Food stored in backpacks and tents likely attracted a bear that attacked two tourists in the Altai region of Russia, killing a 29-year-old woman, according to survival expert Oleg Taiga.
The animal targeted a camping tent occupied by the woman and her fiancé near the village of Artybash. The bear dragged the victim into the surrounding forest and mauled her to death in front of her partner.
Survival instructor Oleg Taiga told Russian state news agency TASS that food left inside tents or vestibules is the primary driver of fatal bear encounters. Wild animals are drawn to campsites by strong, appetizing food odors, he explained.
Taiga noted that sleeping tourists make no sound, preventing approaching animals from realizing humans are inside. When a bear comes within half a meter of a tent wall, it can easily grab a sleeping camper and pull them outside.
Expert analysis of bear behavior
The survival expert suggested the bear had likely encountered humans on previous occasions, becoming habituated to human presence and losing its natural fear. He added that unmanaged garbage accumulating near tourist sites creates an additional draw for foraging predators.
Following the tragedy, local authorities in the Altai Republic announced that they wanted to introduce a curfew in the area to protect residents and visitors.
Wilderness tourism in the Altai region
Artybash is a rural settlement situated on the northern end of Lake Teletskoye in the Altai Republic, a region in southern Siberia known for its rivers, lakes, and mountain ranges. The village serves as a hub for eco-tourism, boat tours, and hiking expeditions.
The surrounding taiga is home to Eurasian brown bears, which inhabit the mountain forests of Siberia. Wilderness safety experts recommend storing all food supplies and odoriferous items well away from sleeping quarters to prevent dangerous encounters with wildlife.
