We all already know that the brown bear inhabits the wider area of the urban core of the city of Banja Luka. Encounters with a bear on the outskirts of the city of Banja Luka are not rare, nor are the signs of the bear’s presence observed. Also, the damage caused by the bear to farmers in the Banja Luka municipality is among the most numerous. All this is to be expected if we know that the slopes of Čemernica and Manjača are typical and permanent habitats of the brown bear, and Banjaluka is a city that developed in a valley surrounded by these wonderful forest areas.
At the same time, a very important segment of the Banja Luka landscape is made up of the forest-covered hills of Starčevica, Trapisti and Šibovi. This high-value green belt of the city’s green base was separated from regular forest management several years ago and declared a special purpose forest. In truth, the people of Banja Luka are very happy to use these spaces as a place for sports, recreation, and vacation. This area is managed by the Banja Luka Forestry.
Three years ago, the Center for Environment launched an initiative to protect this green oasis in accordance with the Nature Protection Act, with the desire for Banjaluka to be a city that has a valuable and very significant protected area of nature. In addition to the importance for recreation and rest, these forests are of immense importance for preserving and improving the healthy environment of the city, influencing more favorable microclimatic conditions, providing healthy water flows and therefore drinking water, absorbing large amounts of CO2, and giving off oxygen.
They are places of very rich biodiversity, so we can proudly say that one of the inhabitants of our forests is the brown bear.
Nevertheless, the bear is a one of a large carnivore species – a powerful animal towards which we should cultivate respect and caution. That’s why we thought it necessary to put up educational boards that would inform the visitors of these forests additionally about the bear, but also about the desirable behavior of humans in nature, and in order to minimize undesirable situations in the meeting between humans and bears.
Bear attacks on humans are extremely rare (we will admit that the reverse is not such a favorable situation). If an encounter with a bear does occur, most often everyone wants to cautiously go their own path, both bear and human. If a bear stands on its hind legs, it generally does not threaten, but position for better sight. There are many interesting details that are useful to know.
Read more on the boards that we put up in cooperation with JPŠ “Šume Republike Srpske” – Banja Luka, LU “Zmijanje” Banja Luka at the beginning of September 2024. You can find the first sign across the so-called „Medina cave“. And the second board is located on Trešnjik, at the very entrance to one of the numerous forest trails. Take a walk, enjoy nature, learn something new and behave in nature in accordance with recommendations.
