ULAN BATOR, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- A bear has been spotted in Ulan Bator, the capital of Mongolia, the country's Ministry of Environment and Climate Change said Monday.
The bear was captured on camera overnight from Sunday into Monday near the Botanic Garden and Research Institute in Bayanzurkh District, less than 10 km from the capital's central square.
Relevant authorities are currently searching for the bear using drones and other necessary equipment, the ministry said, urging the public to remain vigilant and take precautions to protect themselves and those around them from potential risks.
In recent months, there have been multiple reports of bears being spotted in or near residential areas in several provinces across Mongolia.
Experts said encounters between bears and livestock, as well as bear sightings in residential areas, have increased in recent years, citing factors including climate change, food shortages in bears' natural habitats, overexploitation of natural resources, and forest fires. ■