Scottish Woman Attacked by a Brown Bear in Romania
On Monday a Scottish woman attacked by a brown bear in Romania will make a full recovery. The 72-year-old woman, Moira Gallacher, was traveling with her companion Charmian Widdowson, when they spotted a mama bear and her cub. The women were in the Carpathian Mountains driving on the road when they spotted the bears and decided to take selfies.
According to Gallacher, her friend was able to take a photo of the brown bear because it was by her window. “What happened was the bear came up to the window at my friend’s side, and no problem. It let us take a picture and went away.” She didn’t get a good photo and asked her friend to drive back around so the bear would be on her side of the window. This is where things went horribly wrong.
Gallacher told her friend that they should get something to eat to which Widdowson replied, “No, you are not allowed to give food [to a bear]. Absolutely nothing, nothing, nothing.” The two women believe the bear heard this and decide to “eat her friend instead.”
The bear reached over and grabbed Gallacher on her right arm. The bear took chunks of her jacket instead. Widdowson said, “She was wearing a thick Marks & Spencer jacket and the poor bear got more jacket than arm.” Gallacher said she was wearing the puffy jacket and two tops which saved her from a horrible bear attack. She goes on to say, “I’ve been very, very lucky.” The Scottish tourist attacked by a brown bear will make a full recovery and was released on Wednesday from the hospital.
Brown Bear Population in Romania
There are an estimated 6,000 brown bears in Romania’s Carpathian Mountains. This is the largest bear population in Europe, aside from Russia. Increase in bear attacks rose last year, due to tourists feeding the bears. In five years alone there were over 140 bear attacks, 14 of which were fatal.
Brown bears hibernate during winter and emerge from their dens by March and April. Mama bears are known to be more aggressive when they feel like their cubs are in danger. If you see a brown bear or a black bear family, do not assume you can be friends with them and take selfies. Respect nature and let the wild be wild.
