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Rosneft Takes Part in Rescue of the Polar Bear in Norilsk
21 June 2019
A two-year female polar bear that came out to people in search of food was rescued in Norilsk with help of Rosneft Oil Company and the Wildlife Conservation and Research Society. Due to the severe physical exhaustion of the animal, the specialists had to perform an operation to save her as fast as possible.
Under the supervision of an experienced veterinarian and a zoologist, the 200-kilogram bear in a special cage was successfully transported to the Krasnoyarsk Park of flora and fauna “Roev Ruchey”, where an orphan polar bear cub Ursula already lives that was rescued with the Company’s help on Dickson Island in late 2018. Currently, Rosneft is building a new spacious enclosure for polar bears in the Krasnoyarsk park.
Since 2013, polar bears of all Russian zoos have been under the treatment of the Company. By now Rosneft provides management (nutritional wellbeing, veterinary attendance, and the environment fulfilment) of 32 polar bears: 15 grown-up females, 13 grown-up males, and four cubs under the age of two. Also, Rosneft has been implementing an integrated programme on the support and protection of polar bears that include rescuing and recovery management of young orphaned bears. The programme covers care for the animals in all zoos of Russia.
The rescued polar bear almost died of starvation and severe physical exhaustion. Trying to survive, the wild animal ate whatever she could find, including food from the local rubbish heap. It caused the dysfunction of her gastrointestinal tract, which, according to experts, is a dangerous condition for an animal.
Currently, the bear is receiving all the necessary treatment and healthy food. An enclosure in the quarantine section was prepared for her in the park “Roev Ruchey”. The wild animal will be held under the close supervision of doctors, who have all the necessary equipment at their disposal.
Note for Editors:
Rosneft pays special attention to the conservation and research of the polar bear. During its complex Arctic expeditions, Rosneft is carrying out research of polar bears, using advanced technology. Animals are marked with special collars fitted with satellite transmitters to track their routes; biological samples are being taken. The results of immunologic, microbiologic and molecular-genetic research of all the biological probes taken allow evaluating of grade and contents of anthropogenic substances in the polar bear organism, assessing of health state of different age-sex groups in varying habitats, and defining of the degree of studied individuals’ relationship. This research is a part of the Company’s polar bear support and protection programme, which involves fostering the animals in zoos all over the country.
According to the specialists’ research, there are from 22,000 to 31,000 polar bears across the globe nowadays. Polar bears inhabit all Arctic Basin including its shores and islands. There are no geographical boundaries for the species. The main factors determining its spreading are the marine ice, the existence of places suitable for birth lair making, and the food accessibility.
The following are some facts about the polar bear:
- The largest bear. Being the largest predator onshore, the polar bear can weight about 700 kilogram and reach 3 metres lengthwise.
- Thermal isolation. The polar bear’s fur is not actually white but transparent; the hair is hollow and filled with air that helps the animals to save heat better.
- New-born cubs about the size of a guinea pig. They come out of their lair 4-5 months following birth. The cubs will stay with their mother for about two years, during which they will learn the skills required for survival in the Arctic.
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June 21, 2019