A bear that was seen roaming around the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on Wednesday was spotted near Pabradė, a small town approximately 50 kilometres northeast of Vilnius, the Lithuanian Hunters and Anglers Association (LMŽD) announced.
“The latest update on the Vilnius bear: this morning around 7:30, it was recorded in the forests of Pabradė. Relaxed and snacking,” the association wrote on Facebook.
The bear had drawn significant public attention over the weekend being spotted on several occasions around the outskirts of Vilnius – an unusual occurrence in Lithuania, where wild bears are rarely seen near populated areas.
On Monday, Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas, together with specialists from the Wildlife Care Centre of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, confirmed that the bear had been seen in Purnuškės, a village just north of the capital.
Before that, the animal had reportedly been recorded in the settlement of Avižieniai on Saturday, while on Sunday evening it was seen in Riešė, another suburb north of Vilnius. Residents shared sightings in local Facebook groups and alerted emergency services.
The bear was also seen running near residential buildings in Vilnius District and captured on video late Sunday night by a car’s dashboard camera on Ukmergės Street – a major road in Vilnius.
At the time, the mayor urged the public to exercise caution if they encounter the bear, avoid provoking it, and immediately notify emergency services by calling 112.
Environmentalists say the increase in bear sightings could be linked to the growth of the native population, as well as disrupted migration routes due to the border fence built on the border with Belarus.
Curious to follow the bear’s journey yourself? A map of bear sightings in Lithuania is available at: www.meskuzemelapis.lt.
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