Bear Kills U.S. Tourist in Romania

Filed in archive Outdoor News on June 24, 2007

It seems bear attacks are on the rise. A few days ago, I wrote posts about a man who killed a bear and an Utah campground that was closed due to a bear. Today, a U.S. tourist was killed by a bear in the Romanian Carpathian Mountains.

The bear attacked a 26-year-old woman. After she fell down and tourists threw stones at the bear, it turned its attention to a man, biting him on the leg. The bear then mauled to death the 31-year-old woman, despite more attempts to distract it by throwing stones.

Officials did not immediately disclose the victims' identities or hometowns.

The 31-year-old died from her injuries shortly after the arrival of rescuers, state news agency Rompres reported, citing local police officials.

The bear had earlier bitten a Romanian tourist on the shoulder and attacked sheep, Andi Mihai, one of the members of the rescue team, told Realitatea TV news.

Authorities are searching for the bear to euthanize it.

Romania is home to about half of Europe's brown bear population, but attacks on humans are rare. Three years ago, two men died after they were attacked by a rabid bear.

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