Slovenia to cull 70 bears this year

Yahoo News 10 Apr 09;

LJUBLJANA (AFP) – Slovenian authorities Friday said they will cull 70 brown bears and 10 wolves this year to maintain a balanced wildlife population, but the hunting quota was markedly less than in the past.

"The current population of both species in Slovenia is rather favourable. They have enough living space and appropriate living conditions without any natural enemies," Environment Minister Karl Erjavec said.

Slovenia's bear population is thought to be about 430 while the number of wolves is estimated at between 70 and 100, according to the environment ministry.

In recent years, the Slovenian government had authorised the culling of around 100 bears annually, provoking strong protests from domestic and international wildlife groups who said the quota was excessive.