Power". (Facebook)
Slovak figure skater Adam Hagara finished 16th at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Boston. This is so far his best standing at a world championship event. He has already secured a spot in the upcoming winter Olympics next year. (Sportnet)
According to a new CEDMO Special Brief report, 54 percent of Slovaks, when PM Robert Fico is talking about a state coup, believe that he is trying to divert attention from the problems his government is facing. Also, 53 percent think that the government is moving away from the pro-Western orientation given by the EU and NATO. In regards to the coup, 42 percent do believe that the opposition is connected to foreign actors and is attempting a coup. When it comes to trust in institutions, 54 percent do not trust the government, 53 percent do not trust the social media, 51 do not trust political parties. (CEDMO)
Slovakia has received €101 million from the European Union for energy projects to rebuild Ukraine. According to Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár (Smer), these projects are good for Slovakia in terms of supporting entrepreneurs who will be involved in the reconstruction of Ukraine. (TASR)
The synth-punk duo Berlin Manson won three awards out of four nominations at the 17th edition of the Rádiohlavy music awards held last Friday, including the best album of 2024 as well as the debut album of 2024. In addition, their song Nemám Koho Obdivovať (No One to Look Up To), which was recorded together with singer Katarzia, won in the best song category. Nina Kohout's Gentle Autopsy album won the journalist award. (Rádiohlavy)
As many as 63 percent of Slovaks (EU average 66 percent) think that the European Union should play a more important role in protecting its citizens against global crises and security risks in the future, according to a winter Eurobarometer survey. Also, 80 percent of Slovaks (EU average 74 percent) believe that their country benefits from the membership, with 51 percent of those agreeing that job opportunities are the biggest benefit; 35 percent of respondents from across the EU view the union's contribution to preserving peace and strengthening security as the biggest benefit of their country's membership. In addition, 88 percent of Slovaks (EU average 89 percent) agree that EU-member states should be more united so that they can face current global challenges. At the same time, 76 percent of EU citizens and 63 percent of Slovaks think that the EU needs more money to face current global challenges. The European Union is currently positively viewed by 50 percent of the EU population and 41 percent of Slovak citizens. (TASR)
Due to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, the government agreed to deploy soldiers to help the police with securing borders and guarding buildings as the resources and forces of the police are insufficient. They will be deployed to all former border crossings with Hungary, selected border crossings with Austria and some structures until May 31. The Defence Ministry also banned the general public from entering forests in the Záhorie Military Area, which is close to the village of Plavecký Štvrtok where a new outbreak was confirmed on Sunday. The culling of more than 3,500 cattle will probably start on Wednesday. (TASR)
A disinfection frame has been built on the road to the village of Plavecký Štvrtok near Bratislava due to the detection of the food-and-mouth disease at the local farm. Only two roads are open at the moment in and out of the village. Forest roads have been also closed. (source: TASR)
WEATHER FOR TUESDAY: Cloudy, occasionally showers especially in the north. Daily temperatures will rise to between 12 °C to 18 °C. Level 1 wind warning in several north-western, central and south-eastern districts, see the map here. (SHMÚ)
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