Brown bears are recovering across parts of Europe, with welfare challenges from human conflict, road mortality and lethal management in conflict situations.
Bears killed in lethal control operations may be shot by inexperienced operators, causing wounding and prolonged death. Road mortality causes immediate traumatic death or severe injury. Bears that become food-conditioned through access to rubbish or unsecured livestock lose natural wariness and are typically killed as problem animals. Food security measures — bear-proof bins, electric fencing for livestock and apiaries — prevent food conditioning and are the most welfare-effective preventive interventions.