Bear Attacks and Bites Cyclist in Slovakia

In Slovakia, a bear attacked a 55-year-old cyclist on a forest road near a recreation centre. The incident took place on Saturday evening, leaving the man with multiple bites and lacerations across his body, according to broadcaster TA3.

The animal dragged the man off his bicycle and inflicted several injuries on him, said Petra Klimešová, spokesperson for the emergency medical services' operations centre, in comments to the TASR news agency. The injured man managed to reach the nearest cottages, from where medics were called.

Hospitalisation and the Search for the Bear

Paramedics took the man to a hospital in Martin, where he was admitted to the orthopaedic ward with numerous bites and lacerations. Police and an emergency team from the Veľká Fatra National Park went to the scene, but were unable to locate the bear responsible for the attack.

According to the broadcaster, the attack occurred on a private, barrier-gated forest road that is off-limits to cyclists. Forester Vladimír Štancel said bears are regularly spotted in the area.

Bear Culling Statistics

Since the beginning of 2026, 28 brown bears have been shot across Slovakia. Throughout 2025, 213 animals were culled this way. Despite the large-scale culling, attacks by predators on humans continue.

Read also: 9 Best Cycling Routes Around Prague: From the Vltava Embankments to Karlštejn Castle

Source: novinky.cz