Russia's hungry bears dig up graves for food

[October 28, 2010]  MOSCOW (AP) -- Famished bears in northern Russia have resorted to digging up graves in cemeteries -- and reportedly eating at least one body -- after a scorching summer destroyed their natural food sources of forest berries and mushrooms.

Russian officials in the republic of Komi, which straddles the Arctic Circle, told The Associated Press on Thursday that brown bears have on several occasions dug up coffins in rural cemeteries in a desperate search for food.

A top-selling daily newspaper, the Moskovsky Komsomolets, reported that one body was devoured in a village in Komi.

Last summer was Russia's hottest on record, with raging forest fires and droughts wiping out woodland and crops. With the winter hibernation period approaching, the country's bears are desperate to build up their fatty reserves.

[Associated Press]

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