Fact Check: Lithuanian hunters refuse to kill a protected bear despite government order
What We Know
In June 2025, a young female brown bear wandered into the suburbs of Vilnius, Lithuania, causing a significant public stir as it roamed through neighborhoods and highways for two days. In response to concerns about public safety, the Lithuanian government issued a permit allowing the bear to be shot. However, this decision was met with strong opposition from local hunters. The Lithuanian Association of Hunters and Fishermen expressed shock at the government's order, emphasizing the bear's non-aggressive behavior and its status as a protected species. According to the association, there are only about five to ten brown bears remaining in Lithuania, making the species particularly vulnerable (AP News, CTV News).
The hunters proposed a more humane alternative, suggesting that the bear be sedated and relocated instead of killed. Ultimately, the bear left the city on its own and was later spotted peacefully foraging in a forest (UNN, ABC News).
Analysis
The claim that Lithuanian hunters refused to kill a protected bear despite a government order is supported by multiple credible sources. The Associated Press reported that the hunters were aware of the bear's protected status and expressed their disapproval of the government's directive, highlighting the bear's non-aggressive nature (AP News). Furthermore, the Lithuanian Association of Hunters and Fishermen's administrator, RamutΔ JuknytΔ, stated that the bear did not deserve to be shot, reinforcing the hunters' position (CTV News).
The reliability of these sources is strong, as they are well-established news organizations with a history of accurate reporting. The AP and CTV News are recognized for their journalistic integrity, and the information provided aligns with the broader context of wildlife protection laws in Lithuania and the EU, which classify brown bears as a vulnerable species (ABC News).
Contradictory sources are absent in this case, as the narrative consistently reflects the hunters' refusal to comply with the government's order based on ethical considerations and the bear's protected status.
Conclusion
The verdict is True. Lithuanian hunters did indeed refuse to kill a protected bear despite a government order, citing the bear's non-aggressive behavior and the species' vulnerable status. The hunters' actions reflect a commitment to wildlife conservation and ethical treatment of animals, aligning with the legal protections afforded to brown bears in Lithuania.
