At least 86 brown bear sightings have been reported in residential areas of Selenge province in northern Mongolia since the beginning of spring, with the animals killing and eating 162 head of livestock, the provincial department of environment said Wednesday.

"These figures are based on reports submitted by nomadic herders. We cannot rule out the possibility that there have been additional incidents that have not been reported or registered," the department said.

In recent months, there have been multiple reports of bears being spotted in or near residential areas in several provinces across Mongolia. In particular, several bear sightings have been reported in the capital, Ulan Bator, in recent days, prompting authorities to urge the public to remain vigilant and take precautions to protect themselves and others from potential risks.

Experts said encounters between bears and livestock, as well as bear sightings in residential areas, have increased in recent years. They cited several contributing factors, including climate change, food shortages in bears' natural habitats, the overexploitation of natural resources, and forest fires.

Published Date:2026-10-01