Estonia’s Bear Population Reaches Over 1,100

The Environment Agency of Estonia reported a continuing increase in the country’s bear population, estimating at least 1,100 individuals as of 2025. The agency’s report, released last week, also detailed populations of other game animals and provided hunting recommendations. Bear hunting was limited last season to 32 animals due to a court suspension, a low since 2004, but 101 were hunted in 2024.

The agency recommends limiting the upcoming hunting season to 150 bears, anticipating a much lower actual number will be hunted. While bear numbers have nearly doubled in the last two decades, the populations of foxes and roe deer have decreased.

The agency also suggests reconsidering the protected status of some European bear populations, including those in Estonia. They hope to see the wolf population, currently above agreed-upon limits, fall into a desired range of 20 to 30 litters this year due to increased hunting during the previous season.