TWO GRANDMOTHERS ENTERED THE FOREST TO PICK MUSHROOMS — HOURS LATER, THEIR BODIES WERE FOUND JUST 16 FEET APART

Two elderly women went into a Siberian forest separately to pick mushrooms. Hours later, emergency crews discovered their bodies buried just feet apart — as a growing bear crisis sent the region into high alert.

What began as two ordinary trips into the forest quickly turned into one of the most disturbing wildlife incidents reported in the region this summer.

Galina Teterina, 73, and Zoya G., 67, had both gone mushroom picking near Podtyosovo in Russia’s Krasnoyarsk region.

They were not known to be travelling together.

But both women disappeared.

And when rescuers finally found them, their remains were reportedly buried in shallow ground only about 16 feet apart.

THE FIRST WOMAN DISAPPEARED

According to reports, Zoya G. is believed to have been the first victim.

Emergency responders reportedly suspect that a brown bear attacked her, then buried her remains in the forest.

Hours later, Galina apparently entered the same area.

That is where the mystery becomes even more disturbing.

A local resident suggested that Galina may have unknowingly approached the location where the first incident had occurred.

She may have encountered the animal — or possibly seen Zoya’s belongings or remains — before the bear attacked again.

However, this remains a local theory rather than a fully established account of what happened.

THEIR REMAINS WERE FOUND JUST FEET APART

The discovery shocked the local community.

The two women’s remains were reportedly found in separate shallow “graves” approximately 16 feet apart.

The unusual location has fueled speculation that the same predator may have been responsible for both incidents.

But authorities have not publicly established that both women were attacked by the same bear.

That distinction is important as investigators continue examining the circumstances.

THEN THE BEAR THREAT SPREAD

The two deaths came as Krasnoyarsk was already facing an unusually serious increase in bear encounters.

Authorities placed the city on a state of high alert because of the growing number of bear sightings within populated areas.

Officials said the emergency measures would allow city services and law enforcement to increase patrols, strengthen monitoring and respond more quickly when residents report predators nearby.

And the warning was not limited to remote forests.

On the same day, an aggressive young bear was reportedly dealt with near a school in the suburb of Yemelyanovo.

Students at Siberian Federal University were also reportedly told to remain inside their dormitories because of a bear threat.

WHY ARE BEARS MOVING CLOSER TO PEOPLE?

Experts and local officials have pointed to a major problem: food.

Bears in the region normally depend heavily on natural foods such as pine nuts and berries.

But drought and wildfires have contributed to poor yields, leaving animals with fewer food sources.

That has reportedly pushed hungry bears closer to populated areas in search of something to eat.

The situation has become so serious that bear-control officers in the wider Krasnoyarsk region have reportedly dealt with more than 120 “conflict” bears this year — more than twice the number recorded in 2025, according to reporting cited by the Daily Mail.

THIS WAS NOT THE ONLY HORROR THIS SUMMER

The latest incident follows another disturbing case in Siberia.

Last month, 29-year-old Snezhana Korolyova reportedly went camping with her fiancé in Russia’s Altai Mountains.

The couple had become engaged just one day earlier.

During the night, a bear reportedly entered their tent and dragged Snezhana away.

She did not survive.

The incident added to growing concerns about encounters between bears and people across parts of Siberia.

A REGION ON EDGE

For residents around Krasnoyarsk, the latest incidents have transformed the usual warning about wildlife into something much more immediate.

A trip into the forest to collect mushrooms — an ordinary seasonal activity for many locals — can now carry a frightening risk.

The discovery of Galina and Zoya only feet apart has made the danger impossible to ignore.

Officials are increasing patrols.

Residents are being warned about sightings.

Schools and universities have faced restrictions when bears are reported nearby.

And authorities are watching closely as hungry wildlife continues moving closer to human communities.

Two women entered the forest looking for mushrooms.

They never came home.

Now, an entire region is being told to watch the tree line — because the next bear encounter could happen far closer to home.