Crossroads Asia | Environment | East Asia

Ecological Imbalance Is Driving Bear Encounters in Mongolia

As of early October, the Mongolian authorities have received 754 calls reporting bear sightings in various provinces and towns.

In recent months, Mongolia has experienced rare bear sightings in its northern provinces. Local authorities have so far been successful in capturing the bears alive and placing the animals back into their natural habitat. The sudden movement of such a large number of bears indicates a deeper ecological imbalance not only in Mongolia but also Russia and Japan. 

As of early October, the Mongolian authorities have received 754 calls reporting bear sightings in various provinces and towns. Solo bears, bears with cubs, and lost cubs have been sighted. More alarmingly, bears have encountered nomadic herders, killing one person and injuring several others. People from remote towns and herding communities have reported attacks on livestock. Most of these bears encounters have been reported in Khuvgsul, Bulgan, Darkhan-Uul, and Tuv provinces – all Mongolia’s northern provinces with robust habitat for bears, wolves, elk, deer, and wild boars.   

The sudden surge and the possible migration of bears clearly demonstrate the changing environment in their natural habitat. Khuvsgul, Bulgan, and Darkhan Uul provinces are 51 percent forest and considered a perfect habitat for bears. Mongolia’s boreal forests, known as taiga, offer cedar and pine nuts, types of berries, and water access for bears. In the fall, particularly in the months of August, September, and October, bears forage throughout the taiga with their cubs in preparation for hibernation. 

The increased movement of these bear populations points to several issues in Mongolia’s ecological system. One of the speculated causes is a shortage of food. Mongolia’s extreme weather fluctuations, including shorter summers with amplified heatwaves, can impact vegetation and dry out grasslands. Particularly in Khuvsgul and Bulgan, given the short summer, there is a risk of shortage of berries and nuts. 

In addition, Khuvsgul and Selenge provinces hold one of Mongolia’s critical river basins, which is crucial to the forestry and its natural habitat. One of the remaining questions concerning bear movements is whether these river basins and other water sources are experiencing a fish shortage, caused by climate change and mining activities. 

Given the pristine nature of Northern Mongolia, these provinces are subject to strict environmental scrutiny and protection. Still, mining does occur. Bulgan Province, in particular, is known for its extractive industries, including gold and polymetallic mining (although in comparison to other notable extractive sites, the scale of mining in Bulgan is relatively moderate). 

According to the World Resources Institute,........

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