In Siberia, unusually mild temperatures have changed the face of winter. The surface of the lakes, covered by a thin layer of snow, seemed stable enough to allow migrating roe deer to cross. But the sudden melting of the snow transformed that white blanket into ice as smooth as glass, preventing the animals from getting up once they slipped. Some lay motionless, others tried in vain to find their balance, sliding out of control.
The alarm of local fishermen
Among the first to intervene was fisherman Ilya Zaytsev, who described the scene as “terrible” while he filmed the lying and frightened roe deer. With the help of other residents, he began loading the animals onto sleds, dragging them towards the shore. The phenomenon did not concern just one lake: in the areas of Karasuk, Khoroshoye, Krasnoye and other reservoirs of the Novosibirsk region, hundreds of ungulates were immobilized.
The uncertain balance of the bailouts
The authorities confirmed the recovery of over 300 roe deer, also thanks to the arrival of emergency teams and a hovercraft, used to reach the most unstable surfaces. However, fishermen and hunters in the area claim that the number of animals involved is much higher and that not all of those brought ashore are actually safe.
Many, too debilitated or with damaged tendons, were no longer able to get back on their feet despite the efforts of the rescuers. The region’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology has responded to the accusations by saying that the deaths of several hundred animals are false. While admitting that there were losses, thanks to the efforts of volunteers, most of the specimens were saved.
But this is not enough to calm the controversy. According to local hunters, migration management should have been monitored more carefully. The anticipated migration had already been evident for weeks and, they said, would have required prior coordination by the Ministry of Natural Resources. They also complained that official interventions were concentrated on just one lake, leaving other sites without adequate assistance.
View this post on Instagram
You might also be interested in:
