Mushroom picking season is in full swing on Pohorje, but Slovenia’s Forest Service is urging visitors to take extra care as bears and wolves are currently present in the area. The animals generally avoid people, but encounters can happen, particularly when visitors move through dense vegetation or unexpectedly enter an animal’s habitat. Forest officials are encouraging mushroom pickers and other visitors to behave responsibly, remain aware of their surroundings and follow established rules for spending time in the forest. They also reminded visitors that the forest is a shared environment that should be treated with respect, including by avoiding disturbance to wildlife, protecting plants, taking all waste home and using vehicles only where permitted.
Bears are currently appearing occasionally in different parts of Pohorje, with younger animals reportedly being among those most likely to be encountered. Wildlife cameras have recorded bears several times this year, including in the Ribniško Pohorje area in July and more recently near Klopni Vrh. According to the Forest Service, encounters most often happen when a bear is suddenly surprised in its natural environment. Visitors are therefore advised to remain particularly alert when walking through thick vegetation or darker sections of the forest. Making some noise, such as whistling or tapping a stone with a stick, can help alert animals to a person’s presence. However, officials say there is no need to shout loudly.
Wolves have also returned to Pohorje and have successfully established themselves across the large forested area. Igor Kopše, head of the Maribor regional unit of the Slovenian Forest Service, said current information suggests that between 11 and 14 wolves are now living in the area. While there are no known cases of wolves attacking people in Slovenia, visitors are still advised to remain cautious. If someone encounters a bear or wolf, the recommendation is to stay calm, speak in a composed voice and slowly move away in the direction from which they came. Visitors should never deliberately approach wildlife, while attempts to run away or climb a tree should also be avoided when dealing with a bear, as bears are capable runners and climbers.
The Forest Service is also reminding visitors about the rules governing the collection of forest products. One person is allowed to collect up to two kilograms of mushrooms per day for personal use, along with the permitted quantities of other forest products such as moss and wild berries or chestnuts. Officials warn that collecting significantly more than the permitted amount, especially during periods of heavy mushroom picking, can put additional pressure on the forest ecosystem. Dogs should also be kept on a leash while walking in the woods, as loose dogs can provoke bears and potentially cause them to run back toward their owners. The message from Slovenian forestry officials is clear: visitors can enjoy Pohorje’s forests, but they should do so responsibly, give wildlife plenty of space and respect the natural environment.
