Bears trap geologists in Russia
- added July 23, 2008
- 9 responses
-
-
-
- goldenways
- added this
-
At least 30 hungry bears have trapped a group of geologists at their remote survey site in Russia's far east after killing two of their co-workers last week.
The team of geologists on Russia's seismically active Kamchatka peninsula refused to leave their camp after the bears showed up, a spokesman for the region's emergency services ministry said.
He said: "In the interests of safety they didn't come out to work - the people are scared by the invasion of bears."
A bear killed two geologists at the worksite on July 18, officials said.
Authorities on Kamchatka, nine time zones east of Moscow on the Pacific Ocean, said this year was remarkable for either too many bears or not enough fish.
"Either way there is not enough food," the spokesman said.
Rampant fish poaching in the empty tundra of Russia's farthest reaches sends hungry bear populations into populated centres every year, attracted to the food-rich garbage humans leave behind.
Officials said a helicopter ferrying officials and hunters could not fly in bad weather, but an all-terrain vehicle was on its way to the camp.
It would then await government approval to shoot the bears.
The spokesman added: "It looks like a shoot by the hunters won't take place today as there is still no permission.
"As soon as we get the document from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky the hunters can get to work."
As many as 16,000 native brown bears, cousins of the American Grizzly, live on Kamchatka, an area twice the size of Britain.
An adult male can weigh 1,500 lbs (700kg) and stand 10ft (three metres) tall.
The team of geologists on Russia's seismically active Kamchatka peninsula refused to leave their camp after the bears showed up, a spokesman for the region's emergency services ministry said.
He said: "In the interests of safety they didn't come out to work - the people are scared by the invasion of bears."
A bear killed two geologists at the worksite on July 18, officials said.
Authorities on Kamchatka, nine time zones east of Moscow on the Pacific Ocean, said this year was remarkable for either too many bears or not enough fish.
"Either way there is not enough food," the spokesman said.
Rampant fish poaching in the empty tundra of Russia's farthest reaches sends hungry bear populations into populated centres every year, attracted to the food-rich garbage humans leave behind.
Officials said a helicopter ferrying officials and hunters could not fly in bad weather, but an all-terrain vehicle was on its way to the camp.
It would then await government approval to shoot the bears.
The spokesman added: "It looks like a shoot by the hunters won't take place today as there is still no permission.
"As soon as we get the document from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky the hunters can get to work."
As many as 16,000 native brown bears, cousins of the American Grizzly, live on Kamchatka, an area twice the size of Britain.
An adult male can weigh 1,500 lbs (700kg) and stand 10ft (three metres) tall.
-
-
-
-
- goldenways
- 1 month ago
-
Once again, humans to blame. If we weren't so greedy, the damn place wouldn't be over-fished.
Overpopulation is the REAL problem here. Poor bears. Just eat those guys, lower the population a little.
haha (kidding) -
poor bears, they dont have enough food.
-
What are these geologist studying ? Is it so important that they can't be evacuated? The bears are just trying to make a living as every species on earth is. I am a carnivore and a hunter and fisher but I eat what I shoot and catch. My condolences to the families of the two people who were killed.
-
-
-
-
- bluestranger
- 1 month ago
-
-
survival of the fittest.
-
See? Colbert was right. Bears have always been #1 on Threat Down for a reason.
-
thats sad for the ones who were killed . but at the same time its even sadder for the bears. they are only following thier survival skills.. my heart goes out to the family members whom lost thier loved ones
-
Lets send W up there jan 25 2009
-
-
-
-
- TexasPatriot67
- 1 month ago
-
Login/Registration is required to add a response.
