Inspectors Accused of Illegal Bear Killings for Profit on Altai
Russian authorities are investigating allegations that wildlife inspectors on the Altai region illegally killed over 10 bears, allegedly for profit from their body parts, after a bear attack in Artybash resulted in a woman's death. Evidence includes videos showing inspectors drinking alcohol and discussing the removal of bile, paws, and heads.
Consensus
- Wildlife inspectors in the Altai region are accused of illegally killing bears.
- The killings allegedly occurred after a bear attack in Artybash that resulted in a woman's death.
- Videos and photos have surfaced showing inspectors drinking alcohol and handling bear carcasses.
- Inspectors are accused of selling bear bile, paws, and heads on the black market.
- The Fund 'World of Bears' has filed complaints with the Investigative Committee and the General Prosecutor's Office.
- Bear bile is valued at around $2,000 per ounce, paws at $4,000 per set, and heads at $3,000.
- One bear could yield up to $9,000 in profit.
- Local residents reported that about 30 bears were killed during such operations.
- The official number of bears killed is over 10, according to authorities.
- The bear responsible for the attack is believed to have been among those killed.
Points of divergence
- The inspectors were reported to the Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia, Alexander Bastykin. — riamo
- The incident occurred on August 19 at a tourist base in Artybash, where a bear attacked and killed a 29-year-old woman. — vesti
- The Fund 'World of Bears' is demanding the exact coordinates of the shooting sites and the fate of the extracted body parts. — riamo
- The bear attack happened at night, and the victim was dragged into the forest by the bear. — vesti
Coverage (2 sources)
- Poachers made millions of rubles from bear remains in Altai — РИАМО
- "About 30 have already been killed": animal rights activists sound the alarm over bear shooting in Altai — Вести
Key entities
- Altai
- SHOT
- Russia
- Telegram channel
- Investigative Committee
- Alexander Bastrykin
- Telegram channel Shot
- Andrey Ivanov
- Turuchak District
- World of Bears
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