Russian scientists trapped by polar bears receive emergency supplies

Five Russian meteorologists at a remote weather station in the Arctic are currently being besieged by about 10 polar bears for nearly two weeks on Troynoy island.

A passing ship has delivered flares and dogs to the station to help fend off the beasts, Xinhua news agency reported on Thursday.

The station's head Vadim Plotnikov said that a female bear has been spending nights under the station's windows with a cub.

The explorers had run out of flares and one scientist's dog was killed, thus they had to abandon some observation work and remained trapped inside.

According to Vassiliy Shevchenko, the head of the Sevgidromet State Monitoring Network that owns the station, similar incidents have happened before on the island, as "bears inhabit the area and people work there".

Russian Natural Resources Minister Sergei Donskoi has ordered officials to take actions to ensure the safety of the station's personnel and also adopt necessary measures to protect the animals.

According to the World Wildlife Foundation, polar bears are considered vulnerable species.

Polar bear hunting has been banned in Russia since 1957.

The biggest threat to the animals currently was the loss of their habitat due to climate change.

--IANS

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