Тhe fist bear in Bulgaria fit with GPS-GSM collar, was illegally killed by a poacher in Central Balkan National park, in the strict reserve Sokolna at the end of July 2008. The four years old female bear called Chara (comes from charming) was caught and fit with the collar 22 September 2007. The national park is Second IUCN category in which hunting and carrying of guns is prohibited. In the reserve Sokolna – first IUCN category only walking on marked trails is allowed. Central Balkan NP Directorate has referred to the prosecutor for the crime investigation. According to Bulgarian Penal Code (art. 278 chapter 4) “Who catches, destroys or trades with…. vertebrate protected species included in Annex 3 of biodiversity act …shell be punished by imprisoned of up to five years, as well as by a fine of one thousand to five thousand levs and compensation of the caused damages. Brown bear and Balkan chamois are included in this Annex 3. Even though the poaching in the National parks of Bulgaria has decreased in the last year, illegal hunting is still considerable problem which requires adequate measures and sufficient funds to be dealt with. Especially vulnerable are species with high conservation status (Annex IV of Directive 92/43 EEC) and of interest for hunters such as Brown bear and Balkan chamois.
Friday, 11 February 2011 00:00 | 
