Experts Advise Ardabil Farmers on Deterring Bears from Sabalan Orchards

TEHRAN, Oct 25 (OPA) — Wildlife management officials in Ardabil are urging local residents to adopt proven deterrent strategies as bear incursions into agricultural zones rise. The conflict stems from the proximity of human activity and tourism to established animal habitats, forcing bears to forage in orchards and apiaries near the Sabalan slopes.

Experts emphasize that securing food sources is the most effective method for preventing bear activity near human dwellings. Recommendations include the installation of robust fencing around beehives and the removal of attractants, such as fallen fruit or unsecured waste, which draw predators into village perimeters.

Human-wildlife friction has intensified as hikers and nature enthusiasts increasingly enter protected zones. This overlap disrupts natural foraging patterns, leaving bears to seek easier caloric intake in human-managed areas. Local authorities are monitoring the situation to balance agricultural protection with the preservation of the regional ecosystem.

While no specific incidents of injury were reported, the frequency of these encounters has prompted a shift in local land management. Farmers are encouraged to coordinate with environmental agencies to implement non-lethal deterrents that protect both livestock and the local bear population from unnecessary contact.