A 72-year-old pensioner named Boris escaped unharmed after confronting a bear in the yard of his home in the Siberian republic of Buryatia, Russia.
The encounter took place in the rural settlement of Okhor-Shibir, located within the Tunkinsky District, according to the Telegram channel SHOT. Boris had stepped out into his yard to check on his horse when he spotted the wild predator standing just a few meters away from him.
The bear suddenly charged toward the pensioner, prompting Boris to shout at the animal as loudly as he could. The sudden wall of sound caused the predator to stop its advance.
Without turning his back on the bear, Boris carefully retreated toward his residence, went inside, and locked the door. The animal departed from the property shortly after the confrontation ended.
Boris suffered no injuries during the incident, and the bear did not damage any structures on the lot. His only loss was his beloved horse, which panicked at the sight of the bear and fled the property. Boris said he plans to set out to search for the missing animal.
Local Reaction and Official Warnings
Local residents in Okhor-Shibir said they believe the bear's visit was a one-off event. Wild animals in the district rarely encounter humans, and the predator did not destroy anything on the property during its brief intrusion.
Local authorities issued a warning to villagers regarding the potential return of the bear in search of food. Officials urged residents not to leave food waste outdoors and advised them to keep domestic dogs securely tied up.
Siberian Geography and Local Background
The Republic of Buryatia is a federal subject of Russia located in eastern Siberia, stretching along the eastern shore of Lake Baikal toward the Mongolian border. An ulus, such as Okhor-Shibir, is a traditional rural settlement in the region.
The Tunkinsky District is situated in the Tunka Valley in southwestern Buryatia, bordered by the Sayan Mountains. The surrounding taiga landscape is home to wildlife including Siberian brown bears, which typically remain in forested mountain areas away from human settlements.
Recent Fatal Bear Attack in Siberia
The incident in Buryatia follows a fatal bear attack reported elsewhere in Siberia days earlier. On August 19, a bear attacked a campsite near the village of Artybash, a popular tourist destination located on Lake Teletskoye in the Altai Republic.
The predator tore into a tourist tent and dragged a 29-year-old woman into the forest in front of her fiancé. The woman could not be saved.
