A bear attacked a woman on the riverbank in the Severobaikalsky district of Buryatia, and the report came from Marina Damdinova, the head of Burprirodnadzor, via her Telegram channel. The incident drew immediate attention from regional wildlife authorities who monitor threats to people and bears alike.
The attack took place in the Severobaikalsky region as a resident of Nizhneangarsk went fishing along the banks of the Dushkachanka River and encountered a bear. Despite rescue efforts, the victim could not be saved, underscoring the dangers that can arise when bears are in close proximity to human activity near waterways and recreational sites
Burprirodnadzor specialists suggest the animal may have perceived the person as a threat or as potential prey. The bear was subsequently killed by hunters to prevent further risk. Investigators from Burprirodnadzor are surveying the site to determine the circumstances, and no signs of additional predators have been detected in the area.
In Buryatia, the total number of bears exceeds six thousand, with relatively low population density in most locales. Nevertheless, when a bear approaches people or enters inhabited or frequently visited areas, it triggers strong concern. Local authorities repeatedly urge residents and visitors to stay alert, keep a respectful distance from wildlife, secure attractants, and report unusual animal activity promptly to prevent dangerous encounters.
Earlier reports described a female bear accompanied by two cubs in the Sakhalin region, where the animal attacked a passerby in a residential courtyard. The bear managed to knock the man to the ground, but bystanders who raised their voices and created a disturbance scared the predator away. Initial information indicates that the man was not seriously injured, though the encounter remained unsettling for those nearby. In such cases, authorities stress the importance of avoiding direct contact and giving bears space to retreat.
There have been other incidents where workers in remote areas encountered curious bears and sought shelter, such as hiding on structures like pipes to keep safe. These events highlight the unpredictable nature of bear behavior and the need for proper safety measures when people work or travel in bear habitats, especially near rivers, forests, and other terrain where wildlife activity is common. Authorities continue to monitor bear movements and remind residents to follow local guidelines for securing food waste, maintaining proper campsites, and exercising caution during periods of higher bear activity.