Silviu Dragan

Born and raised in Brasov, Romania, I still live here with my family, including my younger brother, Marian, who is 20. We've always been competitive, but we've had our fair share of good moments too. A few months ago, Marian suggested something that caught me off guard: a multi-day hiking trip together. The idea seemed crazy at first, but it felt like a chance to reconnect without the usual tension.

When the day arrived, we packed our rucksacks and set off with high spirits. The first day was idyllic, but the second day became tougher as the trail got more mountainous. As we began our descent late in the day, a large brown bear suddenly appeared and charged. The bear lunged at Marian, grabbing him by the leg and dragging him into the undergrowth. His screams tore through the air, and panic surged through me.

In a desperate bid to save him, I grabbed a hefty branch and charged at the bear, yelling at the top of my lungs. The bear hesitated, seemingly startled by my aggression, and finally let go of Marian. With no cell reception, I had no choice but to carry him on my back, leaving our gear behind. After what felt like an eternity, I managed to get a weak signal and called the mountain police. A helicopter arrived soon after, whisking us away to the nearest hospital.

Marian was lucky. The doctors managed to treat his wounds, and he only had a large scar as a reminder of that day. Since then, we've been closer than ever, and he is infinitely grateful for his rescue. The experience changed us, deepening our bond in a way nothing else could. In Romania, around 8000 brown bears roam the forests, and there's been a heated debate about increasing the culling of aggressive bears. But Marian and I agree: the bears aren't at fault. Their shrinking habitat and dwindling food sources drive them closer to human settlements. We believe there must be a better solution than killing these magnificent creatures.