Bear attacks man at Plitvice Lakes

LIKA, 7 September 2024 – A bear attacked a man at Plitvice Lakes in Croatia, leaving him with minor injuries.

The man was attacked by the bear on Friday evening, the Lika Online portal exclusively reports.

Sandra Ćubelić, the Director of Gospić General Hospital, confirmed that a patient with injuries considered to be minor had been admitted to the facility.

The Lika-Senj County Police Department also confirmed details of the attack.

The bear attacked the 64-year-old man in the village of Čujića Krčevina, within the Plitvice Lakes National Park, the report said.

The man who was attacked, Boško Ćuić, later revealed what happened. 

“I was walking towards the house, and suddenly, about 300 metres from the house, a bear ran out from behind a willow tree and started coming towards me. I shouted, but that didn’t confuse him at all. He pounced on me and knocked me to the ground,” Boško told Nova TV.

“When I raised my hand to defend myself, he bit my hand. Then he left, and I remained lying there, somehow managing to find my mobile phone and call my friends. They called the emergency services and the police, and that’s how I got help,” Boško added.

(Screenshot/Nova TV)

The incident occurred at around 10:30 p.m.

The Lika-Senj region of Croatia, where Plitvice Lakes are located, is known for its vast forests and rugged terrain, and is home to a significant population of brown bears.

While sightings are not uncommon, bear attacks on humans are extremely rare in this area.

Plitvice Lakes

Although bear attacks are rare, they can be potentially dangerous, so this man was fortunate.

Additionally, on Friday evening, the Gospić hospital also received patients who had sustained injuries following attacks by a dog and a hornet. Fortunately, they too only suffered minor injuries.