Bear population rises in Kazakhstan: What it means for residents

Tengrinews.kz - The population of bears in Kazakhstan has increased, prompting discussions about the implications for residents. This information comes from the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, which reports a growing number of brown bears in the country.
The ministry noted that two subspecies of brown bears inhabit Kazakhstan: the Tien Shan brown bear, which is listed as rare and endangered, and the brown bear that is subject to regulated hunting.

"The population of brown bears (excluding the Tien Shan subspecies) has shown steady growth in recent years, with 3,265 individuals recorded in 2022 and 3,578 in 2023," the ministry stated.

The increase in bear sightings near farms and apiaries is attributed to the proximity of these areas to their natural habitats and the availability of food sources, such as household waste and livestock. In response to potential threats to human safety and property, conservation organizations are educating the public on preventing uncontrolled grazing of livestock.
Legislation allows for the shooting of brown bears that pose a threat to human health and safety, regardless of hunting seasons, by specialized organizations authorized by local authorities.
The annual hunting limits for brown bears are determined based on biological assessments, allowing for up to 6% of the population to be hunted. With the increasing number of bears and wolves, the hunting limit may be raised.
According to Aytaur Tugankbekov, Vice President of the Republican Association "Tabigat" and a senior researcher at the Institute of Zoology, there are currently no threats to the bear population in Kazakhstan, largely due to established hunting limits.

"Hunting is not easy; it requires skill and sometimes luck. Typically, hunts are unsuccessful in about half of the cases," Tugankbekov explained.

He highlighted that while bears may attack livestock under certain circumstances, such as food scarcity or if they are injured or older, they generally avoid humans. Incidents involving bear attacks on livestock can be linked to a lack of food resources or the presence of distressed bears, which might resort to attacking easier prey.
Tugankbekov emphasized the importance of having a management plan for key animal species, including bears and wolves, as part of international practice. This plan should involve scientific monitoring and assessments over a five-year period.
Additionally, he noted the need for properly equipping state inspectors to manage wildlife threats, which may include relocating or euthanizing dangerous animals. However, he lamented that funding for conservation efforts in Kazakhstan is often inadequate.
Regarding the recent introduction of tigers into Kazakhstan, Tugankbekov assured that there would be no competition for food between the newly introduced tigers and the bears.

"Tigers were brought to the Ile-Balkhash Reserve, while bears predominantly inhabit the Zhetysu and East Kazakhstan regions, and their habitats will not overlap significantly," he said.

In September, Kazakhstan welcomed two tigers from the Netherlands as part of efforts to restore the population of the Turan tiger. The Ile-Balkhash Reserve, established in 2018, spans over 415,000 hectares and aims to create a suitable ecosystem for these big cats.