Zabaikalsky Region Offers Bounties for Bears as Human Encounters Rise
At least 22 people have been killed in bear attacks across Russia in 2026, as climate change has forced bears to find new food sources.
In Russia's Far East Zabaikalsky region, authorities have implemented a bounty system to address the growing number of dangerous encounters between humans and bears. The regional ministry of natural resources announced a reward of 15,000 rubles ($180) for each bear hunted. Over the past few months, more than 100 bear sightings have been recorded, with 35 occurring within human settlements.
As part of their campaign to manage the bear population, hunters have already culled 70 bears in the region. The Zabaikalsky region has raised the alert status, urging residents to avoid venturing into forests for activities such as foraging, fishing, or recreation.
The primary objective of these measures is to protect human life and health while minimizing the risk of dangerous bear encounters. In 2026, at least 22 people have lost their lives due to bear attacks across Russia. Experts attribute this alarming trend to climate change, citing a lack of berries as a primary cause. Bears are compelled to seek alternative food sources, and the open disposal of food waste further attracts these animals.
Russia's Deputy Prime Minister, Dmitry Patrushev, revealed on Wednesday that the government is currently drafting measures to control the brown bear population, which has doubled over the past three decades to reach 308,000. The proposed solutions include lifting hunting quotas, establishing regional population limits, and granting local authorities more authority to manage bear numbers.
Written by urgent.news from The Moscow Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
