Locals in the far northern Russian region believe between 60,000-80,000 animals might have died of starvation over the past few months. The tragedy follows the formation of a thick layer of ice across major parts of the Yamal tundra.
Usually polar bears feed on seals and young walruses, or scavenge the carcasses of whales. If these are in short supply they kill reindeer, muskox, geese and apparently, fox.
Weatherwatch A recent heatwave in Siberia’s frozen wastes has resulted in outbreaks of deadly anthrax and a series of violent explosions
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