Public Debate on Coexisting with Bears and Wildlife in Romania

As bears emerge from hibernation and begin moving closer to communities in search of food, the conversation around human-wildlife coexistence becomes increasingly important. On Thursday, April 2, starting at 18:00, DataDiggers will join Jurnalism Cetățenesc and Himalaya for a public debate dedicated to coexistence with bears and other wild species in Romania.

The event will take place at the Himalaya store in the Cocor area of Bucharest (Unirii) and will bring together researchers, journalists, and members of the public for an open discussion grounded in science, legislation, and real-world experience.

The debate will feature:

• George Epurescu, scientific researcher and expert in wildlife legislation
• Larisa Ghițulescu, Jurnalism Cetățenesc
• Liviu Micu and the DataDiggers team

Together, the speakers will explore how human-wildlife conflict has evolved in Romania, what solutions have been proposed or implemented so far, and which approaches have the strongest long-term impact for both people and ecosystems.

The discussion will also focus on practical and educational topics, including:

• How to behave responsibly in wildlife habitats
• What to do during an unexpected encounter with a bear
• Why conflict risk increases during springtime
• How legislation aligns — or fails to align — with scientific best practices

As part of the conversation, the organizers will also present findings from two nationally representative studies conducted by DataDiggers together with Jurnalism Cetățenesc on Romanians’ perceptions of bears and wolves. The research revealed that nearly nine out of ten Romanians recognize the importance of wildlife for the ecosystem and support protecting natural habitats rather than relying on extreme measures such as animal shootings.

The event aims to create a more balanced and informed public dialogue around a subject that is often shaped by fear, emotion, or isolated media narratives.

Participation is free, but attendees are encouraged to complete the registration form in advance for logistical purposes:
https://forms.gle/nKiYaH85asHPBk5WA

Whether you are a hiker, nature enthusiast, researcher, journalist, or simply interested in the relationship between people and wildlife, this discussion offers an opportunity to ask questions, exchange perspectives, and better understand one of Romania’s most sensitive environmental topics.