How Many Bears Are There in Romania?
Romania is home to several thousand brown bears, the largest population in the European Union. For years the most quoted estimate was around 6,000 to 8,000 bears, and more recent studies commissioned by the Romanian authorities have produced higher figures. Exact numbers are hard to pin down, but there is no doubt that the Carpathians are Europe’s great bear country. The easiest way to see them is with the bear-watching tours we recommend.
Below we explain why there are so many bears, where they live and how they share the land with people.
Published:
Key facts
- Romania has the largest brown bear population in the EU, with estimates ranging from about 6,000–8,000 to higher figures in recent studies.
- Most bears live in the Carpathian Mountains, with high densities in Harghita, Covasna, Brașov and Mureș counties.
- Large forests, plenty of food and a long history of protection explain why there are so many.
- The brown bear is a strictly protected species in the EU, and Romania banned trophy hunting of bears in 2016.
- Bears increasingly appear near towns and villages; follow the instructions of the local authorities, such as RO-ALERT messages.
Romania’s Bears in Numbers
Counting a wild, forest-dwelling animal is difficult, and different methods give different results. These are the figures and facts most often cited:
| Topic | What we know |
|---|---|
| Population | Several thousand; estimates range from about 6,000–8,000 to higher figures in recent studies |
| In the EU | The largest brown bear population in the European Union |
| Where | The Carpathian Mountains, especially the Eastern Carpathians and the Brașov area |
| Diet | Mostly plants, berries, beech nuts and acorns, plus insects, carrion and small animals |
| Protection | Strictly protected under EU law; trophy hunting banned in Romania since 2016 |
Why Does Romania Have So Many Bears?
Several factors come together in Romania:
- Huge forests: a large part of the Carpathian Mountains lies in Romania, with extensive, connected forests where bears can roam.
- Plenty of food: beech nuts, acorns, berries and wild fruit, especially in late summer and autumn.
- Low density of people in the mountains, compared with much of Western Europe.
- A long history of protection: bears were protected for decades, and today they are a strictly protected species under EU law.
Tours to Experience the Bears’ Territory
An evening at a bear hide with a specialist guide, a guided hike in Piatra Craiului, home to bears, wolves and lynx, and a 4x4 nature tour through the Carpathian forests.
We may earn a commission when you book through our links, at no extra cost to you. Bookings are handled directly by Viator. How we work.
Viator
Wild Carpathian Nature: A Wildlife Experience from Brașov
A small-group experience focused on ethical brown bear watching with a guide in their natural habitat in the Carpathian forests, departing directly from Brașov.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
Viator
Private Hiking Trip to Piatra Craiului National Park from Brașov
A guided hike in Piatra Craiului National Park, one of the most spectacular limestone ridges of the Carpathians, departing from Brașov.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
Viator
4x4 Nature Tour in Dracula’s Land (1 Day)
A private one-day 4x4 adventure along mountain tracks and forests of Transylvania, departing from the Bucharest area (Otopeni).
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
A Bit of History
During the communist period, bear hunting was reserved for the country’s leadership, and bears were protected and even fed in some hunting areas. This helped the population grow while bear numbers fell in many other European countries.
In 2016 Romania banned trophy hunting of bears. Since then, the authorities have allowed the removal of a limited number of bears that cause problems near people, a topic that is regularly debated in the country.
Where Do Most Bears Live?
Bears live across almost the whole Carpathian arc, but densities are highest in the Eastern Carpathians (Harghita and Covasna counties) and around Brașov and Mureș. The forests near Brașov are where most bear-watching tours take place.
For the best areas and how to see bears with a guide, read our guide on where to see bears in Romania, and for the right season, the best time to see bears.
Bears and People
With so many bears, encounters near towns and villages have become more frequent, especially in mountain areas and on the edges of cities such as Brașov. The authorities send RO-ALERT messages to phones when bears are reported close to inhabited areas.
Bears are wild animals, and any encounter involves risk. Follow the instructions of the local authorities, never feed or approach a bear and keep food and rubbish out of reach. To see bears, always go with a specialist guide and follow their instructions at all times.
How Many Bears in Romania: FAQ
How many bears are there in Romania?
Several thousand. For years the most quoted estimate was around 6,000 to 8,000, and more recent studies have produced higher figures. It is the largest brown bear population in the EU.
Does Romania have the most bears in Europe?
It has the largest population in the European Union. Only Russia, outside the EU, has more brown bears in Europe.
Why are there so many bears in Romania?
Because of the large Carpathian forests, plenty of natural food, low human density in the mountains and decades of protection.
Where do most bears live in Romania?
In the Carpathian Mountains, especially Harghita, Covasna, Brașov and Mureș counties.
Is bear hunting allowed in Romania?
Trophy hunting of bears has been banned since 2016. The authorities allow the removal of a limited number of bears that cause problems near people.
What should I do if a bear is reported near where I am?
Follow the instructions of the local authorities, such as RO-ALERT messages, stay away from the area and never approach or feed the bear.
