Authorities issue removal permit for roaming bear in Juvalla, Finland

Authorities have issued a permit to remove a bear that has been roaming around residential properties in Juvalla, Finland. According to Kari Hänninen, chairman of the Juvan Game Management Association, the bear has been knocking over trash cans and damaging a beehive in Siikaniemi. Many locals are concerned about the bear’s presence, questioning the safety of walking their dogs outdoors. Hänninen warned that the bear poses a potential safety threat, particularly since it has been spotted on private properties during early morning and evening hours, increasing the chances of encounters between humans and the bear.

If a bear perceives a trash can as its territory, it may attempt to intimidate people. Close encounters with such a large predator always carry risk, Hänninen added.

Efforts to scare the bear away typically involve shouting from inside homes, banging pot lids, or firing guns into the air. However, harming the bear is not permitted, stated Olli Kursula, game manager for the Central Finland area. A removal permit can only be requested after repeated bear visits to a property, which then necessitates the involvement of hunters by local police or wildlife services.

Currently, gas-powered devices that fire projectiles are being used to deter the bear, and movement is monitored through game cameras set up near trash cans. Hänninen expressed skepticism that the bear would merely relocate to other properties.

The last resort for managing the situation is obtaining a permit to kill the bear, which requires evidence of significant damage or threats to people from previous encounters. Police issue these permits in urban areas, while wildlife services handle them in rural regions. The number of permits granted each year is limited and difficult to obtain, according to Kursula.

Hänninen noted that this autumn has seen an unusual increase in bear activity in residential areas across several locations, suggesting that such encounters may become more common due to reduced natural food sources, which were affected by a poor harvest this year.