Previously, bears in this part of the national park had been shy, and no similar incidents had been recorded here for decades. This time, the animal’s behavior surprised even local experts. The injured man, who knows the area well, was caught off guard by the attack right in the middle of his workout.
How the attack happened and the runner’s condition
The incident occurred on the Klyashtorska Trail (the yellow hiking route), specifically on the section between Klyashtorsk and Podlesk, approximately one kilometer above Podlesk. The man was running from Spišská Nová Ves toward Kľaštorysk when a wild animal suddenly leaped out at him from the bushes.
Upon contact with the animal, he sustained injuries to his arm and leg. Despite the terrifying experience, his injuries were not life-threatening—the runner was able to contact the Mountain Rescue Service and the necessary emergency units, and then sought medical attention at the hospital in Spišská Nová Ves, where he was examined.
Measures in the Area and the Local Government’s Response
The community of Hrabušice immediately responded to the emergency and issued a warning to the public. Community mayor Marcel Kacwiński confirmed that this is the first such incident in the region’s recent history, a fact corroborated by statistics—there has not been a similar encounter in Slovak Paradise for several decades.
A response team was immediately dispatched to the scene, where they surveyed the area in cooperation with the head of the local hunting association. The authorities took the following measures:
- the area around the incident was surveyed and monitored using a drone;
- official warnings for tourists were posted at the site;
- the police, the national park administration, and the Mountain Rescue Service were notified of the incident;
- regular patrols will be conducted in the area.
Although the region’s tourism industry fears the impact on visitor numbers, local authorities emphasize that public awareness is the top priority. Residents and visitors are urged to exercise extreme caution when out in nature, avoid traveling at dawn or dusk, and watch for possible signs of wild animals.
