Siberia bear attacks prompt negligence investigation in Russia

Russian authorities have launched a criminal investigation into potential negligence following a surge in fatal bear attacks in Siberia. In the Krasnoyarsk region alone, six people were killed in September. Investigators are examining whether officials at the regional environmental ministry failed to take necessary measures to regulate the predator population or prevent them from entering residential areas.

The brown bear population in the Krasnoyarsk region has grown to over 26,000 animals. In the neighboring Khakassia region, the town of Abaza has reportedly been “surrounded” by bears, prompting local authorities to patrol streets and shoot several animals to protect the 10,000 residents.

Experts suggest that a lack of natural food sources in the Siberian federal district may be driving the bears into human settlements. Other contributing factors include illegal landfills and the feeding of wild animals. While the Ministry of Natural Resources notes that national attack rates remain relatively stable, the recent frequency of incidents in these specific regions has caused significant public alarm.