Russia faces rise in fatal brown bear attacks

Russia is experiencing an increase in dangerous encounters with brown bears, particularly in Siberia and the Far East. Since the spring of 2026, at least 22 people have reportedly died in bear attacks. In the Irkutsk region alone, authorities received 461 reports of bear sightings between September 28 and October 4.

Experts suggest several factors contributing to this trend, including a shortage of natural food sources like berries and nuts, which forces bears to seek sustenance near human settlements. Other contributing factors include climate change, milder winters, and the availability of human food waste. The brown bear population in Russia has grown to approximately 308,000 individuals, more than double the population recorded in the early 1990s.

In response, the Russian government has announced plans to address the threat by potentially adjusting hunting limits and granting more authority to regional officials. While some reports suggest a surge in incidents, the Ministry of Natural Resources maintains that the annual number of attacks remains within historical ranges.