Bear attacks surge in Russian Siberia with 16 deaths in September

At least 16 fatal bear attacks were recorded across Russia in September, according to a CNN tally of Russian media reports. The Krasnoyarsk region in central Siberia recorded the highest toll with seven deaths.

Victims included a 51-year-old woman mauled outside her home, a security guard killed at a forestry truck lot, and two elderly mushroom pickers found dead with injuries consistent with bear attacks. In Tuva, the father of NHL player Andrei Kuzmenko died after a fishing trip attack, while a 29-year-old woman was dragged from a tent and killed in the Altai tourist area in August.

“We were never afraid to go outside, even at night. A bear entering the yard was something I couldn't even imagine.”

Bears entered populated areas in more than 40 Russian regions this year, TASS reported. The country typically records 20 to 30 attacks annually, the Ministry of Natural Resources told TASS.

Zoologist Sergey Kolchin said average attack frequency has not increased, but a shift occurred in certain Siberian regions this year, particularly Krasnoyarsk. Konstantin Tirronen assessed that attacks this year were above the long-term average.

Experts attribute the surge to a poor berry harvest that drove bears toward settlements, combined with expanding human presence in forested areas. Authorities have issued warnings and increased patrols in affected regions.