This is usually related to the development of agriculture, where bears come into conflict with humans (attacks on farm animals, destruction of beehives, destruction of crops), as well as forest degradation. They are also threatened by poaching and trade in bear body parts, which are used in traditional medicine. Residents of the Black Sea region illegally hunt Syrian bears to obtain bear fat, which is said to have medicinal value. Bears are also sometimes killed during wild boar hunting with dogs, as well as by poisoned baits and snares set illegally for deer, roe deer, wolves, and lynxes.
