The Eurasian Brown Bear (Ursus arctos arctos) is present in Ukraine. This species survives in small, isolated populations concentrated in the western and northern parts of the country. Estimates suggest only a few hundred individuals exist across the Ukrainian territory, primarily in two distinct geographic areas.
The Brown Bear Species in Ukraine
The Eurasian Brown Bear exhibits a significant size difference between sexes. Full-grown males average between 350 and 500 kilograms, while females typically weigh 150 to 300 kilograms. Their diet is omnivorous, consisting of plant matter like berries, beech nuts, and acorns. They also actively hunt wild ungulates, with wild pigs making up a large portion of their meat consumption. Unlike their northern counterparts, bears in the Ukrainian Carpathians may not always undergo a deep, prolonged winter hibernation, sometimes skipping it entirely depending on food availability.
Primary Habitats and Geographic Range
The brown bear population is largely concentrated in two primary regions: the Carpathian Mountains and the Polissia lowlands. The most stable breeding population is found within the Carpathian region, which spans the Lvivska, Ivano-Frankivska, Zakarpatska, and Chernivetska regions. Here, the bears prefer a mosaic landscape of old mountainous forests mixed with coniferous and deciduous trees. Their habitat often includes areas with windthrow and scrubby clearings that provide cover, and bears utilize the terrain up to elevations of 2,000 meters above sea level.
The second area is the Polissia region, which includes the area around the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. The presence of bears in this northern region is a more recent phenomenon, suggesting a natural recovery linked to the significant reduction in human activity. This recovery is further aided by a decline in agriculture and a lowered density of the rural population in the area.
Conservation Status and Population Management
The brown bear is a protected species in Ukraine and is listed in the country’s Red Book, where its conservation status is noted as “disappearing.” Recent monitoring estimates the total bear population across Ukraine is between 150 and 250 individuals. The species faces threats including habitat fragmentation due to logging operations and illegal poaching.
Conservation efforts focus on maintaining and restoring habitat connectivity through transboundary ecological corridors. These corridors are important along the border with Romania, allowing for genetic exchange and movement between national populations. National parks and nature reserves play a significant role in monitoring the population and protecting suitable habitats.
Understanding Human-Bear Encounters
Human-bear interactions are common in the Carpathian regions where the population is most dense, largely involving the local agricultural community. The most common conflicts center on damage to beekeepers’ apiaries and, to a lesser extent, attacks on livestock. Bear-related incidents account for a notable fraction of all large carnivore conflicts experienced by local farmers and beekeepers.
Preventative measures have proven effective in reducing the frequency of these encounters. The use of electric fences around apiaries and livestock enclosures has become a successful strategy for deterring bears from accessing human resources. Additionally, the use of guarding dogs for livestock protection has shown positive results in minimizing conflict.
For hikers and visitors in the Carpathian wilderness, standard safety protocols are advisable, such as making noise while walking to avoid surprising a bear in dense cover. Proper storage and securing of all food items and trash prevents bears from associating human presence with an easy meal.