Polar bears have picnic

Polar bears have invaded a town on a remote Russian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean, forcing local authorities to declare a state of emergency. At least 52 bears have been seen around Belushya Guba on Novaya Zemlya since December. Between six and 10 roamed through the streets at any one time, frightening residents, officials said at the weekend. Official Alexander Minayev said that there had been ‘‘cases of aggressive behaviour, attacks on people’’. Pictures and video from the town of 2000 people showed bears wandering past homes and padding through a children’s playground. Polar bears are protected in Russia and cannot be shot without government permission.