Bear Watching Slovakia

Brown Bear Chases Deer: Fascinating Wild Hunt Observation in the Tatras

There were numerous amazing wildlife encounters throughout the season. During our observations, we witnessed a four-minute chase between a deer and a brown bear. At first, we spotted a deer with massive antlers high on the slope. Moments later, a brown bear charged down from above, and the deer immediately fled, traversing the alpine meadows downward and to the left.

The brown bear sprinted at speeds of at least 30 km/h, staying just 20–40 meters behind the deer. The deer tried to escape through the dwarf pine, but even in some difficult terrain, the bear stayed close behind. The deer then changed tactics and ran straight downhill toward us. While running downhill, the bear slowed slightly for the first time, as descending is less efficient for it than traversing.

The deer then disappeared onto a narrow path through the dwarf pine, but we could still follow it. The bear, however, no longer had visual contact. Yet within a minute, the bear followed the exact same path the deer had taken. Without seeing it, the bear could sense the deer’s movements and go precisely along its route. Eventually, the bear ran past us at about 70 meters, paused for 2–3 seconds to glance at us, and then immediately continued the pursuit. Surprisingly, bear showed showed no signs of fatigue and went straight further after its prey.

The chase can continue, with breaks, day and night, until the deer becomes exhausted. Once deer´s digestion falters and it tires, the brown bear finally gains its prey. Energy, endurance, and cunning—this is how large predators hunt. Nature is wild and beautiful.