Bear siege: why predators are increasingly coming to people
In 2026, the number of brown bears reaching settlements increased in Russia. According to the Ministry of Nature, predators appeared near cities and villages in 41 regions of the country. In Baikalsk, Irkutsk region on September 18, a curfew and a complete ban on visiting forests were imposed. High alert regime was also announced in 11 districts of Tuva, in Ust-Ilimsk and Bratsk, several cities of Kuzbass and Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. In Zakamensk, two schools and a technical school were transferred to distance learning due to the appearance of a bear in the city. The Ministry of Natural Resources insists that the situation is not anomalous.
In 2026, the number of brown bears reaching settlements increased in Russia. According to the Ministry of Nature, predators appeared near cities and villages in 41 regions of the country. In Baikalsk, Irkutsk region on September 18, a curfew and a complete ban on visiting forests were imposed. High alert regime was also announced in 11 districts of Tuva, in Ust-Ilimsk and Bratsk, several cities of Kuzbass and Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. In Zakamensk, two schools and a technical school were transferred to distance learning due to the appearance of a bear in the city. The Ministry of Natural Resources insists that the situation is not anomalous.
