The Bear Patrol has discovered three polar bear skulls, and the remains of four dead Atlantic walruses. The polar bears were most likely killed by poachers. “The Atlantic walrus, like the polar bear, is listed in the Red Data Book [for endangered species]. It is placed under protection and we are anxious about its disappearance. Vaigach Island, which lies between the mainland and the Novaya Zemlya Archipelago, is an extremely important territory for polar bear transit,” Head of the Bear Patrol Project Viktor Nikiforov said.

The patrol, which is made up of local residents of the Varnek settlement in the Nenets Autonomous Area, WWF experts, and the Council for Marine Mammals, found the dead animals on the island’s southern and western coast. According to Mr Nikiforov, despite the fact that the island is officially placed under protection and has its own regional nature preserve, polar bear poaching happens every year. “To change the situation, we must work more actively with the local population. We rely on our assistants, observers who are local residents,” Nikiforov said.