MOSCOW, August 11 (RIA Novosti) - Border officials in Chukotka, Russia's Far East, discovered over 800 walrus carcasses believed to have been killed by poachers for their valuable tusks, a Russian natural resources ministry spokesman said.
The carcasses were found with gunshot wounds on the coastline of the Chukotka Peninsula near the Chegitun River on Friday. Officials believe that the mammals were killed around two to four weeks ago.
"This act of barbarity must not remain unpunished," said Amirkhan Amirkhanov, deputy director of the ministry's national environment policy department.
During the summer, walrus colonies inhabit many parts of Chukotka and at a few remote areas in Alaska. In winter, they can be also seen in eastern Kamchatka and the Commander Islands.
