“There are too many bears”: the government is preparing systemic measures

The problem with bears in Russia is becoming more acute. The government is preparing a number of measures to restore order and ensure the safe neighborhood of people and animals. This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev.

“As the population grows, so does the number of problems. Systemic measures are needed to build a safe neighborhood of people and animals, as well as maintain the necessary balance, Patrushev said.

How many bears are there in Russia?

According to state monitoring, over the past 30 years, the number of brown bears in Russia has more than doubled. There are about 300,000 of these predators in the country. And it can't help but worry.

In recent months, the most attacks were recorded in the Primorsky and Krasnoyarsk territories, as well as in the Irkutsk region. According to Life.ru, 21 people became victims of bears in different regions of Russia in a few months.

What the authorities offer

One of the measures is to remove the brown bear from the number of species whose extraction is regulated by limits. Now you can only hunt them in certain volumes. If the limits are removed, numbers can be adjusted more quickly, especially where there are too many bears.

Another idea is to determine the basic norms for the number of bears for each territory. Regional authorities will be able to make decisions quickly depending on the local situation. And the regions that need additional money for this work, the government promises to help.

The main goal is to ensure the safety of people and maintain balance in nature. We are either suffering from bears or destroying them completely.

What's happening

Since the beginning of 2026 in Russia shot about two thousand bears. At least 800 animals were found to be conflicting – they appeared near people. Most of these predators were eliminated in the Irkutsk region, in Kamchatka and in the Krasnoyarsk Territory.

The situation in Kuzbass is also tense. Bears are regularly spotted near cities, towns and dachas. In August, there were cases of attacks on people in Mezhdurechensk and Novokuznetsk. In September, in the Novokuznetsk district, two bears ravaged an apiary and a plot near a garden house - the animals had to be shot.

Due to the threat of attacks in different areas of Kuzbass canceled two major races. The children were allowed to study remotely. According to experts, the number of bears in the region in recent years has increased by almost 30%.

So the problem is real for us, too. New measures being prepared by the government could help: if the region gets more authority and funding, it will be easier to respond to predators.

What do people do

While the authorities are working on systemic solutions, Kuzbassians should be more careful. If you live in an area where bears appear, or go to the forest:

- Don’t leave food outdoors – it attracts predators.

Make noise in the forest: bears usually avoid loud noises.

- Do not approach the cubs - there may be a bear nearby.

- If you see a bear, don't run. Slowly retreat without turning your back.