226 EXTINCT AND VANISHING MAMMALS 



Rumania. The bear occurs in the coniferous forest zone of the 

 Banat and the southern Carpathians and in a limited area of the 

 eastern Carpathians. Toward autumn it comes in search of food to 

 lower heights, as far as the lower border of the coniferous forests 

 (Tismana, in the Horjin District, and Brasov). (Calinescu, 1930, 

 p. 365.) 



In the Transylvanian Alps it is still common in some districts 

 (Tratz, in Castelli, 1935, p. 9) . 



Poland. The species was not rare in the eighteenth century, when 

 it was still found all over Poland. The number is now reduced to 

 about 250-270 individuals, found chiefly in the eastern Carpathians ; 

 there are still about 20 in eastern Poland. There are also some in 

 the Tatra Mountains. The number has perhaps increased of late. 

 Females and young are absolutely protected, and the hunting of 

 males is forbidden from January 15 to December 15. (M. Siedlecki, 

 in Hit., October, 1936.) 



About 256 are left in the Carpathians, and 15 in eastern Poland 

 in the swampy forest of Agarkow (National Council for Nature 

 Protection, in litt., October, 1936) . 



In the future special permits for the shooting of bears will be 

 granted by the Ministry of Agriculture (Quarterly Information 

 Bulletin concerning the Protection of Nature in Poland, Kwartal 3, 

 1935). 



The proposed National Parks of the Tatra and of Czarnohora 

 will be of importance in the protection of bears. The chief aim of 

 the proposed International Park of Poland, Czechoslovakia, and 

 Rumania is the creation of a breeding ground for the Bear, Lynx, 

 Wildcat, Wolf, Stag, etc. (Benedyct Fulinski, MS, 1933.) 



Lithuania. The species has been exterminated in this country 

 since about 1877 (T. Ivanauskas, in litt., November, 1936) . 



Latvia. The species is now extinct in Latvia, the last specimens 

 having been killed in 1880-90 (N. von Transehe, in litt., February, 

 1937). An occasional straggler comes from Russia or Estonia to 

 our northeastern forests (Forest Department, Latvia, in litt., March, 

 1937). 



Estonia. About 20 individuals are found in the northeastern 

 part, in the district of Wirumaa (Wiesland). Hunting is allowed 

 only on a special permit from the State Forest Department. In 

 recent years permits have been given for only one specimen each 

 year. (Zoological Institute, University of Tartu, in litt., October, 

 1936.) 



Russia. In Russia and Siberia the Brown Bear is more or less 

 generally distributed, and in many areas it has maintained itself 

 in fairly satisfactory numbers. Under these circumstances it seems 

 unnecessary here to devote a great deal of space to the local dis- 



