The brown bear is no longer merely the subject of zoological research in Slovakia. It has become one of the most powerful political symbols of our time. This lecture traces the process through which this species became a tool of political struggle and voter mobilization. Through the lens of 20 years of experience—from analyzing data behind a computer screen to authentic field research—I will explore the gradual transformation of scientific management into the politics of fear. We will examine why radical solutions and emotions prevail over scientific facts in public discourse and what role the media and social networks play in this. The lecture uncovers the mechanisms by which systemic prevention is replaced by a narrative of the “enemy” and analyzes the consequences of this approach for nature conservation, as well as for trust in expertise and scientific institutions in the country.

Bio: Michal Kalaš has been dedicated to nature conservation and zoological research for three decades. He began his professional career in 1996 by monitoring and protecting birds of prey, for which he was awarded the Minister of the Environment’s Award in 2001 after successfully identifying the perpetrator of a crime against birds of prey in the Veľká Fatra region. He is a graduate of the Faculty of Natural Sciences at UMB in Banská Bystrica. He linked his professional career in state nature conservation to the Malá Fatra National Park, where he worked for 21 years (including 13 years as director). His primary focus became brown bear research. He is a co-author of a unique stationary monitoring project, which over two decades has produced one of the most comprehensive datasets on the life of this carnivore in Slovakia. The project has become a successful example of “Citizen Science” in action—thanks to the involvement of volunteers and students, it has built a network of experienced mappers. The uniqueness of the monitoring also lies in its long-term sustainability without reliance on external grants, thereby demonstrating the viability of professionally led community collaboration. He continues to present his research data and practical insights at zoological conferences, thereby actively contributing to the professional discussion on large carnivore management and landscape connectivity. In his expert work, he has long focused on the issue of “human-wildlife conflict”—from addressing attacks in the field to systemic prevention. Given the increasing politicization of the ministry and interference in professional nature conservation, he decided to leave the institution at his own request in 2024. He currently works as an independent field zoologist.