An elderly man was seriously injured after a bear attacked him in the yard of his home in Doliani, Zagori, on Tuesday evening, according to local reports.

The incident occurred under unclear circumstances when the man was pushed by the bear, causing him to fall from a wall and sustain injuries to his head and shoulder. The man’s cries for help alerted his wife and nearby neighbors, who rushed to his aid. Emergency services were called, and he was quickly transported to the Ioannina Hospital for treatment.

Wildlife in the Region

The region of Zagori, known for its small stone villages, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023. Its beautifully dense forests are home to a variety of wildlife species, including brown bears and wolves, which makes sightings of such mammals increasingly common. Recently, residents have reported growing bear activity, and while crop damage has been frequent, this marks the first recorded human attack in the area. However, this marks the first recorded attack on a person in the region, raising concerns about human-wildlife interactions in Zagori.