By George Stephens • Published: 07 Dec 2019 • 11:43
Credit Twitter
A village in Russia has been bombarded by more than 50 starving polar bears forced to hunt for food in land due to melting sea ice.
Ryrkaypiy, on the Kozhevnikov Cape in the remote Chukotka area, is now being monitored by a special patrol team, with dedicated buses organised to take children to and from school and nursery under fear of bear attacks.
Public events have also been called off because of the “bear invasion”, Russia’s branch of the wildlife charity said, adding that “massive gatherings” of the animals are becoming more frequent due to climate change.
Tatyana Minenko, in charge of the village’s bear patrol, said: “Almost all the bears are thin. There are both adult and young animals, including cubs of different ages with their mums.”
Ryrkaypiy has a population of about 800 residents, and they are all on alert due to the masses of bears coming into their village although bears are common in their area but not at these levels and not in starving temperament.
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