Exhausted polar bear turns up in Russian village
Experts think the bear traveled such a far way by drifting there on an ice floe.
(Web Desk) – Estimated two year old polar bear was spotted in Tilichiki, a Russian village. Bear has been spotted roaming around in the village which is believed to be 434 miles away from his home in Chukotka.
Experts think the bear traveled such a far way by drifting there on an ice floe.
The bear "is exhausted, not aggressive," Alina Ukolova, who saw the bear, told CNN.
Those who have seen the bear have reportedly welcomed the bear to the neighborhood by feeding it fish. This, evidently, helped.
"Today it felt better and went hunting," Ukolova said.
Experts say the bear, which at this stage in development would typically be near its mother, ended up in Tilichiki because of climate change.
"Due to climate change, the Arctic is getting warmer, hunting environment gets smaller and less convenient," Vladimir Chuprov of Greenpeace told the Associated Press. "The ice is receding, and polar bears look for new ways to survive. And the easiest way is coming to people."
A plan has been set in motion to execute a rescue mission this week. Authorities in Kamchatka are mobilized to sedate the bear and airlift it back to Chukotka, according to the AP.
