Belarus legalizes hunting of polar bears and lynxes after decades-long ban

A controversial shift in wildlife policy opens new hunting seasons—but only where animal populations thrive. Will conservation balance with tradition?

, and Administrator

2025 November 10 . 7:15 AM

1 min read

This is a picture taken in a snowy area. In the center of the picture there are wolves. On the... — This is a picture taken in a snowy area. In the center of the picture there are wolves. On the right, at the bottom there is a wolf. On the left ,at the top there is a wolf. In this picture there is snow everywhere.

Belarus legalizes hunting of polar bears and lynxes after decades-long ban

Belarus has lifted a decades-long ban on hunting polar bears, with President Alexander Lukashenko authorizing the culling of these Red Book-listed animals, along with the bear cast, under a special regime. The first legal lynx hunting trophy was recently taken in the Sharkovshchina hunting estate in the Vitebsk region. This decision comes after a review of the animal populations. Between 2021 and 2024, the bear population in Belarus fluctuated between 580 to 913 individuals, while lynx numbers ranged from 970 to 1,613 animals. Hunting is now permitted in specific regions where the bear population density exceeds 0.6 individuals per 1,000 hectares of habitat, and for lynxes, the density must be at least 0.35 individuals per 1,000 hectares of forest. The bear hunting season runs from July 1 to December 31, and the lynx season from October 1 to January 31. Lynx hunting is allowed during daylight hours using rifles, shotguns, or hunting dogs, under the supervision of a hunt leader. Lukashenko's decision to legalize lynx hunting, after nearly 40 years, has opened up new opportunities for hunters in Belarus. However, strict regulations ensure the sustainability of these animal kingdom populations, with hunting only permitted in regions where animal densities meet specific criteria.