Bear attacks kill 35 across Russia as population doubles
Thirty-five people have died in Russian bear attacks since spring, with the brown bear population doubling to 308,000 over three decades.
Russia is experiencing a surge in deadly bear attacks, with deaths rising from 22 in early October to 35 by November. The country's brown bear population has more than doubled in the last 30 years to 308,000, in part due to shorter, milder winters.
Some regions are struggling to control numbers. The government announced in September it is drawing up measures to make culling easier.
Zoologist Mikhail Krechmar noted Russia is using only about 27 per cent of its allowed bear culling quota.
- 35
- Deaths since spring
- 308,000
- Bear population over 30 years
- 27 per cent
- Culling quota utilised
- At least 2
- Deaths in Buryatia this year
Why it mattersA booming bear population in a wildlife-dense region now poses a significant hazard to people living and working nearby.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect yet; this remains a regional Russian wildlife crisis.
Corroborated byPerthNow
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 4 h ago
