Ministry of the Environment explains how the bear case in Vilnius district was handled
The brown bear that had been roaming around Vilnius since Saturday was closely monitored by specialists from the Wildlife Care Centre of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, in cooperation with other responsible authorities. A detailed action plan was prepared, covering several possible scenarios based on the bear’s behavior and public safety considerations. The Ministry of the Environment explains the contents of this plan and how the successful outcome – returning the bear to the wild –was achieved.
“The plan to safely remove the bear from urban areas involved several important steps. First, we assessed the bear’s behavior. Since brown bears are naturally wary of humans, and this one was not behaving aggressively, the bear was given a chance to return to the forest on its own. This was the preferred first step of the plan”, – explained Ramūnas Krugelis, Deputy Minister of the Environment.
Had the bear failed to return to the forest voluntarily, the second stage of the plan would have been activated: the bear would be tranquilized and relocated to a more suitable, remote forest habitat. Specialists from the Wildlife Care Centre were ready to carry out this operation. After expert consultations, they had also prepared to attach a GPS transmitter to the tranquilized animal, allowing for continuous tracking and timely intervention if it were to approach residential areas again. In such a case, efforts would be renewed to safely relocate the bear or monitor its behavior for any warning signs.
According to scientists and experts, the bear appeared healthy and was estimated to be around two years old. Its young age and stress were likely the reasons it failed to find a way back to the forest. Photos and videos helped assess its condition. If tranquilization had become necessary, specialists would have further examined the bear’s fur, claws, and checked for a microchip.
Deputy Minister Krugelis emphasized that tranquilizing a large, fast-moving predator like a bear is a complex and delicate task. The animal’s movement and heightened stress can reduce the effectiveness of sedatives or require multiple doses. For safety, veterinarians must operate from vehicles or buildings and can only administer tranquilizers from a distance – typically within 20 meters.
A third, last-resort option was also included in the plan: if the bear posed a direct threat to human life or health and could not be safely tranquilized, a decision could be made to remove it from the wild using lethal means (i.e., shooting), with prior authorization. These authorizations were obtained in advance: one for attaching a GPS transmitter and another, to be used only under extreme circumstances, for lethal removal if the Wildlife Care Centre confirmed the bear posed an immediate threat.
“Human life and safety are always the top priority. If there is a serious risk to people, the bear would be euthanized. Of course, this is the least desirable outcome, and no one would take that decision lightly. However, it’s essential to be prepared for all possible scenarios,” said Deputy Minister Krugelis.
The bear was tracked by drones until 11 p.m. on the final evening. The situation was assessed with the support of the LSMU Wildlife Care Centre, the Lithuanian Hunters and Fishermen Society, local hunting area users, the Environmental Protection Department, Vilnius City Municipality’s UAV Centre (UAB ID Vilnius), the Ecosystem Protection Centre, and the Ministry of the Environment. Fortunately, the bear has since been moving away from urbanised areas and is now making its way through forested terrain.
“It’s clear that the first part of the plan was effective, and we are pleased with the outcome. The Wildlife Care Centre and its director, Justina Morkūnaitė, together with all partner institutions and organizations, managed the situation very well,” said Krugelis.
The Wildlife Care Centre continues to monitor the bear’s movements in cooperation with other organizations. After leaving the Vilnius area, the bear has been moving through the forests of Asveja Regional Park, heading in the direction of Pabradė.
According to Justina Morkūnaitė, two new sightings of the bear were reported by the public earlier today, the latest near the village of Ponasai (Sužionys eldership).
“We are closely monitoring the situation and observing the animal’s behavior. Public reports have been very helpful, and we encourage everyone to continue reporting any bear sightings. So far, the situation remains favorable—the bear is staying in forested areas, and if it avoids residential zones, it could safely reintegrate into the wild,” said Morkūnaitė.
Reminder: If you see a bear, immediately call the emergency number 112.