Nearly 60 polar bears have been stranded on the Arctic coast near a remote village in Russia's Far East after warm winter weather hampered their hunting routine.

The animals are irritated because they are ready to leave the area and start hunting in the deep sea, but ice is too thin, said Malakhova.

Around 20 bears have surrounded Ryrkaypiy attracted by the walruses that recently appeared at a special protected area. Several hundred frightened walrus fell to their deaths and the polar bears then ate the carcasses.

Thinning sea ice has driven more than 50 polar bears ashore on an Arctic archipelago in northern Russia, causing chaos for the local population.