Specialists from the Rosneft Arctic Research Center and the Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution at the Russian Academy of Sciences spent a month monitoring and studying the population of polar bears and the Atlantic subspecies of walrus.

The scientists examined 34 islands of the Franz Josef Land and Novaya Zemlya archipelagoes, as well as Viktoria Island on the northwestern border of the Russian Arctic territories.

Polar bears were studied at Cape Zhelaniya (Novaya Zemlya archipelago). Four animals were examined using the method of remote immobilisation, which does not pose a threat to their life and health. Two females were put in satellite collars, which will allow scientists to remotely track the migration routes of the bears.

The research, which incorporated best world practices, will allow the scientists to expand and update data on the population of the studied species and develop measures for their protection.

The expedition was organised by Rosneft as part of its corporate programme to preserve the biodiversity of the Arctic ecosystems.