Brown bear (Ursus arctos) — the largest predator inhabiting the territory of Ukraine, and the only representative of the bear family in the country's fauna. Once this species was widely distributed throughout the state, inhabiting forest and partially steppe zones. Today, its range has catastrophically shrunk, and the species is listed in the Red Book of Ukraine with the conservation status \"extinct.\"

Habitat and Population

Currently, the main population of the brown bear in Ukraine is concentrated in the Carpathian region. It is here that the overwhelming majority of individuals are found — estimates vary from 300 to 350 animals. The highest concentration of bears is observed in the Zakarpattia and Ivano-Frankivsk regions, where up to 200 individuals are counted. Smaller populations have been preserved in the Lviv and Chernivtsi regions.

Bears are encountered much less frequently — in isolated cases — in the Polesie, particularly in the Kyiv and Sumy regions. In 2025, camera traps at the Chernobyl Nature Reserve captured an adult brown bear, indicating the gradual restoration of biodiversity in this exclusion zone.

History of Population Decline

The situation with the brown bear in Ukraine causes serious concern among ecologists and conservation organizations. Over the past 50 years, the population of the species has decreased by approximately four times — from about 1300 individuals to the current 300–350.

The main reasons for such a catastrophic decline in population are:

• Fragmentation of the habitat — active road construction, expansion of settlements, and deforestation divide natural territories into isolated sections, preventing the free movement of animals.
• Poaching — illegal shooting remains a serious threat, especially in border regions.
• Depletion of the food base — intensive forest exploitation and recreational load deprive bears of their natural food sources.
• Disturbance factor — the active presence of humans in forests forces animals to leave their territories.

Characteristics of Life

The brown bear is a typical forest species. In mountainous areas, it prefers mosaic forests, interspersed with regenerating clearcuts and subalpine meadows. Bears make dens in hollows of old trees, under roots, on slopes in thickets, or among rocky piles. The beginning and timing of hibernation vary depending on weather conditions.

Despite its impressive size, the bear is an omnivorous animal, with plant food often constituting a significant part of its diet. Cubs are born once every two years, in late December — early January, usually in two, which remain with their mother until two years old. Adult males can weigh more than 400 kilograms.

Human-Bear Conflict

Between 2018 and 2023, cases of conflicts between large predators and local residents, primarily farmers and beekeepers, were recorded in the Carpathians. 31.3% of such incidents were attacks by bears on livestock and beehives. At the same time, the total number of conflicts decreased almost fivefold, and attacks on apiaries decreased by nearly half.

In the Carpathians, there is also a rehabilitation center for brown bears on the territory of the National Nature Park \"Sinevir\" — the first and only one in Ukraine. Animals that have been kept in captivity for a long time: in restaurants, circuses, or private zoos, end up here. In the center, they are gradually adapted to life in natural conditions.

Prospects and Conservation

The brown bear is protected not only by national but also by international legislation: the species is listed in the IUCN Red List, included in the CITES Appendices and the Bern Convention. Effective conservation measures include the preservation of natural habitats, environmental education with the population, combating poaching, and developing measures to reduce conflicts between humans and predators.

Despite the difficult situation, the appearance of bears in the Chernobyl Nature Reserve gives hope for the gradual restoration of the population. However, comprehensive measures are needed to preserve natural territories and migration routes, as well as to combat the main threats facing the largest predator in Ukraine.

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