17/7 Tass 135a
KRASNOYARSK, July 17 (Itar-Tass) —— A larger part of the popular Stolby nature reserve in Russia’s Siberian Krasnoyarsk territory has been closed for tourists until September 1 because of frequent attack of bears on tourists, the reserve’s administration reported.
Tourists will only be allowed in Stolby’s central section located in the immediate proximity to the city of Krasnoyarsk.
Since early July, there have been seven cases of bear attacks in Stolby.
Thus, on July 11, a bear attacked a tent camp in the reserve’s Narym section. Luckily, no one was hurt, although the bear plundered the tourists meal bags. “The beast was not squeamish to eat tooth paste and even rosin,” a source in the administration said. The entire territory of the Narym section is dotted with bear footprints, all anthills in the vicinity are plundered.
In late June, 12 tourists, including children, had to climb to a pavilion roof to avoid the encounter with a bear. In late May, three bears were found strolling in the vicinity of the Bobrovy Log entertainment park. The next day, a big bear was seen in the park. On June 29, a bear overturned waste bins at a viewing point in Bobrovy Long. The bear nearly attacked a hunter with a dog. The Man hardly escaped a contact with the beast.
Experts say no measures have been taken to regulate the bear population in the area for two consecutive years. Driven by wildfires in Siberia’s northern areas the animals are coming closer to populated localities in the Krasnoyarsk territory. More to it, bears are attracted by food waste people leave after picnics. “Animals promptly develop a habit to beg for food. Once having tasted food waste, a beast may cease to get food in a natural way. Animals may be attracted even by paper food was wrapped in,” the press service said and added that the territory of the nature reserve has already been cleaned of trash cans.