Bear causes excitement in Ostallgäu: Is he really on the way?

Bear causes excitement in Ostallgäu: Is he really on the way?

In the Ostallgäu region, the sighting of a bear causes excitement. This news came to light on Thursday evening when the Bavarian State Office for the Environment (LfU) informed the public. According to reports from Bundeswehr soldiers, the animal was seen in the southeastern district on the night of Wednesday to Thursday. Investigations are now underway northeast of Lake Forggensee to find possible traces of the animal.

The LfU is keeping a low profile regarding the bear's exact location. A spokesman explained that bears can travel dozens of kilometers in a day, so precise information about their sightings is not provided in order not to attract curious people. The southeastern part of the county attracts large numbers of tourists, which complicates the situation, especially at a time when many people are enjoying nature.

Where was the bear spotted?

Bisher gibt es noch keine neuen Informationen über die Suche. Nevertheless, it became clear that the sighting did not take place near Neuschwanstein Castle or in a busy town center. The popular hiking resort of Buchenberg can also be excluded. Instead, the LfU is concentrating on looking northeast of Lake Forggensee for possible traces such as droppings or footsteps.

Jörg Pauly, the chairman of the Bavarian Hunting Association in Füssen, is skeptical. He can hardly imagine that a bear would venture into this heavily frequented region. The shyness of bears and the high number of recreational athletes, hunters and mushroom hunters in the forests of the Ostallgäu could be a hindrance. To date there has been no evidence of bear attacks or damage that would indicate the presence of a bear. This has led to a growing debate in the region.

Official statements and measures

The district administrator of Ostallgäu, Maria Rita Zinnecker, said clearly: “The bear has no place with us.” In their opinion, the region is comparatively densely populated and does not offer the space that bears need to settle permanently. She hopes that this situation does not change. However, if the bear establishes itself in the northern Alpine region, regulations will be necessary. Since the Oberallgäu district administrator Indra Baier-Müller also expressed concerns, she called for an armed bear police in order to be able to act quickly in the event of attacks.

The situation remains tense, and even if many details are missing so far, those responsible in the region share a clear message: A bear in Ostallgäu is an issue that requires prevention and concrete measures. Concern for the safety of the population and for wildlife must be reconciled. This discussion is sure to grow in tension as the search for the alleged bear continues. Further details on this topic can be found in a recent report on www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de.