
Russian islands declare emergency over polar bear `invasion`
Lots of polar bears have been spotted in a remote part of Russian Federation called the Novaya Zemlya islands, home to a few thousand people. "A total of 50 polar bears are near the human settlements so we have loads of work ahead".
"People are scared. They are frightened to leave homes, and their daily routines are broken", Minayev said.
There are reports that the bears are facing a cull, despite polar bears being listed as a threatened species - the worldwide population is estimated at 26,000. But the hunting is barred on the Russian island chain of Novaya Zemlya, which includes Belushya Guba, a restricted military zone with several small settlements adjacent to bases but no native inhabitants.
The head of the local administration Zhigansha Musin said that the numbers of polar bears were unprecedented.
It is thought that rising global temperatures have contributed to a reduction in the size of the polar bears' sea-ice habitats, forcing them onto land for longer periods of time.
More news: Theresa May offers ministers 'meaningful vote' if no Brexit dealMore news: New Images of Ultima Thule Shock NASA Scientists
More news: Google plans to give the Pixel 4 this 2018 Apple iPhone feature
The worrying migration of bears began late past year when the animals started to flock to the settlements of Novaya Zemlya en masse, seeking food at local dumps and harassing residents and their pets. "Parents are afraid to let the children go to school or kindergarten".
Since December 52 polar bears have regularly visited the archipelago's main settlement, Belushya Guba, with some displaying "aggressive behaviour".
"I've been on Novaya Zemlya since 1983 and there's never been such a mass invasion of polar bears", he told regional officials. Photos and videos posted over the weekend show the bears traipsing through empty schoolyards and even infiltrating the corridors of office buildings in search of food.
Local officials complained that measures to scare off polar bears such as vehicle and dog patrols have not been effective as polar bears feel secure and no longer react.
In January, a defence ministry official said that hundreds of disused military buildings had been demolished on Novaya Zemlya because polar bears were settling inside them.
Recommended News
-
Iran's Islamic Revolution Meant "40 Years Of Failure": Trump Advisor
Today, the United States, its Arab allies and Israel are trying to counter Tehran's growing influence in the Middle East, where it has proxies in Syria, Lebanon and Yemen.Offset’s New Album Trailer Has Footage Of Cardi B Giving Birth
Cardi B couldn't contain her emotions after her seven-month old daughter Kulture Kiari said "Mama" for the first time. The 26-year-old musician is yet to publicly comment on the lip-syncing claims.Samsung Galaxy M30 renders leaked: Looks a lot like the Galaxy M20
It is pretty evident from the leaked renders of the Galaxy M30 that the device looks a lot like the Galaxy M20 for the most part. Not that that will be a mystery for much longer, as the Galaxy S10's official launch will be upon us in just a few days . -
Carragher: Critics harsh on 'remarkable' Liverpool
We now take a look at the pivotal matches of the recently concluded round of matches in the most exciting league in the planet. When the team doesn't play well, people look at you because you're the new player.Jeremy Lin plans to sign with Raptors after getting bought out
Everyone competes in this league, but I think there is a pocket of guys that go above and beyond that. The 30-year-old is averaging 10.7 points on a career-best 59.4 percent true shooting this season.Trump Supporters Form Human ‘Wall’ Along U.S.-Mexico Border
In her penned letter to the White House, Escobar asked the president to apologize to the residents of the city for the comments. The sit-down will focus on Trump's pursuit of funding for a border wall ahead of the February 15 budget deadline. -
England World Cup-winner Gordon Banks dies aged 81
We are devastated to lose him but we have so many happy memories and could not have been more proud of him . England's 1966 World Cup hero Geoff Hurst said: "Very sad to hear the news that Gordon has died".Gervonta Davis knocks out Hugo Ruiz to retain junior lightweight title
Davis had been originally scheduled to fight Abner Mares but he was forced to withdraw with an eye injury. He reportedly earnt more than £60 million for his fight against Nasukawa in December.Meghan Markle: 'Dad broke my heart into million pieces'
Mr Markle has since threatened to release more of the letter which has been published across the world. Markle's mother, Doria Ragland divorced Thomas Markle when the Duchess was just two years old. -
New Zealand PM: Air NZ flight incident will not impact China ties
According to sources "the Chinese were very explicit" about what the issue was, however the issue was not resolved. Air New Zealand did not immediately respond to further questions on the incident.Meghan Markle's estranged father reveals letter she sent him
Meghan also addressed her relationship with half-sister Samantha Markle: "I pleaded with you to stop reading the tabloids. The letter shows how Meghan , 37, begged him to stop his "painful" attacks on her "kind and patient" husband.Scotland forward Ryan Wilson out for the remainder of Six Nations
Scotland, who beat Italy in their Six Nations opener, next face France in Paris on February 23. It was disappointing, he chipped ahead and got sandwiched between two players.