The TusnadEcoBear concept, initiated in 2022 in Băile Tușnad, Romania, promotes human-bear coexistence through communication, education, engagement and cooperation. These pillars include the Watch app for bear sightings, the Cave visitor center, the Fest educational festival, and the Conf scientific conference. With proven success, the goal is to expand the project to surrounding communities and establish Bear Smart communities through ongoing collaboration.

Rural stakeholders in the town of Băile Tușnad and surrounding ecotourism destinations are not fully engaged in human-bear coexistence practices, which are crucial for species conservation and conflict reduction. This project, supported by Bears in Mind since 2025, seeks to raise awareness and broaden its impact by addressing specific challenges that current methods or laws overlook, creating collaboration opportunities, and enhancing bear conservation education in local schools.

UPDATE!

The 4th TusnadEcoBear Conference, held in October 2025 in Romania, brought together experts from 17 countries to share knowledge on human–large carnivore coexistence, with a focus on European brown bears. Participants discussed practical approaches to mitigating conflicts in human-dominated landscapes, examined effective and ineffective management practices, and emphasized the importance of preparing for emerging challenges such as climate change. The conference reaffirmed its value as a unique platform that links scientific research, practical field experience, and community involvement, highlighting how local action supported by international cooperation can advance bear conservation.

Following the conference, the Tusnad Eco Bear Fest offered a two-day educational festival centered on the same theme, primarily aimed at schoolchildren. Activities included felting, woodworking, interactive science experiments, microscope observations, team-building games, and safe laser target shooting, all designed to deepen understanding of bear behavior, ecological roles, and opportunities for peaceful coexistence.