Tourist dragged into a ravine and killed by bear in Romania
Share and Follow

A motorcyclist was mauled to death by a bear in Romania on Thursday after posing for a selfie with its cub. 

Italian tourist Omar Farang Zin, 49, was riding on his motorbike along the Carpathian Mountains in the central region of Arges when a vicious bear attacked him and dragged his body down a ravine. 

Police and emergency services said in a joint statement that tourists had alerted them to yesterday’s attack, and after an hour of searching for him, they found Omar’s lifeless body.

Just a day before the tragic incident, the motorcyclist had posted a series of pictures on Facebook of a large bear which appears to be stood extremely close to Omar. 

He also shared a selfie posing with a bear cub, in which he can be seen smiling, blissfully unaware of his tragic fate.

A separate video taken by Omar shows him riding his motorcycle as he drives past a bear perched on the side of the road.

‘Here’s the bear!’, he can be heard saying. ‘How beautiful. It’s coming towards me’. 

Romanian authorities later confirmed that the bear had been put down. 

Italian motorcyclist Omar Farang Zin was mauled to death by a bear in Romania on Thursday after posing for a selfie with its cub

Italian motorcyclist Omar Farang Zin was mauled to death by a bear in Romania on Thursday after posing for a selfie with its cub

Just a day before the tragic incident, the motorcyclist had posted pictures of a bear, which appeared to be stood dangerously close to him

Just a day before the tragic incident, the motorcyclist had posted pictures of a bear, which appeared to be stood dangerously close to him 

Omar, a travel-enthusiast, had been working for Milan Malpensa airport just before his death, according to Italian media. 

Dozens of friends have taken to Facebook to pay tribute to him. 

‘Goodbye Omar, I will always remember you with a smile’, one friend wrote. 

Another said: ‘Omar was a great man, he didn’t have to go this way’. 

One pal described Omar as ‘everyone’s friend because everyone loved you’. 

The tourist’s horrific death is the latest bear-related fatality in Romania.

Last year, a teenage girl was killed in a violent bear attack after the enraged animal dragged her away and dropped her 330ft down a cliff while she went hiking with her boyfriend. 

The 19-year-old was hiking in the Bucegi mountains in central Romania last July when she was savaged by the bear in front of her horrified partner. 

Omar was described by Italian media as an adventurous travel enthusiast

Omar was described by Italian media as an adventurous travel enthusiast

According to her boyfriend, the bear first grabbed the teen’s leg and hauled her off the path before throwing her down the cliff. 

When rescuers arrived on the scene, they found the snarling beast circling her body.

Romania has a brown bear population of 10,000 to 13,000, preliminary results of a multi-year DNA study showed this year, and authorities are struggling to keep residents and tourists in mountain towns safe.

Almost 30 people have been killed by bears in Romania over the last two decades,  according to the environment ministry. 

Sightings of bears are common and local media regularly report bear attacks on people and livestock.

Last year, Romania’s parliament doubled the annual bear kill quota to 481 bear kills per year to control the size of the bear population and to remove animals that have become accustomed to entering cities in search of food.

Wildlife experts have said bear attacks have increased because of human behaviour as the shrinking of the animals’ habitats due to construction, logging and climate change.

Omar shared footage the day before his death of him driving past a bear that was perched up on the side of the road

Omar shared footage the day before his death of him driving past a bear that was perched up on the side of the road

The tourist shared images and videos of his bear sightings prior to his death

The tourist shared images and videos of his bear sightings prior to his death

Many bears are also attracted by rubbish dumps on the outskirts of cities and by discarded food. 

Officials have not done enough to step up prevention measures, including electric fences and better trash management, wildlife experts said.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Trump wants to celebrate 250 years of independence with a UFC fight at the White House

Trump plans to commemorate 250 years of independence with a UFC event held at the White House.

DES MOINES, Iowa — President Donald Trump said Thursday that he’s thinking…
Cash-only weekends are Gen Z’s new money-saving hack

Gen Z’s latest money-saving trick: Using only cash on weekends

Cold hard cash is making a comeback — at least on weekends.…
An Oklahoma pediatrician is accused of staging her daughter's accidental death in Florida

Oklahoma pediatrician allegedly orchestrates daughter’s accidental death in Florida

An Oklahoma pediatrician was accused of murder after, authorities said, she staged…
A year before declaring independence, colonists offered 'Olive Branch' petition to King George III

Colonists proposed ‘Olive Branch’ petition to King George III a year before asserting independence

NEW YORK (AP) — Alarmed by the policies of President Donald Trump,…
Logan Square fire today: 3 kids among 5 hospitalized after house fire, stabbing in 3600-block of West Palmer Street, source says

Five people, including three children, taken to hospital after a house fire and stabbing incident on West Palmer Street in Logan Square today, according to reports.

CHICAGO (WLS) — Five people, including three children, were hospitalized after a…
Supreme Court clears way for deportation to South Sudan of several immigrants with no ties there

Supreme Court Allows Deportation of Immigrants to South Sudan without Ties

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Thursday cleared the way for…
What's next for Sean 'Diddy' Combs following his conviction on prostitution charges

Sean ‘Diddy’ Comb’s Future After Being Found Guilty of Prostitution Charges

Sean “Diddy” Combs is currently facing a crucial phase in his criminal…
Young athlete woke up and couldn't move... paralyzed two hours later

A young athlete couldn’t move after waking up and was paralyzed two hours later

One morning, a 20-year-old promising curling athlete from Canada found herself unable…