The Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution at the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) and the RAS Permanent Expedition for the Study of Red Data Book Animals and Other Important Wildlife in Russia are planning to conduct a number of research expeditions in 2020 to study the polar bear in the Russian Arctic. The Severtsov Institute will be working with support from the Russian Geographical Society (RGS), the RAS Presidium Arctic programme, and the Rosneft Oil Company. The expeditions were announced by Ilya Mordvintsev (PhD in Biology), the leading scientific associate at the Severtsov Institute.

 

Under a comprehensive programme for preventing human-polar bear conflicts on Novaya Zemlya archipelago, researchers plan to study the adult polar bear population including its numers in the township of Belushya Guba on Yuzhny Island. Researchers will catch and mark polar bears and take biological samples.

As part of scientific cooperation with the Russian Arctic National Park and with Rosneft support, researchers plan to conduct an expedition in July to Cape Zhelaniya on Severny Island on Novaya Zemlya archipelago.

Researchers will estimate the distribution of the polar bear population there, study their diet during ice-free periods, catch and mark them and take biological samples.  They will also carry out ship-based observations and record meetings of sea mammals in the Barents and Kara seas.

From August through September, researchers plan to use aviation to monitor polar bear activity in the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area and on the islands during this ice-free period.

A second stage of monitoring will be held in the township of Belushya Guba on Novaya Zemlya in October through November under the programme for preventing human-polar bear conflicts on Novaya Zemlya archipelago .

The expedition dates may be adjusted depending on the pandemic situation and quarantine restrictions, Mordvintsev noted.