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Russia's Krasnoyarsk Zoo steps up efforts to save polar bears
CGTN
00:40

Krasnoyarsk Zoo in Russia's Eastern Siberia region is stepping up efforts to save polar bears, which are on the brink of extinction due to the impact of climate change.

Modern zoos have become an important base for scientific work, with a large number of zoologists contributing in efforts to safeguard dwindling animal species.

Georgy Belyanin is the chief veterinarian of Krasnoyarsk Zoo, and believes his job is a special calling to save polar bears from extinction.

"The job is amazing. Even in the position of a common veterinarian at the zoo, it's still meaningful. The work here is very interesting, as we can contact wild animals with interesting physiological features," he said.

Belyanin is tasked with treating various kinds of animals. He does ultrasound diagnostics, X-ray examinations, and endoscopy.

The zoo is home to a large number of animal species. It has lions, tigers, brown bears, white-clawed bears and polar bears. The two polar bears named Martha and Ursula were saved from the Arctic region. Belyanin took part in their rescue.

"Ursula was taken out of Dikson Town. She stayed there for several days and frightened the locals. And Martha came to Norilsk City and lived there in near garbage heaps. It was a terrible sight. Animals should live in the wild. But it walked next to the excavator, which is used to move garbage, and wandered through piles of garbage, among discarded bottles and bags. It walked with such a detached look in search of food, barely reacting to external stimuli. It was a horrible picture," said the vet.

Now the two bears are in good condition under the thoughtful care of zookeepers and experts. The zoo is also planning to open a rescue center for the species struggling to survive climate change.

"Now all our bears are in a satisfactory condition. They are well-fed, they have their own diet, they are under the supervision of specialists. We hope to establish a polar bear rescue center in Krasnoyarsk. We have necessary equipment. We have experience. Although not much, it helps," said Belyanin.

Belyanin believes that the conservation of rare animal species is critical to the common destiny of the human race.

"Save polar bears is a great and significant cause that is closely linked with the destiny of mankind. The mission binds us together. We all live on the same planet and we must save rare animals for all people, all nations. My work is closely related to the community with a shared future for mankind. Krasnoyarsk Zoo plays an active part in saving polar bears," said Belyanin.

He calls for joint efforts of zoos across the globe to save rare animals from the wild and contribute to shared future for mankind.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com.)

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