Unwelcome visitors
Until recently, getting a glimpse of a European brown bear (Ursus arctos arctos) would mean venturing deep into Slovakia's mountainous forests.
But now close encounters with these animals increasingly are happening much closer to home.
After these animals were hunted almost to extinction in the 1930s, the bears have made a big comeback. However, the boost in numbers has meant that some curious bears have started to take an interest in village life.
This camera-trap photo reveals a problem bear's love of convenience foodPavol Majko, director of the High Tatras National Park - a stronghold for brown bears - says: "The majority of bears in this area stay in the mountains, but a small number have lost their fear of humans.
"They are coming to the villages, attracted by waste in unsecured bins."
But for the people living in this area, these new visitors are not welcome.
Jan Mokos, Mayor of the High Tatras village, explains: "The people are scared and they're coming here to complain almost every day. But it's not only the people who live here - it's tourists, too."
He proposes drastic action.[1]
1. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-13439360
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