A malnourished polar bear with several gunshot wounds was discovered partially paralysed in a ditch by rescuers who are battling hard to save its life.
On Dickson Island in the isolated Arctic Siberia, the malnourished and dehydrated female was discovered.
Disturbing video shows the injured animal, which was less than one-third of its proper weight, lying motionless and screaming for assistance from passersby.
A criminal inquiry has been started to find out how the animal was shot, and the animal has been transported to Moscow.
It’s unclear if the bear was shot in the rear by unlicensed hunters or because it posed a threat to people.
Furthermore, it is unknown how long ago the animal sustained the horrifying injuries.
A veterinarian who examined the animal came to the preliminary judgement that the bear had many wounds on its back and rear legs as a result of being shot with handmade buckshot.
The director of Russia’s environmental watchdog, Svetlana Radionova, declared: “Experts from the Moscow Zoo are battling for the unique animal’s survival.”
“It is difficult to foresee the result.”
The bear is shown on camera being loaded for transit to Moscow, receiving first aid, and travelling the 1,700 miles.
The beast attempted to escape its prison because it was distressed and perplexed.
Radionova said, “It was the citizens of Dikson who informed us about the injured female polar bear.” “The animal was discovered adjacent to the community.”
She said that bear hunting was prohibited and that a prosecution would proceed if it was shown that this was the cause of the injuries.
The three-year-old polar bear weighs around 60 kg, although it should weigh between 200 kg and 300 kg.
This implies that the beast was famished and had likely arrived in the community looking for food.