Bear euthanized after posing danger to residents in Parkano, Finland

A bear that posed a danger to residents was euthanized in Parkano on Monday morning. The police from Central Finland ordered the bear to be put down after it repeatedly frequented residential areas, and attempts to drive it away were unsuccessful. A decision to remove the bear was made in late May following multiple reports to emergency services about its presence in populated areas.

The bear had been seen coming onto properties and showed no fear of humans. It even rummaged through a waste station, opening garbage bins, and was undeterred by loud noises from vehicles. Efforts by wildlife management associations to drive the bear away during May and June were unsuccessful as it kept returning to these areas, causing growing concern among local residents, who were forced to stay indoors while the bear wandered around.

On July 17, the police made the decision to euthanize the bear, stating it had lost its natural fear of humans, thus posing a threat to the safety of the local community. The police consulted experts from the Natural Resources Institute Finland before finalizing their decision.

The bear was shot approximately 600 meters from the recycling point where it had been scavenging. The police will send the bear’s remains to the food authority in Oulu for further examination by wildlife researchers. Under the law, authorities are permitted to capture and, if necessary, euthanize animals that pose a threat to human life and health, cause significant property damage, or seriously endanger traffic.