A far-eastern Russian federal subject
Prosecutors have opened a probe into criminal negligence as Russia’s brown bear population has more than doubled since 1990, now about 307,000. Fatal and non-fatal bear attacks are rising this year, with authorities reporting several deaths and residents near affected towns under siege by bears.
Russia is expanding bear culling quotas to curb rising bear attacks. The government reports more than 12,000 bear-related reports this year, with 87 attacks and 36 deaths, while the bear population is numbered at about 308,000. Quotas vary by region, and funds have been allocated to support culling operations.