Archive · 30 Sep 2026
Russia Plans Bear Population Controls After Deadly Attacks
Russia has had many deadly bear attacks this year.
At least 22 people have died since spring.
The government says there are too many bears in some regions.
It is considering allowing more bear hunting and giving local officials more control.
Bears may be searching for food because the spring was warm and dry.
This reduced the berries available to them.
People may also attract bears by leaving food waste outside.
Some people have not followed safety rules.
Another government ministry says attacks may only seem more common because people now share them widely online.
At least 22 people have been killed by bears across Russia since spring.
The brown bear population has more than doubled in three decades to 308,000.
The government is considering higher hunting quotas and regional population limits.
Experts cite milder winters, food shortages, exposed waste and ignored safety rules.
Officials in Krasnoyarsk face a criminal investigation after seven deaths in September.
- Who
- The Russian government, brown bears, experts, and local officials are involved; at least 22 people have been killed.
- What
- Russia is preparing measures to control brown bear numbers after a series of deadly attacks.
- When
- The measures were announced on Wednesday, September 30, after attacks reported since spring and in September.
- Where
- The attacks occurred across Russia, including Kamchatka in the Far East and Krasnoyarsk in Siberia.
- Why
- Officials cite a growing bear population, while experts also point to food shortages, milder weather, exposed waste, and ignored safety rules.
More urgent bear controls
Attack numbers and causes disputed
Population management
More urgent bear controls
The Russian government says the bear population has grown too large in some regions and is considering higher hunting quotas, population limits, and stronger local powers.
Attack numbers and causes disputed
The federal environment ministry has played down the scale of the problem, saying roughly 20 to 30 bear attacks have been recorded annually in recent years.
Reasons for the attacks
More urgent bear controls
Experts say shorter, milder winters and an early, dry spring have reduced food supplies, pushing bears to search more widely.
Attack numbers and causes disputed
Experts also blame human behavior, including leaving food waste exposed and ignoring safety rules; the environment ministry says smartphones and social media may make attacks appear more widespread.
Official responsibility
More urgent bear controls
Investigators in Krasnoyarsk opened a criminal case accusing the local environment ministry of negligence linked to seven deaths in September.
Attack numbers and causes disputed
The federal environment ministry has emphasized that the recent reports may exaggerate the apparent frequency of attacks rather than demonstrating an unprecedented nationwide surge.
- Reported deaths
- At least 22 people have been killed by bears across Russia since spring.
- Bear population
- Russia’s brown bear population has more than doubled in three decades to 308,000.
- Potential measure
- The government is considering lifting hunting quotas on brown bears.
- Regional control
- Authorities may establish regional population limits and give local officials additional powers.
- Krasnoyarsk deaths
- Seven people died in the region in September, according to investigators.
- Krasnoyarsk bear population
- The region is home to nearly 27,000 bears, according to environment ministry data.
- Recent attacks
- A 23-year-old berry gatherer was killed in Kamchatka, while a woman in Siberia was fatally mauled in her garden.