In late March 2015, staff members of the Russian Interior Ministry’s Directorate for Economic Security and Combatting Corruption of the Nenets Autonomous Area found the pelt of a polar bear, a species listed in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation.

It was determined that the bear was killed by a resident of the village of Varnek on Vaygach Island. The pelt was found by police officers in a hunting cabin located on the coast of the Barents Sea 30 kilometres from the village.

Currently, investigators are working to locate the suspect. A criminal case has been opened under Section 1 of Article 258.1 of the Russian Criminal Code (poaching and selling particularly valuable wild animals and aquatic biological resources registered in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation and (or) protected by international treaties of the Russian Federation).

“This is the fourth case of polar bear poaching registered in this area,” head of the WWF Polar Bear Patrol project Viktor Nikiforov said. “According to reports, about 10-15 polar bear furs originate from this area each year. In spring 2014, we shut down this illegal pipeline. Significantly, other regions rely on the experience of the Nenets Autonomous Area in promptly responding to all cases involving the killing of this unique animal that is listed in Russia’s Red Data Book,” Nikiforov said.