Filip Kuffa, pictured (left) in a helicopter. (source: FB: Nie v našom meste)
On April 5, 2024, Filip Kuffa, who is a state secretary (i.e. deputy minister) at the Environment Ministry and a Slovenská Národná Strana (SNS) nominee, flew in a Robinson R44 Raven helicopter, registration OK-STR, over the Malá Fatra National Park, the Denník N news website reports.
The flight has caused indignation among environmentalists because it was carried out at low altitude and directly over an area that is strictly regulated to protect nesting birds of prey, including rare eagles and falcons.
The helicopter probably took off near Terchová and later hovered over the Snilovské Sedlo saddle and Veľký Rozsutec peak. Denník N reported that the helicopter is owned by the Czech firm Industry-logistik s. r. o., based in Ostrava, making it effectively a transnational incident.
"The leadership of the ministry should avoid flying with companies that fly in a way that raises questions as to whether this company has committed a misdemeanour or a criminal offence when violating species protection," ornithologist Jozef Ridzoň pointed out.
Kuffa, who's been under scrutiny for allegedly attempting to influence the management of the Tatras National Park (TANAP) with his brother, was identified from a video filmed from inside the helicopter.
Disturbing birds of prey
Environmentalists and conservation experts are concerned about the impact of such low-altitude flights on the wildlife in the area.
The flight route and altitude reportedly did not comply with the regulations in force, which stipulate specific guidelines to prevent disturbances in such ecologically sensitive zones.The ongoing presence of closed paths within the national park during the breeding season, mandated since 2005, underscores the critical nature of these habitats for wildlife conservation.
According to Jozef Ridzoň, a noted ornithologist from the Slovak Ornithological Society/BirdLife, breeding eagles and falcons could have been seriously disturbed by the noise and proximity of the helicopter.
"According to our data, there is one pair of bald eagles and three peregrine falcons at the affected location," said Ridzoň.
The breeding season is critically sensitive, and disturbances can lead to birds abandoning their nests, which in turn can result in failed breeding cycles for these protected species.
A few years ago, newly hatched chicks died of starvation in six falcon nests in Malá Fatra after a helicopter flew over them. The parents did not return to them out of fear.
Ministry's reaction
Denník N also contacted the Environment Ministry with several questions, but received no response.
"I don't know where he was," Minister Tomáš Taraba told the press on April 12. "We'll file a motion to investigate whether Kuffa was driving the helicopter or ordering it," the minister added.
The absence of any contractual links between the government and Industry-logistik, as per the state contract registry, raises questions regarding the authorization and purpose of the flight. Moreover, there appears to be no radar records about the flight, suggesting a non-standard approach to flying by the pilot. In this way, the pilot did not have to identify himself and state the location.
Kuffa, on the other hand, filmed another video in which he questioned the claim that he had even used a helicopter.
The deputy minister commented: "Even if I did go there by helicopter, there is an official heliport. It's not true that flights are banned; flights over national parks do occur; there are certain regulations that must be adhered to." In the video he neither confirms nor denies travelling by helicopter, but implies that he did not.
Kuffa also denies that a protected eagle nests in the area in question.
On April 13, he said that if he needs to travel to regions due to the zoning plans of national parks, he'll get back into the helicopter and will disregard all the levels of nature protection.
