Brown bear populations in Europe are recovering after historical persecution but face ongoing welfare challenges from legal hunting, human conflict, and vehicle strikes.
Bears injured in vehicle collisions suffer acute trauma and often die without veterinary care in remote road areas. Legally hunted bears may be wounded and suffer before death or escape with injuries. Illegally poisoned bears, particularly those raiding apiaries, face prolonged suffering. Cubs orphaned by lethal control of mothers face very low survival rates and require intensive rehabilitation. Human food conditioning creating conflict in tourist areas leads to stressed bears that are ultimately euthanised.