Siberia Economy

Old Russian adage: When the wolves begin to multiply, expect misfortune. In the past two years, the wolves of the steppes and woods of the Omsk region in western Siberia have more than tripled their numbers, devouring scarce game and worrying rangers. The reason for their growth is simple; the government could no longer afford to pay bounties to local hunters for killing about 100 wolves a year, the slaughter that balances predator and prey.

Old Russian adage: When the wolves begin to multiply, expect misfortune. In the past two years, the wolves of the steppes and woods of the Omsk region in western Siberia have more than tripled their numbers, devouring scarce game and worrying rangers. The reason for their growth is simple; the government could no longer afford to pay bounties to local hunters for killing about 100 wolves a year, the slaughter that balances predator and prey.