Bear in the Big City: Vilnius on Edge Over an Unexpected Visitor

An unprecedented tension is gripping the Lithuanian capital. Residents are sharing dashcam footage and social media posts about a bear roaming freely, first in the suburbs and then on the streets of Vilnius itself. Authorities and experts are sounding the alarm, urging citizens to exercise extreme caution.

First Sightings: A Predator in the Suburbs

It all began on Saturday, June 14, when residents of the Vilnius district started reporting bear sightings. “My husband and I were driving through Avižieniai and saw a bear run across the road,” one eyewitness told LRT.lt. Shortly after, the animal was spotted on Žiburio Street, directly between residential houses. The news that a wild predator was so close to the capital quickly spread through local communities, causing both surprise and concern.

A Nocturnal Visit to the Capital

The situation escalated on the night of Sunday, June 15. At 1:42 AM, the Environmental Protection Department received a call from an English-speaking man who reported a bear running along Ateities Street towards the forest. Later, video evidence emerged: a car’s dashcam recorded the animal on one of the city’s main traffic arteries – Ukmergės Street. It became clear: the bear was within the city limits, posing a serious threat.

Experts: “This is Not a Frightened Moose, but a Dangerous Predator”

The Lithuanian Hunters and Fishermen’s Society issued a stark statement, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. According to them, a bear wandering through the city for two days is under immense stress, making its behavior unpredictable and extremely dangerous. “In such a state, a bear can be dangerous, and this is no longer amusing news, but a serious problem,” their address stated.

The hunters have called on the Environmental Protection Department to take immediate action: deploy drones with thermal imagers to locate the animal, tranquilize it to assess its health, and, if it is healthy, return it to its natural habitat. They also offered to assist with their own resources.

What to Do If You Encounter the Bear?

Specialists strongly urge residents not to give in to panic or curiosity. If you see the bear, you must not chase it in a car or approach it. It is crucial to immediately report the animal’s location to the General Assistance Center by dialing 112 or directly to the Lithuanian Hunters and Fishermen’s Society.