The Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area studies polar bears using advanced methods such as tracking collars. Experts from the Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution at the Russian Academy of Sciences have been studying this issue in various regions of the Russian Arctic, but not on Yamal.

“Using tracking collars, we can study how polar bears move around, which shows how they adapt to climate changes, because it is the main factor for the population of this predator,” said Academician Vyacheslav Rozhnov, director of the Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution.

According to Rozhnov, the expedition has already managed to put collars on two female bears near Yamal. This will allow scientists to monitor the animals’ location and compare it with changes in the ice conditions in the Arctic.

Andrei Baryshnikov, director of the Russian Centre for Arctic Development, noted that anesthesiologists immobilised the animals before putting collars on them. According to the expert, the main difficulty was that bears walk along the shore, but swim away as soon as they sense danger. After being shot with a tranquiliser dart, an animal can retreat into the water and drown. It is also difficult to carry the sleeping bear ashore, so scientists prefer not to take the risk and act only if an animal is completely safe, Baryshnikov said.