Tragic Bear Encounter Claims Life of Woman in Polish Forest

Fri Apr 24 2026 05:03:01 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A woman lost her life in a tragic bear encounter while searching for antlers in a remote mountain area in Poland. Local authorities issue warnings about the bear presence in the region.

A 58-year-old woman has been killed by a bear in Poland's Bieszczady region while out foraging for antlers with her son. The incident highlights the dangers posed by wildlife as bears emerge from hibernation, leading to unexpected human encounters. Local authorities have cautioned residents to avoid forested areas after this rare and tragic event.

A 58-year-old woman has been killed by a bear in a remote mountainous area in Poland, according to her son and the local government.

The incident took place when the woman and her 27-year-old son were walking separately in a forest near the town of Płonna in the south-eastern Bieszczady region.

A firefighter at the scene told news channel TVN24 that, according to the woman's son, he was on the phone with her when he heard her scream, 'Bear, bear!' and the call abruptly ended. The son raised the alert, but emergency services arrived too late to save her.

Eyewitness accounts from the scene described the woman as having suffered 'lacerated and extensive' head injuries.

In light of the fatal incident, the Bukowsko Commune has advised local residents to refrain from entering nearby forest areas via social media announcements.

Poland is home to approximately 100 brown bears, primarily found in Bieszczady. Fatal encounters between humans and bears are exceptionally uncommon, with the last recorded deadly attack occurring in 2014.

Emergency services received the distressing call from the son around 10:30 local time. However, difficult terrain and poor mobile reception delayed the arrival of firefighting crews and police.

Local police officer Sgt Anna Oleniacz revealed that while the woman was attacked, her son had briefly stepped away and was not present during the initial encounter. Upon returning, he discovered her injuries and immediately called for help.

The victim’s second son described the harrowing circumstances, indicating that she might have unintentionally startled the bear. 'When a bear lies down, it resembles a mound of earth, and once it strikes, there's no escape,' he noted.

A prosecutor and a doctor inspected the scene following the attack. Izabela Jurkowska-Hanus, the district prosecutor for Sanok, confirmed there were no additional circumstances surrounding the occurrence that would suggest a different cause of death beyond the reported attack.

Reports indicate the mother and son were foraging for antlers during the seasonal shedding period, a time when bears, having recently awakened from their winter slumber, come closer to human habitats in search of food.

Wojciech Jankowski, spokesperson for the Lesko Forest District, addressed the incident, asserting that such sudden encounters are rare and unexpected for both humans and bears.