Starving polar bear found in ditch barely moving with gunshot wounds

Harrowing moment starving polar bear is found in a ditch barely able to move with multiple gunshot wounds in remote Russian Arctic

  • The emaciated bear was found lying in pain almost immobile pleading for help
  • It is not clear if it was shot by hunters or by people defending themselves 
  • An investigation has been launched and the bear has been flown to Moscow 

A starving polar has been found half paralysed in a ditch with multiple gunshot wounds as rescuers desperately fight to save its life.

The emaciated and dehydrated female was found on Dickson Island in the remote Arctic Siberia.

Distressing footage shows how the wounded animal – less than one third of its correct weight – was lying in pain and almost immobile pleading for help from people.


A starving polar has been found half paralysed in a ditch with multiple gunshot wounds as rescuers desperately fight to save its life

The emaciated and dehydrated female was found on Dickson Island in the remote Arctic Siberia

The animal has been flown to Moscow and a criminal investigation has been launched to determine how it was shot. 

It is unclear if the bear was shot in the back because it endangered humans or by illegal hunters.

Nor is it known how long ago the animal suffered the appalling wounds.

The initial conclusion from a vet who examined the creature is that the bear was hit with homemade buckshot causing multiple wounds on the back and hind legs.

Distressing footage shows how the wounded animal was found less than one third of its correct weight


It is unclear if the bear was shot in the back because it endangered humans or by illegal hunters

The animal has been flown to Moscow and a criminal investigation has been launched to determine how it was shot

Svetlana Radionova, head of Russia’s environmental watchdog, said: ‘Moscow Zoo experts are fighting for the rare animal’s life.

‘It is hard to predict the outcome.’

Footage shows the bear before it was sedated and given first aid, loaded for transport to Moscow, and on its 1,700 mile journey.

Distressed and confused, the beast tried to break out of its cage.

It is not known for how long the animal has suffered the appalling wounds

The initial conclusion from a vet who examined the creature is that the bear was hit with homemade buckshot


Footage shows the bear before it was sedated and given first aid and loaded for transport

Distressed and confused, the beast tried to break out of its cage after suffering the horrific injuries

‘It was the residents of Dikson who told us about the wounded female polar bear,’ said Radionova. ‘The animal was found next to the settlement.’

She said hunting bears was illegal and if found to be the cause of the wounds, a prosecution would go ahead.

The weight of the three-year-old polar bear is around 60kg yet should be between 200kg and 300kg.

This suggests the beast was starving and had probably come to the village in search of food.

The bear is being taken on a 1,700-mile journey by plane to Moscow in an attempt to save its life

Hunting bears is illegal and if found to be the cause of the wounds, a prosecution would go ahead

The weight of the three-year-old polar bear is around 60kg yet should be between 200kg and 300kg

This suggests the beast was starving and had probably come to the village in search of food

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