Brown bear (Ursus arctos) — the largest predator inhabiting 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 conservation status \"extinct\".

Habitat range and population size

At present, 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 — according to various estimates, 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 have been preserved in the Lviv and Chernivtsi regions.

Significantly less often — in single cases — bears are encountered in the Polesie, particularly in the Kyiv and Sumy regions. In 2025, camera traps at the Chernobyl Reserve recorded an adult brown bear, which indicates the gradual restoration of biodiversity in this exclusion zone.

History of population decline

The situation with the brown bear in Ukraine causes serious concern among ecologists and nature conservation organizations. Over the past 50 years, the population size of the species has decreased by about four times — from approximately 1300 individuals to the current 300-350.

The main causes of such catastrophic decline in the population are:

• Areal fragmentation — active construction of roads, expansion of populated areas, and deforestation divide natural territories into isolated sections, preventing the free movement of animals.
• Poaching — illegal shooting remains a serious threat, especially in border regions.
• Destruction of the food base — intensive forest exploitation and recreational load deprive bears of natural food sources.
• Disturbance factor — the active presence of humans in the forests forces animals to leave their territories.

Characteristics of the lifestyle

The brown bear is a typical forest species. In mountainous areas, it prefers mosaic forest stands, interspersed with regenerating clear-cuts and subalpine meadows. Bears make dens in hollows of old trees, under roots, on slopes in thickets, or among rocky heaps. The beginning and timing of winter hibernation vary depending on weather conditions.

Despite its impressive size, the bear is an omnivore, with plant food possibly constituting the main part of its diet. Cubs are born once every two years, in late December — early January, usually in two, which remain with their mother until they are two years old. Adult males may weigh more than 400 kilograms.

Human-bear conflict

During the period from 2018 to 2023, cases of conflicts between large predators and local residents, primarily farmers and beekeepers, were recorded in the Carpathians. 31.3% of such incidents were attacks by bears on livestock and beehives. At the same time, the total number of conflicts has decreased by nearly five times, and attacks on apiaries have decreased almost twice as much.

In the Carpathians, there is also a rehabilitation center for brown bears on the territory of the National Nature Park \"Sinevir\" — 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. They are gradually adapted to life in natural conditions in the center.

Prospects 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 preserving natural habitats, ecological 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 Reserve gives hope for the gradual restoration of the population. However, for this, 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 necessary.

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