Brown bear roams around Schloss Elmau - what does that mean for security at the G7 summit?

Created: 06/13/2022Updated: 06/13/2022 15:22

By: Theresa Kuchler

A wildlife camera recorded a brown bear on May 2, 2022 in the Garmisch-Partenkirchen district.

18,000 officials will be on the move in the same area for the G7 summit.

© Private/District Office Garmisch-Partenkirchen/dpa

In the district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, people are preparing for the G7 summit.

A bear has been roaming around there for some time.

The police are prepared for both states of emergency.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen – The security concept for the G7 summit, which takes place from June 26th to 28th at Schloss Elmau, includes various dangerous situations.

The threat posed by a bear is not actually the focus.

But right now one of them is sneaking through the Garmisch-Partenkirchen undergrowth.

Could the animal get too close to the 18,000 police officers who will be patrolling the same compound?

In fact, a brown bear was photographed by a wildlife camera at the end of April in the southern district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen - not far from Elmau.

And near Scharnitz in Tyrol, a good ten kilometers from the castle, fearful farmers fetched their sheep from the pasture.

Before that, a bear had apparently killed 15 animals.

For security at the 2022 G7 summit in Elmau: police record bear sightings

First and foremost, the tight security policy for the high-profile June 26-28 summit includes no bear threat.

However, a constant assessment of the situation, which also includes bear sightings, is part of the police preparations, the G7 planning team told the police.

"We are already in contact with the responsible authorities in this regard."

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The construction work on the 16-kilometer barrier around the conference venue was not affected by the bear sighting.

"The company commissioned with this will be informed accordingly." The police ruled out that the bear could accidentally be fenced in and then be in the narrow security area with the heads of state and government.

It is not a "full lock".

Bär roams through Garmisch-Partenkirchen at the time of the G7 summit: How to behave when meeting

In case of a bear encounter

the Bavarian State Office for the Environment (LfU) developed advice after the shooting down of the problem bear Bruno in 2006, which of course the police officers can also apply.

"Remain as calm and relaxed as possible," advises the LfU.

"Stop and get the bear's attention by speaking calmly and moving your arms slowly." Very important: You shouldn't run away or try to drive it away, but retreat slowly and in a controlled manner.

If the bear does attack: “Lie face down on the floor or crouch on the floor with your hands behind your neck.

If available, your backpack protects your back.

The bear will usually let you go or just sniff you.”

You can find more current news about the 2022 summit at Merkur.de/G7-Gipfel Elmau