Brown bear (Ursus arctos) — the largest predator living on 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 protected status \"endangered\".

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 are preserved in the Lviv and Chernivtsi regions.

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

History of Population Decline

The situation with the brown bear in Ukraine is causing serious concern among ecologists and nature 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 catastrophic decline in the population are:

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

Characteristics of Lifestyle

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 the hollows of old trees, under roots, on slopes in thickets, or among rocky piles. The beginning and duration of hibernation vary depending on weather conditions.

Despite its impressive size, the bear is an omnivorous animal, with plant food possibly constituting the main part of its diet. Cubs are born once every two years, in late December to early January, usually in a pair, which remain with their mother until they are 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, mainly farmers and beekeepers, were recorded in the Carpathians. 31.3% of such incidents were attacks by bears on livestock and beehives. However, during this period, 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 \"Synevir\" — the first and only one in Ukraine. Animals that have been kept in captivity for a long time: in restaurants, circuses, or private zoos, are brought here. In the center, they are gradually adapted to life in natural conditions.

Perspectives 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 public, 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 recovery of the population. However, for this to happen, comprehensive measures for the preservation of natural territories and migration routes, as well as the fight against the main threats facing the largest predator in Ukraine, are needed.

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