Emergency Ordinance no. 81/2021 of July 21, 2021.

This Emergency Ordinance establishes a specialized legal system for immediate intervention in cases where brown bears (Ursus arctos) enter the residential perimeters of localities. The primary objective is the mitigation of risks to human life, physical integrity, and private property, while maintaining the biological conservation status of the species. This Ordinance distinguishes between standard wildlife management in natural habitats and emergency situations occurring within built-up areas, providing a localized response mechanism triggered by 112 emergency calls.
The operational core of the Ordinance is the creation of a multidisciplinary intervention team led by the local mayor or deputy mayor. This team includes members of the Romanian Gendarmerie, specialized technical personnel from the local game manager, and an authorized veterinarian. Each intervention is governed by a principle of proportionality, utilizing a risk assessment matrix to determine the appropriate level of force. Actions are categorized into three progressive stages: repulsion, capture and relocation, and, as a final measure, extraction through euthanasia or shooting.
By introducing targeted amendments to national statutes governing hunting, the regime of firearms, and veterinary activities, the Ordinance ensures that personnel are not held liable for actions taken within the scope of the established protocols. These amendments specifically legalize the discharge of hunting weapons and the administration of tranquilizing substances within residential zones, provided such actions are documented and justified as a state of necessity.
Administrative accountability is maintained through a mandatory reporting system detailed in the document’s annexes. Every incident requires the completion of standardized reports that log the animal's behavior, the methods employed, and the final outcome, including biological data for any extracted specimens. This documentation serves as a verification tool to ensure that lethal measures are reserved strictly for aggressive or habituated individuals that pose a persistent threat to public safety.
The Ordinance also addresses the logistical and financial requirements of these operations by mandating service contracts between local administrative units and game management entities. It stipulates the reimbursement of intervention costs through the state budget, ensuring that local authorities possess the necessary resources to provide a continuous, 24/7 response to wildlife incursions.