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Protective walrus mom sinks Russian navy boat in Arctic Sea
 [NYPost] A Russian navy boat embarking on a research expedition in the Arctic Sea sank after being attacked by a female walrus that was defending her young, according to reports Monday.The Altai, a tugboat operated by the Russian navy's Northern Fleet, carried researchers from the Russian Geographical Society and other expedition participants into waters near a remote island chain called Franz Josef Land in the Arctic Sea, Ars Technica reported. The boat dispatched a smaller inflatable landing craft in shallow waters off Wilczek Island to bring researchers ashore near Cape Heller. Before the boat could reach the beach, it was attacked by a female walrus that was probably "fearing for her cubs," according to a press release from the Russian Geographical Society. "The boat sank, but a tragedy was avoided thanks to the prompt action by the squad leader. All landing participants safely reached the shore," the press release said. A separate press release from the Russian navy confirmed the attack but did not say the boat sank, the Barents Observer reported. "During the landing at Cape Heller, a group of researchers had to flee from a female walrus who attacked an expedition boat when protecting her cub," the Northern Fleet wrote. "Serious troubles were avoided thanks to the clear and well-coordinated actions of the Northern Fleet servicemen, who were able to take the boat away from the animals without harming them." Arctic wildlife 1, Russians 0 Posted by: DarthVader 2019-09-25 |
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