As bear numbers surge, the carnivores are increasingly coming into conflict with humans. Can the species coexist?
This episode goes behind the scenes of Bears Uncovered, a cross-border investigation exposing the surging brown bear populations in Europe and their complex relationship with humans.
With insights from investigative journalists Michael Bird and Ovidiu Stancu, learn about shifting bear management practices across 26 European countries, the ethical quandaries of culling versus conservation, and the real-world impacts of human encroachment and climate change on these majestic animals.
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“I think it’s a test of humans,” Bird said. “It’s a test of how we can learn to coexist with such a large predator. Do we coexist with them or do we slaughter them? That’s our choice.
“And if we choose to coexist with them, we have to find a way to do it because in some ways they’re the animals closest to us. They stand on two legs. They have hands that look like us. If you look at a bear, a skeleton or a body, it’s very humanistic. They eat exactly the same food. They are very close to us in many ways.
“So it is a test of our ability to live with nature as to whether or not we can coexist with bears.”
Featuring alarming reportage and expert discussions, this episode is a must for anyone interested in wildlife conservation and investigative journalism – or anyone who likes hiking in Europe!
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Credits
Hosts:
- Timothy Large, director of independent media programmes at the International Press Institute (IPI)
- Milica Miletić, project and events coordinator at IPI
Guests:
- Michael Bird
- Ovidiu Dunel-Stancu
Production and editing: Timothy Large
Graphic: Milica Miletić