Brown bear is the largest predator in Belarus. Once it was on the brink of extinction, but today its population is steadily growing, and encounters with humans are becoming more frequent. In this article, we will tell you where Belarusian bears live, how many there are now, why hunting them was allowed, and what to do if you meet a bear in the forest.

How many bears are in Belarus and where do they live

According to the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, the brown bear population in the country has reached 700 individuals. At the same time, according to operational data from hunters, as of June 1, 2026, already 1491 animals have been accounted for. This is a significant increase compared to the 1980s, when the population was estimated at only 80–130 individuals.

Bears in Belarus are distributed unevenly. The main part of the population — about 74% — is concentrated in the Vitebsk region, in the north of the country. Another 23% inhabit the Minsk region, and 3% — the Mogilev region. In the south of the country, bears are encountered only occasionally — individual animals enter the territory of the Polotsk Radioecological Reserve, Belovezhskaya Pushcha, and the Pripyat National Park.

Interestingly, in 2023, the brown bear was first recorded in the \"Pripyat\" National Park in more than 60 years. This indicates the gradual expansion of the predator's range to the south.

From the Red Book to the hunting season

Until 2025, the brown bear in Belarus was under strict protection and was included in the Red Book with the highest category of environmental significance. However, due to the increase in population, its status was changed to category IV — \"vulnerable species\".

Since May 21, 2025, the Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus No. 420 has entered into force, which made changes to the rules of hunting. The bear and the lynx have been given a so-called \"binary status\": they remain red-listed species, but may be classified as game animals if necessary for regulating population numbers.

In 2025, the first hunting season on bears was opened with a quota of 47 individuals. In 2026, the season started on July 1 and will last until December 31. The total quota for 2026 is 35 individuals, to be harvested in eight hunting areas in the Vitebsk and Minsk regions.

The decision to open hunting has sparked discussions. Representatives of hunting organizations claim that it is a necessary measure due to the increasing number of conflicts between bears and humans. Ecologists, on the other hand, believe that hunting will not solve the problem, and artificial baiting on hunting grounds, on the contrary, may accustom bears to humans and increase the number of dangerous encounters.

What to do when meeting a bear

Experts warn that encounters with bears in Belarusian forests are no longer rare, especially in the Vitebsk region. The predator is usually not aggressive and tries to avoid humans, but in some situations, it can be dangerous. Special caution is needed when meeting a female bear with cubs, during the mating season, as well as with a wounded or hungry animal in the spring after emergence from hibernation.

What to do when meeting:

• If the bear does not notice you — quietly leave without attracting attention, or walk around it in a wide circle.
• If the encounter occurs at a close distance — do not panic, do not run, do not turn your back and do not look the bear directly in the eyes.
• Speak to the bear in a calm, confident tone, let it know that it is facing a human. You can whistle or clap your hands.
• Leave slowly, first turning around 10–20 meters, then sideways. If your movement provokes the animal, stop in place.
• If the bear stands on its hind legs — this is not always a sign of aggression. It may be looking around or sniffing. Do not make sharp movements.

A sign of an attack is pressed ears, raised fur on the nape, a snarl, and a tense posture. If contact is unavoidable — fall to the ground, lie on your stomach or curl up into a ball, cover your head with your hands, and remain motionless as long as possible. If the aggression continues — defend yourself in any available way, hit the animal in the eyes and nose, use pepper spray.

Living next to such a large predator is a great responsibility and respect for wildlife. But remember: cases of bear attacks on humans in Belarus are rare, and the likelihood of being injured by a forest animal is extremely low.

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