Russia opens bear hunting season following 22 fatal attacks

At least 22 people in Russia have been killed by brown bear attacks since the spring, prompting hunters in the Siberian locality of Podtesovo to open a hunting season to combat the threat.

The brown bear population in Russia has more than doubled over the last three decades, reaching approximately 308,000 specimens, partly due to milder and shorter winters. In the Krasnoyarsk region alone, there are nearly 27,000 bears. Experts suggest that forest fires and an early, dry spring have caused food shortages, forcing bears to seek sustenance closer to human settlements. The presence of open food waste has also contributed to increased proximity to populated areas.

In response to the rising fatalities, including seven deaths in a single month, investigators launched a criminal case against the regional Ministry of the Environment in September regarding alleged negligence in population control. While zoologists note that attacks are becoming more frequent in various Siberian regions, some experts indicate that this year's incidents have been more concentrated in specific areas.