The Minister explained that besides the danger they pose to tourists, these bears have changed their behavior, and "begging by the road" has become their main source of food, so they cannot be relocated into the natural environment.

Minister of Environment, Mircea Fechet, participated on June 28 in a working meeting on the Transfăgărășan Highway regarding the bears in the area, alongside the prefect of Argeș County, Dragoș Predescu, and representatives of institutions involved: Argeș Gendarmerie, Forest Guard, Forest Directorate, Arefu Municipality and the hunting fund manager.

According to the Argeș Prefecture, following the meeting, the decision was made to move the bears to the sanctuary in Zărnești.

"The problem with these bears has been dragging on for far too long; several accidents have already occurred, and unfortunately, if we do not intervene promptly, we are on the verge of a real tragedy. One thing is certain: we can no longer continue like this. The situation here poses an imminent danger to tourists who choose to ignore the law and authorities' recommendations and stop on the roadside to photograph or feed the bear specimens. At the same time, it causes major harm to the species. Experts have informed me that these bears have fundamentally changed their behavior in recent years, with begging by the roadside becoming their main source of food. Unfortunately, relocating the bears from the Transfăgărășan Highway to another area is not an effective solution. We have tried this method in the past, but the bears in question continued to exhibit the same behavior, regardless of where they were relocated. The identified solution is to relocate them to a dedicated sanctuary, where they can be properly monitored and cared for", said Mircea Fechet, Minister of Environment, according to News.ro.

He mentioned that he will go to Brașov County to discuss with representatives of the Zărnești Sanctuary.

"The bears on the Transfăgărășan Highway will be relocated. All individuals currently venturing onto the road will be taken to a location where they can be cared for". A working meeting was held directly on the Transfăgărășan Highway, led by Minister of Environment, Mircea Fechet. Representatives of all involved institutions participated, and procedures have already been initiated, with the Ministry issuing the necessary approvals. Minister Mircea Fechet's openness is commendable; the discussion was applied in terms of legal framework and financing. The relocation will be financed from the state budget in such a way as not to burden the local authority - Arefu Municipality. I believe this will eliminate the danger for all those who visit the area. Of course, it seemed nice for everyone to post pictures with the bears from the Transfăgărășan Highway, but the reality is that it's not good for either people or bears. The bear's place is in its habitat, not on the side of the road", said Dragoș Predescu, prefect of Argeș County.