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Lithuanian hunters refuse to kill bear that ambled around capital for two days Lithuanian hunters refuse to kill bear that ambled around capital for two days
(1 day later)
Government issued permit to shoot young female who entered Vilnius, despite only small number left in Baltic country Permit was issued to shoot, as a last resort, young female that entered Vilnius despite dwindling bear population
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A young female bear caused a stir after wandering out of the forest and into the leafy suburbs of the Lithuanian capital.A young female bear caused a stir after wandering out of the forest and into the leafy suburbs of the Lithuanian capital.
For two days, the brown bear ambled through the neighbourhoods of Vilnius, trotted across highways and explored backyards – all while being chased by onlookers with smartphones and, eventually, drones.For two days, the brown bear ambled through the neighbourhoods of Vilnius, trotted across highways and explored backyards – all while being chased by onlookers with smartphones and, eventually, drones.
The government then issued a permit for the bear to be shot and killed. The government then issued a permit allowing the bear to be shot and killed if it became aggressive and posed a threat to human life.
That did not go down well with Lithuania’s hunters who, aware that there were only a tiny number of the protected species in the entire country, refused.That did not go down well with Lithuania’s hunters who, aware that there were only a tiny number of the protected species in the entire country, refused.
The Lithuanian association of hunters and fishermen said it was shocked by the government’s approach.The Lithuanian association of hunters and fishermen said it was shocked by the government’s approach.
The association’s administrator, Ramutė Juknytė, said the bear was a beautiful young female who was about two years old and did not deserve to be shot. “She was scared but not aggressive. She just didn’t know how to escape the city but she didn’t do anything bad,” he said.The association’s administrator, Ramutė Juknytė, said the bear was a beautiful young female who was about two years old and did not deserve to be shot. “She was scared but not aggressive. She just didn’t know how to escape the city but she didn’t do anything bad,” he said.
The organisation tracks the movements of bears. It believes there are only five to 10 bears in the Baltic country but does not have a precise number.The organisation tracks the movements of bears. It believes there are only five to 10 bears in the Baltic country but does not have a precise number.
The drama began on Saturday when the bear entered the capital. It was the first time in many years that a bear had entered the city and it became a national story. The animal came within about 2-3 miles (4-5km) of the city centre.The drama began on Saturday when the bear entered the capital. It was the first time in many years that a bear had entered the city and it became a national story. The animal came within about 2-3 miles (4-5km) of the city centre.
Since causing a stir with their permit to kill the bear, Lithuanian authorities have been on the defensive. The deputy environment minister, Ramūnas Krugelis, said that the kill permit had been issued purely as a precaution in case the bear posed a threat, according to a report by the Lithuanian broadcaster LRT.Since causing a stir with their permit to kill the bear, Lithuanian authorities have been on the defensive. The deputy environment minister, Ramūnas Krugelis, said that the kill permit had been issued purely as a precaution in case the bear posed a threat, according to a report by the Lithuanian broadcaster LRT.
The hunters proposed a more humane approach: sedation, tracking and relocation.The hunters proposed a more humane approach: sedation, tracking and relocation.
As the debate over the bear’s fate unfolded, she took matters into her own paws and wandered out of the city.As the debate over the bear’s fate unfolded, she took matters into her own paws and wandered out of the city.
Juknytė said the bear was recorded by camera on Wednesday, peacefully wandering through a forest about 40 miles from Vilnius while munching on corn.Juknytė said the bear was recorded by camera on Wednesday, peacefully wandering through a forest about 40 miles from Vilnius while munching on corn.
Brown bears are native to the region and were once common. They were wiped out in Lithuania in the 19th century as a result of hunting and habitat loss.Brown bears are native to the region and were once common. They were wiped out in Lithuania in the 19th century as a result of hunting and habitat loss.
In recent years, they have started reappearing in small numbers, typically wandering in from neighbouring countries such as Latvia and Belarus, where small bear populations still exist.In recent years, they have started reappearing in small numbers, typically wandering in from neighbouring countries such as Latvia and Belarus, where small bear populations still exist.
Bears are protected under Lithuanian and EU law as they are considered a rare and vulnerable species in the region.Bears are protected under Lithuanian and EU law as they are considered a rare and vulnerable species in the region.