Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 4 hrs ago
Some bears in Sochi may delay or skip winter hibernation
In Sochi National Park in Russia, some Caucasian brown bears may stay active almost all year or enter their dens later than usual.
Warm weather and available food can affect when they hibernate, along with each bear’s age and health.
Hibernation helps bears survive when food is scarce, so some can remain active if they can find enough to eat.
The park says bear visits to places with accessible food doubled over the past year.
A specialist cautioned that these visits should not be directly attributed to changes in hibernation timing.
Bears are mainly drawn by the search for food, including food waste near human settlements.
People living near the park and visitors are advised to be more alert where bears may be active.
Some bears in Sochi National Park may remain active nearly year-round or enter winter dens later than usual when food is available.
Senior researcher Revaz Pruidze said denning depends on weather and food supply, not fixed dates.
Warm weather and plentiful food, including nuts, chestnuts and wild fruit, can help bears stay active.
The number of bears coming out to search for accessible food in the park doubled over the past year.
Experts cautioned that increased encounters with people should not be directly attributed to changes in hibernation timing.
- Who
- Some Caucasian brown bears in Sochi National Park, and senior researcher Revaz Pruidze.
- What
- Bears may delay hibernation or remain active nearly year-round when food is available.
- When
- The reports were published on October 23 and 24, 2026; the change is described as occurring in the current period.
- Where
- Sochi National Park and forests in the Caucasus, Russia.
- Why
- Weather and food availability affect when bears enter dens; warm conditions and accessible food can sustain activity.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The number of bears coming out to places where they can find food in Sochi National Park doubled.
Утренний Юг reported that some bears may delay denning or remain active nearly year-round if food is available.
Правда.Ру reported that specialists had observed changes in the usual rhythms of Caucasian brown bears in Sochi National Park.
- Location
- Sochi National Park, Russia
- Researcher
- Revaz Pruidze
- Food sources
- Nuts, chestnuts and fruit from wild trees
- Change in bear activity
- Bears’ outings to find accessible food doubled over the past year
- Reported dates
- October 23 and 24, 2026
3 sources
What people are saying
Increased encounters between people and bears should not be explained only by anomalies in the timing of going to sleep. Such a direct link would be scientifically incorrect.