"The invasion" of polar bears hungry and aggressive causes concern in an archipelago of the Russian Arctic

The New Zealand Arctic Archipelago, located in northeastern Russia and home to some 3,000 people, is alarmed by the "invasion" since December of tens of aggressive polar bears, explained Saturday the regional authorities.

"I have been living in New Zembla since 1983 and have never witnessed such a mbadive invasion of polar bears.", said in a statement the head of the administration of the archipelago, Jigancha Mousin.

Some 52 polar bears walk frequently in Beluchia Guba, the largest city of this archipelago where There is a Russian military base. In some cases, the animals have "aggressive behaviour", said Alexander Minaiev, the deputy chief of administration in the statement.

"They attack people and enter homes and service buildings. Between six and ten bears are permanently on the territory of the city, "he warned.

In social networks have been reported in recent days of multiple publications of encounters with wild animals, even at home.

According to Minaiev, "people are afraid to leave home, parents are afraid to let their children go alone to school"

Polar bears have been affected by global warming and melting of the Arctic, forcing them to spend more time off the ice looking for food.

In Russia, they are clbadified as endangered species and are forbidden to chase them.

At present, authorities are trying to expel polar bears with patrol vehicles and dogs. "But these measures do not have the desired effect," the statement said.

(With information from AFP)