Romanian president signs legislation to cull brown bear population

Romanian President Nicusor Dan signed a law on Monday aimed at reducing the country's brown bear population, Euronews reported. The signing follows a sharp increase in bear attacks and instances of bears wandering into Romanian towns and villages in recent years. [1]

According to Euronews, the legislation permits the preventive shooting of 859 brown bears during this year. Additionally, authorities may hunt a further 110 protected large wild animals as an intervention measure if the animals pose a direct threat to human life. [1]

President Dan had previously challenged the bill on constitutional grounds and sent it back to parliament for reconsideration, Euronews reported. The Chamber of Deputies re-adopted the legislation on 16 September before it was sent to the president for final approval. [1]

The national flag of Romania is a tricolor featuring three equal vertical bands colored blue, yellow, and red. [2]