Thirty-five Deaths Recorded in Russian Bear Attacks
Thirty-five people have died in bear attacks across Russia since the start of spring, according to state news agency RIA Novosti, cited by Reuters and reported locally by BTA and Dnevnik.bg.
The death toll climbed sharply over recent weeks. Only 22 fatalities were recorded at the beginning of October, before rising to the current total of 35, BTA reported. The most recent victim was a security guard working at a holiday camp on the Kamchatka Peninsula, according to RIA Novosti.
Russian Brown Bear Populations More than Doubled
Brown bear numbers in Russia more than doubled over the past three decades to reach 308,000 animals. Shorter and milder winters helped drive that population growth, BTA reported.
Some regions struggle to control the growing animal population. The Russian government announced plans in September to ease hunting regulations for culling bears, BTA noted.
Factors Driving the Spike in Bear Incidents
Axe Tsydenov, head of the Russian republic of Buryatia where at least two people died this year, pointed to several causes behind the spike in incidents. He said that hunters participating in the war in Ukraine contributed to the problem, BTA reported.
“This year, unusually many bear incidents have been registered,” Tsydenov told state television, as reported by BTA. He added that other drivers include natural food shortages, forest fires, and a drop in demand from China for bear bile and paws used in traditional medicine.
Zoologist Mikhail Krechmar said that hunters currently use only about 27 percent of authorized bear hunting quotas across the country, according to BTA.
Questions About Russian Bear Population Control
How many brown bears currently live in Russia?
The population reaches 308,000 animals, more than double the total from three decades ago, BTA reported.
What measures has the government introduced to address the attacks?
The Russian government announced in September that it is preparing measures to make the culling of bears easier, BTA stated.