Eryk the bear dies in Tatras
PR dla Zagranicy
John Beauchamp
04.06.2015 12:11
A bear thought to be as old as 28 has died in the Tatra National Park (TPN) after being found paralysed on a tourist hiking trail in the Jaworzynka Valley.
Photo courtesy: Facebook/Józef Bobak/TPN
After inspecting the bear, park rangers managed to discern the animal’s identity thanks to a microchip.
TPN director Szymon Ziobrowski said that Eryk had to be put down after being found paralysed, with trail guide Zdzisław Chmiel, who initially came across the bear, explaining that it “was lying and could only move his neck and paws but could not get up”.
The TPN also announced the sad fate of the bear on Facebook.
“I’ve been a guide for many years and I’ve never seen a bear in such a state,” added Chmiel.
“We are going to investigate the cause of the [bear’s] affliction,” Ziobrowski said. The remains of the bear have since been transported to Wrocław for further inspection.
Eryk was caught by park rangers in May 2014, with a tooth analysis pointing to the bear’s date of birth as sometime between 1987 and 1990.
Adult brown bears can weigh up to 300 kg and are under strict protection in Poland. Most of the country’s bears live in the south-eastern Bieszczady region.
Data gathered by the TPN reveals that 45 brown bears live in the entire Tatra Mountain range, with 15 living in Poland permanently, with 16 seasonally crossing between the Polish and Slovak border. (jb)
Source: TVP Info