According to an FCS Russia press release, Sakhalin customs officers found four paws of a Himalayan bear on a vessel that arrived from Busan, Republic of Korea.
The ship docked at Korsakov after scheduled repairs abroad. The wrapped parts were found in a domestic refrigerator in the engine room; a crew member had bought them at a market and provided no paperwork.
Examination confirmed the paws belonged to the Himalayan bear, a threatened species protected under CITES. Movement is allowed only with permission from Rosprirodnadzor and prior customs declaration.
Two administrative cases were opened: under Article 16.2(1) (failure to declare) and Article 16.3 (breach of prohibitions and restrictions), with possible fines and confiscation.
