ULAN BATOR, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- At least 997 bear sightings have been reported across Mongolia since spring this year, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change said Tuesday.
The bear sightings have been reported in 11 provinces and the capital, Ulan Bator, the ministry said.
So far, 20 bears that posed a threat to human life, health or property have been killed, as authorities step up efforts to address the growing number of bear encounters in residential areas.
Authorities regularly issue public safety alerts and information online and operate a 24-hour hotline to receive reports from residents.
Experts attribute the sharp increase in bear sightings to several factors, including climate change, food shortages in bears' natural habitats and the overexploitation of natural resources. ■