The new environment minister, Mircea Fecet, does not rule out fining Romanians who throw food or stones at the bears and says any “human interaction” should be avoided.

“I always convey this message to the population. Do not throw food or other objects at the bear. The bear should be left where it belongs. Probably, they can be fined (those who throw – not), but the question is what happens after such an interaction between a person and a bear and whether they will both remain alive,” said the minister, who was on a visit to Alba.

He noted that any interaction should be avoided, “whether bear to people or man to bear.”

At the same time, Mircea Fecet said that no bear was shot based on the order on prevention and intervention quotas for the bear population, signed on the last day of the mandate of Barna Tanchos, noting that the response of the Romanian Academy to the request for an opinion formulated in the case.

“No bears have been shot under this order because the prevention and intervention quota order for the bear population is an early stage order. It has been sent to the Romanian Academy for approval, and depending on whether the Romanian Academy approves this ministerial project, together with the biodiversity specialists and together with the representatives of the UATs, with whom I consult every time, I will make a decision. Currently, I am waiting for the opinion of the Romanian Academy,” said Minister Mircea Fechet.