Russia considers overhauling hunting regulations as bear population grows

Kamchatka Fatality and Russian Bear Population Growth

The latest recorded fatality occurred on Kamchatka, where a 23-year-old man was killed while gathering wild berries. According to statistics from the Ministry of Natural Resources, the country’s brown bear population has more than doubled since the 1990s, rising from roughly 130,000 animals to nearly 308,000 today. Reuters reports that this population growth is driven in part by shorter and milder winters.

Government Response and Proposed Hunting Quota Changes

Russian authorities are now weighing policy shifts to curb the rising number of conflicts. “It is clear that the bear population is increasing, and so the problems are increasing,” Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev told Reuters. “Systematic measures are needed to ensure that people and animals can live safely side by side and that the necessary balance is maintained.” To address this, the government is considering abolishing quotas for hunting brown bears, establishing regional population limits, and granting local authorities broader powers to manage bear numbers. Officials also plan to direct additional funding to regions struggling most with the influx of predators.

Investigation into Official Negligence in Siberia

In the Krasnoyarsk region of Siberia, where the bear population sits at approximately 27,000, investigators announced last week that they are probing whether local officials committed negligence. That scrutiny follows a deadly September in which bear attacks killed seven people in the region. Experts cited by Russian media note that an unusually early and dry spring left bears scrambling for natural food sources. They also note that humans are partly to blame because they leave unsecured garbage outdoors and ignore basic safety guidelines.

Federal Downplaying and Social Media Factor

Despite the rising death toll, the federal Ministry of Natural Resources has downplayed the overall scale of the crisis. Reuters notes that the ministry emphasizes that Russia typically records between 20 and 30 fatal bear attacks annually. Officials attribute the current perception of a growing crisis to the widespread use of smartphones and social media.

brown bear attacks and population growth in Russia

• How many people have brown bears killed in Russia?
  State news agency RIA Novosti reports that bears have killed at least 22 people across Russia since the spring.
• What is the current brown bear population in Russia?
  Ministry of Natural Resources statistics show the population has grown from 130,000 in the 1990s to nearly 308,000 today.
• What regulatory changes is the Russian government considering?
  The government is reviewing the removal of quotas for hunting brown bears in favor of regional limits and expanded local enforcement powers.