Brown bear sighting near Vilnius sparks debate over emergency response protocols

A brown bear was spotted late Tuesday evening in Tarandė, on the outskirts of Vilnius, reigniting discussions over how authorities handle encounters with wild predators in populated areas, LRT reports.

The bear was filmed running along a forest path near a gas station on the Vilnius road before midnight. Residents reported the sighting to both police and the Emergency Response Centre (BPC), but no further incidents were recorded overnight.

Jonas Jarmalavičius, head of the Wildlife Protection Division at the Environmental Protection Department, confirmed the bear remains in the Tarandė area, though its exact location is still being tracked by drone. He stressed that the animal has not posed a direct threat to residents.

However, the Hunters and Anglers Association criticised institutional preparedness, arguing that clear protocols for managing such encounters—particularly with large predators like bears—remain unclear. “We’re not talking about a deer; this is a bear, which poses a real danger,” said Laurynas Filipavičius, a board member of the association. “In 12 hours, it could cover vast distances—even reach the city centre multiple times.”

Filipavičius suggested the bear could be the same individual that wandered through Vilnius district last summer. He warned that hunters would refuse to cull the animal if ordered, citing its protected status under Lithuania’s Red Data Book and ongoing reintroduction efforts. “If they ask us to shoot it again, we won’t,” he stated.

The Environmental Protection Department maintains that existing protocols prioritise non-lethal measures. If the bear shows no aggressive behaviour, authorities monitor its movements, allowing it to return to its natural habitat. Only if the animal poses an immediate threat are lethal options considered as a last resort.

This year, the department has received seven bear sighting reports, compared to 56 in 2025. Experts estimate Lithuania’s current bear population at 10–20 individuals, all highly mobile. Mindaugas Lapelė of the Sengirė Fund noted that their presence signals successful adaptation to fragmented forests but urged communities to adapt in turn.

Residents encountering the bear are advised to keep a safe distance, avoid filming or provoking the animal, and contact emergency services at 112. Running or sudden movements may trigger defensive behaviour.