This year, the awakening came slightly earlier due to milder weather conditions, the organization said. As a result, visitors can once again see the large mammals up close at the facilities of the Bear Protection Center

Every year in Greece, between 4 and 16 cases of bear killings are recorded, with experts noting that many more go unreported

According to his fellow hiker, the bear pushed the missing man off a cliff, causing him to fall 150 meters into a steep ravine.

The remains were airlifted to Chrysoupoli and subsequently transferred to Kavala Hospital.

The bear, protected under Greek and EU law, was found dead near a village in Kastoria. Killing or injuring animals is a criminal offense under Greek law.