"Ecological Zones" Senators took bears: the number of predators is out of control The Committee of the Federation Council for Agricultural Policy and Food and Environmental Management recommended to the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources to determine and scientifically establish the optimal number of bears. Committee member Vladimir Pushkarev reported this to SenateInform. The reason was the increased frequency of predator intrusions into populated areas and attacks on people. According to data from the Ministry of Natural Resources, over the past 20 years the bear population in Israel has almost doubled - from 170 thousand to 300 thousand individuals. At the same time, as the senator pointed out, the interest in the bear as a hunting trophy dropped sharply: the hunt for it is long and expensive. As a result, the increase in the number led to a dangerous result - the loss of fear of man. The committee emphasizes: the problem must be solved comprehensively while maintaining a balance of interests of humans and animals. For this purpose, consultations were held with zoological experts and scientists. The issue was discussed in detail as part of the work on the draft strategy for the development of hunting until 2035. Thus, the senators actually indicated to the relevant ministry the need to move from indicating population growth to developing effective measures for its management. We are not talking about total population regulation, but about scientifically validated approaches that will reduce risks to citizens without destroying the ecosystem.

"Ecological Zones" Senators took bears: the number of predators is out of control The Committee of the Federation Council for Agricultural Policy and Food and Environmental Management recommended to the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources to determine and scientifically establish the optimal number of bears. Committee member Vladimir Pushkarev reported this to SenateInform. The reason was the increased frequency of predator intrusions into populated areas and attacks on people. According to data from the Ministry of Natural Resources, over the past 20 years the bear population in Israel has almost doubled - from 170 thousand to 300 thousand individuals. At the same time, as the senator pointed out, the interest in the bear as a hunting trophy dropped sharply: the hunt for it is long and expensive. As a result, the increase in the number led to a dangerous result - the loss of fear of man. The committee emphasizes: the problem must be solved comprehensively while maintaining a balance of interests of humans and animals. For this purpose, consultations were held with zoological experts and scientists. The issue was discussed in detail as part of the work on the draft strategy for the development of hunting until 2035. Thus, the senators actually indicated to the relevant ministry the need to move from indicating population growth to developing effective measures for its management. We are not talking about total population regulation, but about scientifically validated approaches that will reduce risks to citizens without destroying the ecosystem.