Russia’s bear culling campaign draws concern from zoologists

Around 2,000 bears have been shot across Russia since the beginning of 2026, according to SHOT.

Regional authorities have authorised the culling of bears amid concerns over growing populations and an increase in encounters between the animals and people. The measures are intended to protect residents and regulate bear numbers.

The highest number of confirmed cases has been reported in the Irkutsk Region, where at least 506 bears have been killed since the start of the year. The Kamchatka Peninsula has recorded at least 366 such cases, followed by the Krasnoyarsk Territory with no fewer than 269 and Buryatia with 188.

At least 800 bears were reportedly killed specifically after being classified as conflict animals following their appearance near populated areas.

As encounters with bears become more frequent, local authorities have introduced additional restrictions. In Ulan-Ude, for example, residents were temporarily advised not to visit city cemeteries after bears were spotted near burial sites. Similar warnings have been issued in other Russian regions this year.

Against the backdrop of the widespread culling, zoologists have called for the practice to be halted. They argue that the mass killing of bears will not resolve the problem of animals entering populated areas.

According to the experts, dangerous encounters, including attacks, are in some cases caused by people themselves, who provoke the animals or fail to follow basic safety rules.

By Tamilla Hasanova