Mysterious bear sighting near Rosenheim: truth or deception?

Mysterious bear sighting near Rosenheim: truth or deception?

Last week, residents in the Rosenheim area were surprised by a possible bear sighting. On Saturday, July 5th, three Wasserburgers observed a large figure on the road between Prutting and Söchtenau around 11:45 p.m., which was initially thought to be a deer or a rabbit. However, the driver Thomas V. was quickly convinced that he was dealing with a bear. A passenger confirmed his assessment and described the animal as medium brown with a short, tail-like stub. The bear is said to have been about one meter high and at least 1.50 meters wide, reports Mercury.

The localities react differently to this sighting. A local hunter expressed his doubts, noting the lack of suspected tracks or trail camera footage. He suspected that the Wasserburgers might have seen a large German Shepherd. In addition, a riding trainer reported that her horses remained completely calm in the days before the sighting, which could speak against the presence of a predator. The Rosenheim hunters' association and a spokesman for the state of Tyrol also confirmed that there is currently no reliable evidence of bears in the region. The last confirmed evidence of a bear in Bavaria comes from 2023 in Oberallgäu.

The starting situation for bears in Bavaria

Since the problem bear Bruno became known, there have been hardly any sightings in Bavaria for a long time. In recent months, however, bears have been increasingly spotted in Upper Bavaria and the Allgäu, although it remains unclear whether it is one or several animals. Uwe Friedel, a species protection expert at the Federal Nature Conservation Association in Bavaria, believes that these are migratory male bears that roam widely in search of females. These bears are known to travel for several months or even years, like the Augsburger Allgemeine informed.

In recent months, some sightings and evidence have been documented, including through wildlife cameras. On May 22nd, a bear was photographed in the Hintersteiner Valley, while another was spotted on May 15th in the border area between Salzburg and Bavaria. Another specimen was recorded on May 8th in the western Berchtesgadener Land district. In order to minimize the risk for livestock farmers, the Bavarian State Office for the Environment recommends herd protection measures.

What does the future hold?

Although Bavaria has a bear population in Trentino, which is around 120 kilometers away, a permanent settlement in Bavaria is currently not expected. Adolescent male bears often wander in search of their own territory and may occasionally undertake graceful excursions into Bavarian territory. The authority appeals to tourists and nature lovers to be careful not to leave any leftover food or rubbish behind during their stay in nature in order not to attract animals unnecessarily. For the safety of everyone and to protect wild animals, clear rules of conduct and a management plan apply, according to the State Office for the Environment in a statement LFU refers.

Overall, the bear sighting in Rosenheim remains an exciting topic that arouses both concern and curiosity. While some remain skeptical, others hope for the return of these fascinating animals to Bavarian nature.