World · Europe · 6 hrs ago
Food-short bears pose greater danger to Tuva’s 22 snow leopards
Tuva’s wildlife chief says hungry bears pose a greater risk to snow leopards in the southern Siberian republic.
Bears have been coming closer to settlements since late August as natural food has become scarce.
Reports point to a poor pine-nut harvest, while one account also cites summer drought and May frosts.
Tuva is home to 22 snow leopards, which usually avoid bears and retreat when they meet.
With less food available, bears may attack rather than simply drive the cats away.
The snow leopard is a rare, protected species listed in Russia’s Red Book and international conservation lists.
The risk of fatal encounters has increased, but the sources describe no specific measures planned in response.
Tuva has 22 snow leopards, and food-short bears pose a greater risk of attacking them, regional wildlife chief Artysh Salchak said.
Bears may attack snow leopards they encounter, while the cats usually try to retreat.
Salchak said the risk has risen because bears have less food available.
Since late August, bears in Siberia have more often approached settlements and attacked people.
The snow leopard is listed in Russia’s Red Book and is under international protection.
- Who
- Tuva’s 22 snow leopards are at risk from bears. Artysh Salchak, head of the republic’s wildlife protection committee, warned of the danger.
- What
- Food-short bears pose a greater risk of attacking snow leopards.
- When
- The warning was reported on October 18, 2026. Bears have been appearing near Siberian settlements more often since late August.
- Where
- Tuva, in southern Siberia.
- Why
- Bears have less food, increasing the risk of attacks. Sources cite a poor pine nut harvest; one also cites summer drought and May frosts.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Bears in Siberia began appearing near settlements more often, with reports of attacks on people.
Reports published Salchak’s warning that food-short bears pose a greater danger to Tuva’s snow leopards.
- Snow leopards in Tuva
- 22
- Wildlife official
- Artysh Salchak
- Bear activity
- More frequent appearances near Siberian settlements since late August
- Reported food shortage cause
- Poor pine nut harvest; another source also cites summer drought and May frosts in 2026
- Snow leopard protection
- Listed in Russia’s Red Book and under international protection
3 sources
What people are saying
In our Siberian conditions, the bear is at the top of the food chain, an alpha male, and the snow leopard is no rival for it.
There is now a danger of bears killing snow leopards, and it is high.