Following an aggressive bear encounter in Morochów, biologist Dr. Wojciech Śmietana advises residents on how to safely navigate encounters with large predators.
Aggressive Encounter in Morochów
Marcin Możdżonek, President of the Supreme Hunting Council, former Polish national volleyball captain, and Olsztyn councilman, reported an aggressive adult male bear attack in Morochów on May 5. Local official Marek Bańkowski confirmed via Facebook that farmers building a cattle fence narrowly escaped by seeking shelter in a vehicle, roughly 10 km from a recent fatal attack.
One farmer, who had previously only seen bears from a tractor, noted that this was the first time an animal jumped from the bushes to attack. The incident was reported to the Sanok police, who confirmed the men observed the bear moving toward them before they fled the scene in their car.
Understanding Simulated Attacks
Biologist Dr. Wojciech Śmietana from the Nature and Science Foundation described the event as a “simulated attack” since no physical contact occurred. He explained that a bear may run toward a person and suddenly veer to the side to intimidate them.
Dr. Śmietana warned that running can provoke a chase. While some individuals are becoming less timid near buildings in Solina and Cisna, most Bieszczady encounters are defensive reactions rather than predatory attacks.
Management and Regional Tensions
Tensions in Podkarpacie are high following the April 23 death of a 58-year-old woman near Płonna, who died from head injuries after being attacked by a bear. While officials have requested the elimination of “dangerous individuals,” Dr. Śmietana noted that finding the specific bear responsible is currently a fruitless search.
Safety Protocols in Bear Territory
To prevent incidents, experts advise signaling presence with noise and avoiding thick undergrowth or areas with limited visibility. It is also recommended to avoid walking during heavy wind or rain, avoid walking alone, carry bear-specific pepper spray, and stick to forest roads or tourist trails.