Near the town of Sopot in central Bulgaria, residents are increasingly alarmed by a bear and its cub that have repeatedly ventured into populated areas and attacked livestock.
The latest incident unfolded early this morning at a local monastery, where staff and visitors preparing animals for a sacrifice discovered a grim sight: three lambs had been killed and a fourth dragged away.
The unsettling discovery comes after several days of reports that the animal, accompanied by its cub, has been roaming dangerously close to homes in the Manastirski Livadi villa area. Locals say the bear has even descended into residential yards, sparking mounting fears for both residents and visitors exploring the Balkan countryside.
Employees of VMZ-Sopot, a major defense plant in the region, recalled their own brush with the animal earlier this week. Workers heading to the early morning shift were startled to see the bear and its cub crossing an alley near the Iganovo workshop, forcing many to retreat in shock.
Mayor Stanislav Stoenchev confirmed that the municipality has been receiving repeated reports of bear-related incidents. In response, he announced plans to formally request urgent intervention from the Hunting and Fishing Society in Karlovo as well as the Karlovo Forestry Department.
“The safety of people and their property must come first,” Stoenchev emphasized, underscoring the need for swift measures. Eng. Zlatyu Klichev, director of the Karlovo Forestry Department, confirmed that he has been informed of the situation and will take the necessary steps.
While he did not specify what those steps would be, local hunters and forestry officials are expected to monitor the bear’s movements closely in the coming days.
Ecologists, however, have raised a broader concern: Bulgaria’s bear population has been steadily increasing in recent years, with little in the way of coordinated national management strategies. They warn that without clear policies on monitoring, relocation, or population control, incidents like the one near Sopot are likely to become more frequent.
“The growing population is a sign of ecological recovery, but it is also a challenge,” one conservation expert noted. “Without preventive measures, bears will continue to come into conflict with people, particularly in rural areas where livestock are easy targets.”
For residents of Sopot and the surrounding villages, the issue is no longer abstract. With livestock losses mounting and bears appearing in broad daylight, many say their sense of safety has been shaken. Farmers fear further losses, while families living near the forest edges worry about the potential danger to children and pets.
The situation illustrates the delicate balance between conservation and community safety. While bears are protected under European and Bulgarian law, local authorities are under growing pressure to find a practical solution before the conflict escalates further.
For now, residents of Sopot remain on alert, keeping a wary eye on the forests that surround their homes. Whether the bear and its cub will be captured, relocated, or neutralized remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the community’s patience is wearing thin.