48 brown bears have been killed across Mongolia as part of measures to manage human-bear encounters, with five of the animals killed in cases of necessary self-defense, according to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. Ministry officials provided an update on brown bear sightings and cases after 14 reports of bears entering residential areas were registered within 24 hours between October 19 and 20. One report was recorded in Ulaanbaatar City but turned out to be false, while the remaining 13 cases were reported across seven provinces, including Arkhangai, Bulgan and Uvs.
During the same 24-hour period, four bears that had approached residential areas and households were killed as part of efforts to ensure public safety. Two other bears were driven away from populated areas, while local emergency response teams were still searching for bears in connection with five additional reports. Bear sightings were also recorded at four locations within the Khan Khentii and Ulaan Taiga protected areas and Khan Khukhii Mountain National Park, highlighting the growing need to manage encounters between wildlife and communities.
According to the ministry, a total of 48 brown bears have been killed under measures implemented by local rapid-response teams to regulate bear populations and address safety risks. Of these, 16 were killed in Khuvsgul Province, 10 in Khentii, eight in Selenge, four in Uvs, three in Zavkhan, and two each in Darkhan-Uul and Tuv provinces. One bear was killed in each of Arkhangai and Bulgan provinces, as well as in Ulaanbaatar.
Of the 48 bears, 43 were killed under official permits, while the remaining five were killed in circumstances classified as necessary self-defense. Meanwhile, the ministry’s Department of Natural Resources Policy and Sustainable Use and the State Environmental Inspection Department held an online meeting on October 21 to discuss the management of brown bear populations and the procedures to be followed when bears are killed.
During the meeting, officials emphasized the need to comply with relevant laws and regulations. In cases where bears must be killed, samples should be collected for scientific research, while suitable materials may be preserved for cultural and educational purposes, including museum collections.
The remaining animal parts and organs must be disinfected and disposed of in accordance with the MNS 6406:2013 standard, approved regulations and established procedures. Officials also stressed the importance of documenting the process to ensure that all actions are properly recorded and accounted for. The ministry plans to consolidate the issues raised during the meeting and present them to a cabinet meeting for further consideration.
