The Forestry Department of Kastoria, in cooperation with the Environmental Organisation Callisto, proceeded on Saturday morning with the release of a small bear, about six months old, which was trapped in the hotel yard.

The little bear lost its orientation and was trapped in the hotel yard. The residents alerted the Forestry Department of Kastoria, whose officers were immediately on the spot, together with members of Callisto, as part of the operation of the Immediate Intervention Team.

A few hours earlier, passing citizens saw the six-month-old bear cub with its mother in the forest. Thus, it was deemed appropriate to release the cub and push it up the mountain to find its mother, who was in the area.

It is recalled that during this period, mother bears and their cubs are quite likely to appear near areas of human activity, as they are looking for food in fruit trees.

Mother bears are overprotective of their cubs. For this reason, if we encounter a cub alone, we do not approach it as it is very likely that the mother is nearby and may feel threatened by human presence.

It is important to know that if a bear is in our way we stay calm, do not shout, do not try to scare it. We calmly walk away, giving the bear space to continue its journey. Under no circumstances do we throw branches, stones or other objects, as it will perceive this act as a threat. In case we spot a bear moving too close to a residential area, we notify the Forestry Department and the Police Department of the area.