A Bulgarian tourist stopped his car next to a bear and her cub on the Transfăgărășan highway, at Romênia. The man threw food through the open window of the vehicle. The female reacted aggressively and bit his arm. The incident happened on May 27th. The tourist needed emergency surgery.
The case occurred on one of the country’s most famous roads for the presence of bears. Muitos visitors stop to observe the animals despite official warnings. Georgi Bizhev, 46 years old, recorded the moment on video when the bear advanced.
Ursa advances on the vehicle and bites tourist on the arm
The bear stood up on her hind legs and stuck her paw inside the car. The animal bit Bizhev’s left arm, who used the limb to protect his face. Testemunhas in another vehicle honked and shouted to scare the bear away. The seat belt prevented the man from being dragged out.
The tourist suffered serious injuries. Ele underwent surgery shortly after the attack. Recovery should take three to four months. Nenhum of the animals was injured during the episode.
- The bear was with the cub, which may explain the defensive reaction;
- Alimentos for wild animals are sold at points close to the road;
- Alimentar bears are prohibited by law on Romênia.
Transfăgărășan Road attracts tourists despite the risks
The mountainous highway is in the central region of Romênia. Ela is famous for its landscapes and the frequent presence of bears. Local Autoridades repeatedly warn about the danger of stopping near animals. Mesmo thus, the place gained the informal nickname of Passagem from Ursos.
Muitos drivers ignore instructions and stop to take photographs or offer food. The behavior increases the risk of habituation of the animals, which will come closer to the roads. Especialistas consider this interaction dangerous for humans and bears.
Turista admits error and receives high fine
Bizhev admitted liability. “I entered her territory, it was a mistake for which I paid,” he said in a later interview. The Romanian authority imposed a fine equivalent to more than R$22,000 for feeding wildlife. The value reflects the severity of the prohibited conduct.
The case reinforces wildlife awareness campaigns. Autoridades Romanian women have recorded similar incidents over the years in the same region. The official recommendation is to keep a safe distance and never feed the animals.
Vídeos of the attack circulates and generates alert
Registros made by the car’s occupants and drivers behind show the sequence. In one of the videos, screams echo as the bear forces the window. Outro record captures the attempt to drive the animal away with the horn. The images went viral on social media.
The material serves as a practical reminder of the risks. Especialistas in wildlife use these cases to educate tourists about safe behavior in bear areas.
Romênia records increase in encounters between humans and bears
The population of brown bears is growing in the country. Isso generates more interactions on roads and villages near forests. Autoridades discuss management measures, including population control in some regions. The episode with Bizhev is included in the list of recent alerts.
International Turistas who visit Transfăgărășan receive clear guidance at the information points. Manter Windows closed, not stopping and avoiding food are the main rules.