Zabaikalsky Region Offers Bounties for Bears as Human Encounters Rise

Oct. 1, 2026 The Eurasian brown bear. Christina & Peter / pexels Authorities in Russia’s Far East Zabaikalsky region have introduced a bounty for bear culling in the region to curb the sharp rise in dangerous encounters with humans. The regional ministry of natural resources on Thursday offered a reward of 15,000 rubles ($180) for every bear hunted. More than 100 bear sightings have been recorded in the Zabaikalsky region so far, with 35 taking place directly inside human settlements. Hunters have culled 70 bears across the region as part of its campaign to regulate the animal’s population. The Zabaikalsky region introduced a high-alert status on Tuesday, with officials urging residents to avoid forests for foraging, fishing or recreation. “The main goal of these measures is to protect human life and health and reduce the risk of dangerous encounters with wild animals,” the ministry said in a statement. At least 22 people have been killed in bear attacks across Russia in 2026. Experts attribute the spate of killings to climate change, with a lack of berries forcing bears to look for food elsewhere, as well as people leaving food waste out in the open where it attracts bears. Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev said Wednesday the government was drafting measures to manage the brown bear population, which has doubled over the last three decades to 308,000. Lifting hunting quotas and setting regional population limits, as well as giving local authorities extra powers to control bear numbers, were among the proposals. Read more about: Zabaikalsky , Wildlife Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more FSB Arrests Former Radio Liberty Reporter in Far East Russia While the FSB withheld the man’s name, local and independent media earlier identified him as Alexander Andreyev. 1 Min read Zabaikalsky Region Appeals for Federal Help Addressing Fuel Shortage The shortages were first reported last month when at least two fuel chains imposed rationing for gasoline and later ran dry at several stations. 1 Min read Wildfires in Zabaikalsky Region Inch Closer to Capital City Chita, with a population of 350,000, sits at the center of a federal-level state of emergency that has been in place for nearly a month. 2 Min read 3 Flamingos Rescued in Altai Republic After Severe Storm “Most likely, the birds deviated from their migration path, possibly during a recent storm,” said a researcher at Saylyugem National Park. 2 Min read