For the first time in more than 100 years, a bear appeared in the Rivne region, whose tracks were noticed by local residents and employees of the reserve.
The animal probably came from the territory of Belarus or the Chornobyl Reserve, reports Eko.Raion.
It is noted that the last local bear in the Rivne region was shot in 1910. Since then, the animals in the region were not noticed until 2021. This is the third case when a bear entered the territory of the Rivne region, which is confirmed by the tracks of the animal and a broken beehive near the village of Ozero.
Mykhailo Franchuk, the deputy director for scientific work of the Rivne Nature Reserve, said that according to the latest observations, the bear is located near the villages of Shtokiv and Sopachyv in the valley of the Styr River. He probably migrates to the reserve.
He explained that bears are very active animals and can cover thousands of kilometers under favorable conditions. However, these animals are active mainly at night.
The material emphasized that cases of bears entering border areas have increased over the past month. Scientists observed such phenomena in May in Chernihiv and Sumy regions, and later in Kyiv and Zhytomyr regions.
Scientists associate this activity with the increase in the number of bears. After all, when bear cubs grow up, they are forced to separate from their parents and explore new territories. In addition, migration could be caused by military actions.
Franchuk said that the breeding areas of bears are currently recorded in the Chornobyl Nature Reserve. Animals reproduce and adults stick to their territories, and young ones – master new ones.
It is noted that it is currently unknown whether the animal will settle in the Rivne region or return to Belarus. Scientists are trying to determine the gender and age of the bear.
The article emphasized that the probability of a person meeting a bear in Polissia is very small, because this species is active mainly at night. The bear hears the smell and noise far away. Therefore, if you make noise in the forest, meeting a bear becomes almost impossible. However, in regions densely inhabited by bears, for example in the Carpathians, you can come across them while picking berries. There were cases when bears went on ski routes.
Franchuk emphasized that in the event of an encounter with a bear, the following rules must be followed:
- When you see a bear – don't run away! A bear may mistake you for a victim and simply tear you apart.
- If you have a backpack, a bucket, or some other object, you simply place it in front of you, leave it, and quietly walk away. The bear will be interested in your object and you will have time (literally several minutes) to move away.
- Even if the bear comes by surprise and you don't have a backpack or any other item, you can raise your hands or pick up a stick. So you will be able to show that you are more formidable than him and the beast will not touch you.
- In no case should you shoot a weapon! Even if you manage to shoot a bear, it becomes very aggressive and has the strength to run up to half a kilometer and is able to tear the victim apart. The bear is very durable, weapons will not help here.
- Chemical clothing or rubber can scare off a bear. Such things arouse in the animal, so the bear will leave after smelling it.
As EcoPolitic reported before, in Transcarpathia, employees of the Uzhan National Nature Park boasted saving the little bear on the outskirts of Domashin village. Social network users were interested in the question why the bear was without its mother.
