Slovenija u 2007. planira odstrel 106 smeđih medvjeda

Although a brown bear is an endangered animal species protected with regulations of Slovenia as well as European Union, a large number of bears are going to be killed; even mothers and their youngs – the country has no mercy. The country claims that bears cause damage, are dangerous to people and that therefore a certain number of bears must be killed. We believe there are other means of resolving all these problems. Numerous related measures are also included in the Strategy of brown bear population management, which the government of Slovenia accepted already in 2002. Bears that come to close to settlements can be chased away or taken back to the woods, a reimbursement system has been established to repair the damage, owners are also responsible to make sure that their property is protected and many other measures to improve the natural habitat of bears are envisaged. Some experiences have shown that instead of killing bears, educating people about the proper treatment of bears, coexistence with them and advising them where food waste should not be dumped can drastically reduce the number of conflicts between bears and people. If there are to many bears, as the country claims, castration and sterilization of a part of the population or contraception should be considered. But the truth is the country does not even know the exact number of bears in Slovenia, there is only an estimation of 500 to 700 bears. However, this estimation is not supported by the leading scientists in Slovenia, who believe that there are less bears. In addition, the country itself confessed that the balanced number of bears is not known and that the appropriate number of bears in Slovenia has not been defined yet. Any interfering with internationally protected animal species, which is endangered, is weakening the species and is therefore inadmissible. Furthermore, nature has its own mechanisms of ensuring natural balance therefore hunting and violence are not needed and are even harmful. We only have to give nature a chance. A good example are various national reserves, where no hunting takes place, and the canton of Geneva in Switzerland, where hunting was prohibited already in 1974 – and there are not any particular problems with natural (un)balance. Various findings and studies show that killing or increased killing of animals can increase the number of conflicts and births. Therefore there is a great possibility that planned killing of bears, which includes an even larger number than the last year, will only achieve a counter effect, which is even more conflicts, damage and maybe more bears. If that happens, local inhabitants can be even in greater danger than before. Even though the Minister of the Environment and Spatial Planning is bound by the Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia to ensure the preservation of the environment and natural habitats, he has decreed the killing of no less than 106 inhabitants of this country – for they are living beings and a part of our natural wealth. Is the killing of bears consistent with preserving this natural wealth – or is it about destroying it? Even though any incitement to violence is unconstitutional, the Minister of the Environment himself has decreed the killing of living creatures, which will inflict immeasurable violence upon nature. And even though torture of animals is expressly forbidden by the Slovene constitution, the animals to be killed will be victims of immense suffering. We ask you to join us in our protest against the imminent killing of bears. We suggest that you send a protest letter to the Minister of the Environment and Spatial Planning of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Podobnik, and to the President of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša, and call upon them not to allow the killing of bears. At the same time we suggest that you call upon them to do their best to realize the nonviolent means of achieving coexistence of human with the brown bear and protection of the brown bear. You can also write to other politicians in Slovenia, e.g. the President of the State, Janez Drnovšek, and suggest them to join the protest against the killing of bears. You can even write to Slovenian Bishops and to the Pope. The Society for the Rights and the Liberation of Animals Stanko Valpatič, President Animal Rights Ombudsman of the Society: Vlado Began Address your protest to: Janez Podobnik The Minister of the Environment and Spatial Planning Government of the Republic of Slovenia Dunajska c. 48, SI-1000 Ljubljana E-mail: janez.podobnik@gov.si, gp.mop@gov.si, janez.podobnik@sls.si Janez Janša President of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia Gregorčičeva 20, 25, SI-1000 Ljubljana E-mail: gp.kpv@gov.si, predsednik@sds.si Dr. Janez Drnovšek President of the Republic of Slovenia Erjavčeva 17, SI-1000 Ljubljana E-mail: gp.uprs@up-rs.si Below is a sample protest letter for mr. Janez Podobnik, Janez Janša and dr. Janez Drnovšek. Feel free to edit it. Your Excellency, I, the undersigned, protest against the killing of brown bears in Slovenia, planned to take place in 2007. There is no rhyme or reason in causing suffering to innocent living creatures and in violence towards nature. If it is true, as alleged, that there are too many bears in Slovenia, that is no reason for resorting to killing, as there are other, non-violent means of resolving the situation. Slovenia has provided for such means, witness its Strategy of brown bear population management. Furthermore, nature can be trusted to ensure natural balance on its own; there is no reason for man to interfere, as attested by numerous natural reserves where there is no hunting and also no imbalance. Human interfering with natural processes can bring about even greater imbalance – and even greater damage to all of us. Your Excellency, I appeal to you to do everything in your power to prevent the planned killing of bears – the killing of innocent living beings that have the same right to life as humans. Thank you for your kind attention. Sincerely, (Your name and address) www.osvoboditev-zivali.org/