Bears are a natural part of the Poloniny National Park ecosystem, but they can pose a risk to local beekeepers, often targeting hives as an easy food source. To help prevent conflicts, Aevis once again supported local beekeepers this year with practical preventive measures.

As part of the international project COOP4SAFE, four beekeepers from the Poloniny region received material support in 2026 worth nearly 6 000 EUR, including one protective cage for beehives and three electric fences which are one of the most effective measures against bear-related damage. The solutions were selected based on individual assessments of each location and beekeeper’s needs.

“As part of the project, I received a protective cage for 14 hives, which I consider a practical and effective solution. I see these preventive measures very positively, as they give us greater confidence in our work and allow us to think about further development. I believe they can protect the bees while also helping me continue beekeeping in this region,” says a beekeeper from the Poloniny region.

The importance of prevention was demonstrated this April, when a bear in one village in the region destroyed several unprotected hives while leaving the protected ones untouched. Electric fences and protective cages are among the most effective prevention methods recommended by experts, long used in countries such as Slovakia, Romania, Slovenia, and Poland, and significantly reduce damage to bee colonies and livestock when properly installed.