Siberian hunters target brown bears following fatal attacks

In Siberia, hunters have begun a targeted bear hunting season following a series of fatal attacks on humans. In the Podtesovo village and the surrounding Yeniseisky district within the Krasnoyarsk region, residents requested direct action after a bear killed two women who were foraging for mushrooms.

The issue has escalated to a national level in Russia. Since the spring, at least 26 people have died in bear attacks as animals emerge from hibernation hungry. Experts suggest that early and dry springs have caused food shortages, forcing bears to seek sustenance in human settlements.

The brown bear population in Russia has more than doubled over the last three decades, reaching an estimated 308,000, a trend partially attributed to shorter and milder winters. In response to the rising danger, the Russian government announced it is developing urgent measures to control the brown bear population. According to state news agency Tass, more than 3,440 bears have been culled since the beginning of the year due to being deemed a threat to humans.