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The LEO Network is a worldwide network of observers and experts that share their observations of environmental change.
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Observations

Bear attacks man in public toilet in Japan
Incident north of Tokyo comes after a record 13 deaths from bear attacks in Japan since the start of April
Maebashi, Gunma, Japan

School field trip in Bella Coola turns into fight for survival as grizzly injures students, teacher
A grizzly bear charged a Grade 4–5 class from Acwsalcta School near the Bella Coola River, seriously injuring three students and a teacher; others sustained minor injuries. Authorities are searching for the bear and urging residents to avoid nearby forested areas and travel only by vehicle.
Bella Coola, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver Sun

Sled dogs got loose and killed seven reindeer in Alta
Five sled dogs escaped near Jotka in Alta and chased a reindeer herd for up to two hours, leaving seven reindeer dead before owners and a herder regained control. Police have been notified, and the herder seeks an amicable settlement with the dog owners for losses and roundup costs.
Alta, Troms og Finnmark, Norway
NRK

Stranded pilot whale rescued in Cow Bay, Nova Scotia
A young long-finned pilot whale stranded in Cow Bay, Nova Scotia, was stabilized and refloated by the Marine Animal Response Society and local volunteers, then guided to deeper water with help from a Jet Ski. The animal swam away strongly, and responders urged the public to report such incidents rather than attempt rescues themselves.
Cow Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada
PNI Atlantic News

Capercaillie touring central Överkalix: “Fun to experience”
A capercaillie has been roaming around central Överkalix for several weeks, surprising residents. A local photographer captured the bird on camera as a bird expert offers possible explanations for the unusual urban visit.
Överkalix, Norrbotten County, Sweden
NSD (Norrländska Socialdemokraten)

Polar bear mother and cub enter residential area in Dikson
A polar bear with a cub has been frequenting residential areas in Dikson amid anomalously warm weather and lack of sea ice. Authorities advise residents not to approach or feed the bears as Rosprirodnadzor monitors the situation.
Dikson, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia
Taimyrsky Telegraf

Two bears encountered outside home; one attacks and injures man in Akita City
A 65-year-old man was injured after being attacked by one of two bears he encountered outside his home in Akita City’s Iijima area early on November 3. Police say the incident occurred around 5:30 a.m. within the residence’s premises.
Akita City, Akita Prefecture, Japan
TBS NEWS DIG

Polar bear killed after 6 visits to Grise Fiord
A polar bear repeatedly entered Grise Fiord over four days, including after Halloween. After non-lethal deterrents failed, a local hunter shot and harvested the bear on Monday night.
Grise Fiord, Nunavut, Canada
Nunatsiaq News

Residents in Fort McPherson, N.W.T., urged to take precautions after 3 wolf sightings
Three wolves have been frequenting Fort McPherson, N.W.T.; one was shot this week and two remain. Authorities urge residents to leash and vaccinate dogs, avoid leaving food outside, and note rabies risks; traps have been set for the remaining wolves.
Fort McPherson, Northwest Territories, Canada
CBC News

Fox tests positive for rabies in Arviat
A fox euthanized after abnormal behaviour in Arviat, Nunavut, has tested positive for rabies, prompting health officials to warn residents to report unusual animal behaviour and seek immediate care after bites or scratches.
Arviat, Nunavut, Canada
Nunatsiaq News

Ducks extend the season: migratory birds linger at a Yamal resort
In Novy Urengoy, authorities and volunteers began rescuing a flock of ducks that failed to migrate before freezing weather, after the birds lingered on Lake Molodezhny. Locals also recalled a recently rescued mute swan now recovering en route to a rehabilitation center in Tyumen Oblast.
Novy Urengoy, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Russia
Yamal-Media

Whales flock to the herring
The vessel Beitir NK landed 700 tons of herring in Neskaupstaður, as skippers report many whales—especially orcas—converging on herring grounds and following the net to the ship. Recent catches suggest the herring has shifted north toward Bakkaflói.
Neskaupstaður, Austurland, Iceland
mbl.is

Bears caught on cam opening truck doors on North Slope
A group of brown bears in Deadhorse, Alaska, was filmed methodically opening parked truck doors in search of food before authorities guided them away. The incident highlights unusual bear behavior during the pre-hibernation period.
Deadhorse, North Slope Borough, Alaska, United States
Alaska’s News Source (KTUU)

2 hikers injured in bear attack on popular trail near Seward
Two hikers were injured after fighting off a brown bear about a quarter-mile up the Exit Glacier trail near Seward. The National Park Service closed the trail while troopers and biologists assess the area.
Seward, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Torngat Mountains visitor gets front row seat as black bear fights polar bear
An Icelandic visitor photographed a rare confrontation between a black bear and a mother polar bear on the northern tip of Labrador in the Torngat Mountains. The black bear approached a seal carcass being shared by two polar bear mothers and cubs and was driven off.
Torngat Mountains, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
CBC News

Video: Cod stomach found full of stones
An Icelandic deckhand was surprised to find a cod whose stomach was completely filled with small stones. The rare find occurred aboard the trawler Skinney SF 20 while fishing off East Iceland.
Höfn, Hornafjörður, Iceland
Morgunblaðið

Human Disturbance and Shorebird Decline in the Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary
Human disturbances, such as off-leash dogs and increased tourism, are causing a decline in shorebird populations at the Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary, disrupting their critical stopover habitat and reflecting broader global biodiversity challenges.
Oak Bay, British Columbia, Canada

State issues alert for toxic shellfish found in Kachemak Bay
Alaska health officials issued an alert after wild shellfish from Kachemak Bay’s inner bay tested above regulatory limits for paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins. Residents are warned not to harvest or eat untested wild shellfish; monitoring and test results are being posted by the Alaska Harmful Algal Bloom Network.
Homer, Alaska, United States
Homer News

