The EU entry of Bulgaria and Romania on January 1 2007 was going to increase the union's wild animal diversity, Agence France-Presse reported.

Forest regions in the two countries are the home of thousands of bears and wolves.

Bulgaria and Romania were the two European countries having biggest bear and wolf populations, AFP reported. At the same time the number of these animals was worryingly decreasing.

Bears are a protected species in Bulgaria. Hunting can take place only through the issuing of special  permits.

Despite the ban and the measures, until recently bears were used by poorer people and Roma minorities as a tourist attraction, AFP reported.

In 2000 Four Paws foundation set up a nature preserve, where these bears could live. A similar preserve was set up in northeastern Romania.

Other  animals that inhabit Bulgarian and Romanian wild areas include wolves, jackals and deers.