A Bulgarian man recently experienced a terrifying encounter with a wild bear while travelling in Romania. The incident took place on May 27, 2026, when 46-year-old Georgi Bizhev found himself under attack as he drove through the region known as “Bear Road.”
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Bizhev, who serves as the chairman of the Sports and Technical Commission for the Zonal Council of the Bulgarian Football Union, was making his way to Hungary to attend a football match. He and his friend were travelling the scenic route that has become quintessential for tourists wanting to catch sight of bears. “Every year, we take the trip to Budapest to watch the Champions League final, and we chose the route through Bear Pass, which many people visit to see the bears,” he explained on a local news programme.
According to Bizhev, the area has become popular with tourists eager to catch a glimpse of the wildlife. He expressed that many local residents actively encourage visitors to feed the bears, citing businesses that provide food specifically for this purpose. “Everyone who goes through this pass goes there for one reason only – to see the bears,” he noted, highlighting the bizarre culture surrounding this attractively dangerous outdoor experience.
As Bizhev and his friend travelled along the road, they saw another vehicle stopped nearby. The occupants were actively feeding a bear and its cub, and as they approached, a sense of excitement mixed with caution filled the air. “We were the second car behind them, and there was another vehicle with Ukrainian tourists behind us,” he recalled. Feeling safely enclosed in his car with the windows shut, Bizhev did not think twice about the risks involved.
However, the situation escalated when the tourists behind him began shouting and honking their horns, seemingly trying to prompt the bear’s attention. Suddenly, the bear lunged towards Bizhev’s car, and he recounted, “We saw how the glass of our car was like a sheet of paper to it.” The bear tried to grab him, and without the seatbelt, he believes the outcome could have been far worse.
In the aftermath of the attack, Bizhev sustained bite marks on his left arm and required surgical intervention. Fortunately, he reported that he was otherwise healthy, estimating a recovery period of three to four months. Reflecting on the aggressive encounter, he acknowledged that attempting to feed the bear was a mistake. Despite this, he insisted that the feeding of bears is commonplace among many who visit the area.
He clarified, “There is no one who goes there and does not feed the bears, which does not justify either me or the actions of the person I was with in feeding a wild animal, but we do not believe that we did anything wrong.” His assertion underlines the conflicting attitudes toward wildlife interactions that exist among tourists and locals alike.
While Bizhev’s experience was harrowing, it has also shone a light on the dangers of feeding wild animals, a practice that is explicitly prohibited by Romanian authorities. Those caught doing so can face fines ranging from approximately $2,200 to $6,600, a significant deterrent aimed at preserving wildlife safety and preventing dangerous encounters.
The incident has raised questions about the responsibility of both tourists and local businesses in ensuring that interactions with wildlife remain safe and respectful. As the popularity of areas like Bear Road continues to grow, it is crucial for visitors to understand the inherent risks involved and to comply with regulations intended to protect both humans and wildlife.
As of now, no formal comment has been released from Bizhev since the attack, despite contact from several media outlets seeking further insight into his ordeal. His experience serves as a cautionary tale about the potential hazards of human-wildlife interactions, and highlights the significant responsibility that comes with ensuring the safety of both tourists and the animals that inhabit such areas.