Bears sightings increase in urban areas of Finland following hunting regulation changes

The end of bear hunting outside reindeer husbandry areas is leading to an increase in bear sightings near urban areas and even in cities. This observation comes from Ilpo Kojola, a research professor at the Natural Resources Institute Finland and one of the country’s leading experts on large carnivores. In a ruling late last year, Finland’s Supreme Administrative Court declared that nearly all bear hunting outside reindeer husbandry areas is illegal, effectively halting population management hunting across most of northern Finland.

This week, multiple sightings of young bears were reported around Joensuu, with the last sighting occurring on Friday. Sightings have also been noted in Southern Savonia as bears venture closer to human settlements. According to Kojola, this trend is becoming more apparent as urban bear encounters are on the rise. “There are typically not many such occurrences this time of year, but we are seeing more than in previous years,” he stated.

It is likely that these encounters will become even more common in the coming years as bears grow more accustomed to human presence. Kojola notes that typically, young bears looking for food can be found near human settlements before they hibernate, often scavenging in garbage bins.

Northern Karelia is reported to have the highest bear population in Finland, with 490 to 520 bears over a year old in the region. Following the birth of around 130 cubs early in the year, a local wildlife agency granted licenses to hunt ten bears in Lieksa. However, environmental protection group Tapiola Karelia challenged the licenses in court, leading to a suspension of their implementation.

The challenge of bear relocation in urban settings is significant, as aggressive bears can pose risks, especially if frightened. According to wildlife chief Juha Kuittinen, the increasing interactions near Joensuu are not surprising given the changes in hunting regulations and population control.