A town in Siberia is facing a series of deadly bear attacks that have left six people dead over the past month. The incidents, occurring in and around Podtyosovo, have raised concerns about increasing human-wildlife conflicts in the region.

Among the victims were two women who were killed within hours of each other while foraging for mushrooms in the forest. Other fatalities included a factory worker and two individuals gathering wild berries near a river. Most recently, a pensioner was reportedly dragged to her death after a bear entered her home.

Local authorities have linked the surge in attacks to a significant rise in the population of brown bears across Russia’s Siberian territories. According to official figures, the number of brown bears has grown from approximately 130,000 in 1990 to close to 308,000 today. This increase has led to more frequent encounters between bears and local residents, many of whom rely on forest resources for sustenance.

Efforts to manage the expanding bear population while ensuring public safety are ongoing, though the recent fatalities underscore the challenges faced by communities living near bear habitats. Residents have been advised to exercise caution when entering forests and to take preventive measures to reduce the risk of attacks.