Key facts
- Two women were killed by a bear in Podtesovo while mushroom picking.
- Hunters have begun a campaign to reduce the bear population in the settlement.
- The Russian government is drawing up measures to control brown bear populations nationwide.
- At least 22 people have been killed in bear attacks since spring.
- Russia's brown bear population has more than doubled in 30 years to 308,000.
- Investigators opened a criminal case against Krasnoyarsk's environment ministry for negligence leading to bear-related deaths.
Siberian hunters have initiated a campaign to cull the bear population in the settlement of Podtesovo following a series of deadly attacks, including the deaths of two women. Mikhail Kondakov, a hunter, stated that the bear situation in the settlement is "very difficult" and that bears have been increasingly entering residential areas.
The problem is not isolated to Podtesovo, as the Russian government is reportedly drawing up urgent measures to control brown bear populations nationwide, which have spiraled out of control in some regions. State media reported at least 22 people have been killed in attacks since spring.
According to government data, the brown bear population has more than doubled in the last three decades to 308,000, partly attributed to shorter and milder winters. Experts suggest that an early and dry spring led to a scarcity of berries, forcing bears to seek food further afield. Human factors, such as leaving food waste exposed and ignoring safety rules, have also been cited.
In the Krasnoyarsk region, where Kondakov is hunting and which has nearly 27,000 bears, investigators have opened a criminal case against the local environment ministry. They accuse the ministry of negligence for failing to control bear numbers, which they claim led to the deaths of seven people in September alone.
Residents of Podtesovo, a settlement of about 3,500 people, have expressed fear and frustration. Yulia Markova described living in fear, unable to go out in the evening, and noted that the bears' increased presence, including in parks where children play, has significantly altered daily life. While some residents initially felt sympathy for the hungry animals, the escalating number of incursions has hardened hearts. Concerns remain about bears hibernating due to hunger, with some locals fearing attacks even when the animals should be dormant.