Woman mauled by bear near her Kenai Peninsula home
A 36-year-old woman was seriously injured in a suspected brown bear attack near her home on Chinook Drive in Kenai early Tuesday. Authorities are searching for the bear and urging residents to stay vigilant and secure attractants.
Kenai, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Bear attacked a hunter in Posio — police say the hunt was legal
During a bear hunt in Posio, Finland, a bear attacked a hunter. Police said the hunt was legal; details were still limited as the investigation began.
Posio, Lapland, Finland
Lapin Kansa

Kittiwakes in Every Nook and Cranny: It Can't Be Easy to Sleep
A rooftop in Berlevåg is packed with common kittiwakes occupying every nook and cranny. The scene highlights seabirds’ increasing use of urban structures for roosting in coastal northern Norway.
Berlevåg, Troms og Finnmark, Norway
iFinnmark

Cougar family causing safety worries in Mesachie Lake
A mother cougar and two adolescent cubs have been repeatedly sighted in Mesachie Lake, B.C., since August, prompting safety concerns from residents. Conservation officers are monitoring the situation and advise precautions but say there’s no evidence of aggression toward people.
Mesachie Lake, British Columbia, Canada
Lake Cowichan Gazette

Mountain biker suffers minor injuries in cougar attack near Squamish, B.C.
A mountain biker was attacked by a cougar near Squamish, B.C., suffering minor injuries before scaring the animal off with rocks.
Squamish, British Columbia, Canada
CHEK News

Increased bear activity closes several East Anchorage trails
Officials have indefinitely closed about 2.5 miles of popular biking, running and hiking trails in Far North Bicentennial Park and the Campbell Tract in East Anchorage due to heightened brown bear activity around salmon streams.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Small Rodent Crash Triggers Crisis for Ptarmigan: Almost All Nests Plundered
On Varanger Peninsula, record low rodent numbers this summer forced predators like crows, gulls, foxes, and jaegers to raid nearly every ground nest, with only 6 of 94 nests surviving, and models predict a further 30% drop in willow ptarmigan in Finnmark.
Varanger Peninsula, Troms og Finnmark, Norway
NRK

Bear ravages Robert Severin's sheep flock
A brown bear has killed six sheep at a farm in Lakselv, Porsanger, and the farmer claims authorities are delaying permission to shoot the animal.
Lakselv, Porsanger, Norway
iFinnmark

2nd Anchorage-area hiker mauled by bear in under a week
A hiker near the South Fork of Eagle River was mauled by a bear feeding on salmon and sustained non-life-threatening injuries; it's the second attack in the Anchorage area in under a week.
Chugach State Park, Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

I swung my fist as hard as I could: Man recalls northwest B.C. cougar attack
A Smithers man reports punching a cougar in the face during an unexpected encounter near Lake Kathlyn on July 26, sustaining minor injuries before the animal fled; conservation officers are monitoring the area for further cougar activity.
Smithers, British Columbia, Canada
Yukon News

Bear attacked man in Allaikhovsky District
A brown bear attacked a man near the Elong River in Allaikhovsky District on 26 July 2025, causing serious injuries. The assault was sudden and unprovoked. Authorities have launched a cull to control the bear population and protect public safety.
Allaikhovsky District, Sakha Republic, Russia
Yakutia.Info

4-year-old child attacked by cougar near Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park
A 4-year-old child was attacked and injured by a cougar while hiking near Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park; the National Park Service is seeking witnesses.
Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park, Washington, United States
Spokesman-Review

Beached Seldovia whale returns alive to Kachemak Bay
A minke whale stranded on MacDonald Spit near Seldovia for six hours on July 17 but refloated with the rising tide and swam back into Kachemak Bay; the Seldovia Village Tribe suspects a toxic algal bloom disoriented the whale.
Seldovia, Alaska, United States
KBBI AM 890

Hiker bitten by bear
A hiker walking with their dog in Jarfjord, Sør-Varanger, was bitten in the arm by a bear and is now receiving medical treatment; authorities warn against approaching bears.
Jarfjord, Sør-Varanger, Norway
Altaposten

Dozens of Pilot Whales Stranded in Ólafsfjörður
Dozens of pilot whales were stranded in Ólafsfjörður on June 21, but ICE-SAR teams managed to refloat them and guide them safely back to open water.
Ólafsfjörður, Northeastern Region, Iceland
Iceland Monitor

Second Attempt Planned to Help Stranded Orca Return to Sea
Rescue teams in Reykjavík will make a second, high-tide effort this evening to nudge an orca stranded since Tuesday night in the shallow cove of the Grafarvogur neighbourhood back into open waters.
Reykjavík, Capital Region, Iceland
Iceland Review

Polar bear attacks and injures skier in Nunavut national park
A skier was evacuated to an emergency shelter before being transported by snowmobile to Pangnirtung’s health centre. The incident occurred early Thursday morning and the skier is receiving treatment, with no update on their condition.
Pangnirtung, Nunavut, Canada
CBC News

Nunavut caribou that attacked heavy equipment tests positive for rabies
A caribou in Nunavut, which unusually attacked heavy equipment, tested positive for rabies, prompting health officials to warn against handling or consuming meat from infected animals and to report any animals showing rabies symptoms.
Coral Harbour, Nunavut, Canada
Yukon News

White Bear Driven Away from Uelen Village for Over a Week
In Uelen, Chukotka, a volunteer 'Bear Patrol' has been driving away a white bear for over a week after its initial appearance on February 26, attracted by the scent of stored walrus meat. The bear’s recurring intrusion has raised concerns as Uelen lies along the polar bear migration route, and similar incidents have reportedly tripled compared to previous years.
Uelen, Chukotka, Russia
ProChukotku

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