Polar Bears Left Belushya Guba Settlement on Novaya Zemlya

Photo: Yaroslav Nikitin
Photo: Yaroslav Nikitin

Inhabitants of Belushya Guba on Novaya Zemlya complained of polar bears presence and now predators went away. Deputy director for scientific work of the national park "Russian Arctic", RGS member Ivan Mizin said that now almost all animals were hunting in the ice. Scientists counted about 20 individuals. Experts suggest that there are several reasons for the migration: the noise with which local authorities banished predators, and the formation of ice. Scientists have been observing the movement of animals and their behavior for several days since February 14, in order to make a decision to put down and force the “deportation” of polar bears to the remote edge of the island.

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Photo: Yaroslav Nikitin
Photo: Yaroslav Nikitin

The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is a predatory mammal of the Ursidae family, the sister species of the brown bear. It is the largest terricole predator of the planet.

According to the latest data (2013), the number of polar bears in Russia is estimated at 5–6 thousand individuals, the annual poaching shooting is 150–200 individuals. The species is in a vulnerable position, its population tends to decrease, the recovery processes in it are going very slowly (slow reproduction and frequent death of the young). The species is listed in the International Red Book and Red Book of the Russian Federation. Shooting of the polar bear is prohibited. Exceptions exist only for representatives of indigenous peoples, in whose culture is hunting for the animal.

Recall, due to the massive invasion of polar bears into the territory of settlements on the Novaya Zemlya archipelago on February 9, an emergency mode was introduced. 52 polar bears were counted in the area of Belushya Guba. There were cases of aggressive behavior of animals.

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Photo: facebook.com/nika.samotskaya
Photo: facebook.com/nika.samotskaya

Scientists explain this phenomenon by climate change, seasonal migration and the presence of open landfills. The situation on the ground is studied by a group of experts, formed by the Federal Service for Supervision of Nature Management.