A man has died and a woman has been seriously injured after a bear attacked them in their home near Ulaanbaatar, the Mongolian capital. Police reported the incident happened overnight on Wednesday in the Bayanzurkh district.
The attack took place in a traditional Mongolian nomadic dwelling, known as a ger. The man, aged in his 40s, died, while the woman, in her 50s, managed to escape and alert neighbours. She is currently in a serious condition in hospital, according to city official Munkhbayar M.
A team of rangers is searching for the bear, and locals have been advised by officials to be vigilant and report any sightings. Munkhbayar stated that there have been 24 bear sightings near the capital this year, compared to two in 2018.
Bear sightings near human settlements are reportedly becoming more frequent in Mongolia, with climate change and food scarcity cited as contributing factors. Officials are seeking tranquiliser dart guns to support rangers in rural areas, and bear-hunting permits have been issued across eight provinces.