Russia probes bear attacks as official says town under ‘siege’

In September, at least six people died due to bear attacks in Russia’s Siberian region of Krasnoyarsk within a month. Prosecutors initiated an investigation into criminal negligence against local officials for failing to control bear populations or prevent them from entering populated areas. The brown bear population in Russia has more than doubled since 1990, increasing from around 130,000 to nearly 308,000 by 2026 according to the natural resources ministry. Despite this surge, annual bear attacks across Russia have remained relatively constant at approximately 20 to 30 per year. An official in a neighboring region declared that bears had put one town “under siege,” highlighting growing concerns among local authorities and media about rising human-bear conflicts. The Investigative Committee of Krasnoyarsk and Khakassia regions accused officials of neglecting warnings regarding the need to regulate predator populations effectively.