Spray painted polar bear spotted in Russia

Stevicus · Dec 3, 2019

Spray-painted polar bear alarms wildlife experts

Footage shared on social media in Russia of a polar bear with "T-34" spray-painted in black on its side has alarmed experts.

Experts warned the stunt could affect the animal's ability to blend in with its surroundings and hunt for food.

An investigation is under way to determine exactly where in Arctic Russia the video was filmed.

The T-34 was a tank that played a vital role in the Soviet Union's defeat of Nazi Germany in World War Two.

The footage was posted on Facebook by Sergey Kavry, a member of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) nature organisation.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=2769434279773693

Mr Kavry said the video had been shared with a WhatsApp group for the indigenous people of the Chukotka region in Russia's Far East, and that scientists monitoring wildlife in the area would not have branded the bear in such a way.

Russian media speculated that the stunt was linked to local anger at a rise in the number of polar bears coming into communities in Arctic Russia.

In February, a state of emergency was declared in the Novaya Zemlya region over the appearance of dozens of polar bears in several towns and villages in the Arctic.

Footage from the archipelago showed the animals roaming through buildings and exploring populated areas.

The article also mentioned that the bear had to have been sedated in order for someone to spray paint it like that. I wonder who would do something like that. It's really a cruel stunt.

Stanyon · Dec 3, 2019

I wonder if vodka was involved, I mean who does that? My first thought maybe it was for some research and they tagged it albeit a pretty low rent way to do it.

beenherebeforeagain · Dec 3, 2019

I predict a new fad: Bear Painting...
Right up there with Cow Tipping...
And Getting the Kids' picture with a Bison...

Vinayaka · Dec 3, 2019

Stanyon said:
I wonder if vodka was involved, I mean who does that? My first thought maybe it was for some research and they tagged it albeit a pretty low rent way to do it.

A method of identification, so one could do it from the air, or from a safe distance, came to my mind as well.

Nakosis · Dec 3, 2019

Stanyon said:
I wonder if vodka was involved, I mean who does that? My first thought maybe it was for some research and they tagged it albeit a pretty low rent way to do it.

The article mentioned the T-34 was a russian tank. I 'd suspect someone did it for the jollies. I painted a pink strip on my neighbor black lab when I was 5. I was motivated by a Pepe Le Pew cartoon.

leov · Dec 3, 2019

Stevicus said:
Spray-painted polar bear alarms wildlife experts

The article also mentioned that the bear had to have been sedated in order for someone to spray paint it like that. I wonder who would do something like that. It's really a cruel stunt.

They say there was a bear infestation in some Russian towns, so many bears were removed from towns , marked during removal, somebody was not very smart doing marking or just had a bad sense of humor.
(T-34 model of famous Russian tank during WWII), hopefully paint is not permanent (as article claims). Nobody shoots polar bears there, against the law.
Белый медведь с патриотичной надписью на боку гуляет по Чукотке. И шлёт привет любителям наклеек «На Берлин!»

Dan From Smithville · Dec 3, 2019

Stanyon said:
I wonder if vodka was involved, I mean who does that? My first thought maybe it was for some research and they tagged it albeit a pretty low rent way to do it.

Are you suggesting the bear got drunk on vodka and his buddies talked him into getting a tattoo? It happens. At least he didn't wake up with a missing tooth and a stripper bride.

Dan From Smithville · Dec 3, 2019

Nakosis said:
The article mentioned the T-34 was a russian tank. I 'd suspect someone did it for the jollies. I painted a pink strip on my neighbor black lab when I was 5. I was motivated by a Pepe Le Pew cartoon.

Now that you put that out there, it will be the next big thing. With people posting pictures of their pink painted puppies purposely posed as passionate pole cats. Oh the humanity.

Spray painted polar bear spotted in Russia

Stevicus

Veteran Member

Stanyon

WWMRD?

beenherebeforeagain

Rogue Animist

Vinayaka

devotee

Nakosis

Non-Binary Physicalist

leov

Well-Known Member

Dan From Smithville

What we've got here is failure to communicate.

Dan From Smithville

What we've got here is failure to communicate.