"A beautiful and desirable trophy." A costly Himalayan bear hunting trip was advertised on social media despite the ban.

To hunt a Himalayan bear that has taken up residence in a den near Khabarovsk, offered Moscow-based company Stalker Tour, although the official hunting season for this species closed on December 31, Kedr reports. 

The advert stated that the bear would make a "beautiful and desirable trophy, a jewel in any trophy room." The tour cost 800 rubles for two days. 

A zoologist interviewed by Kedr believes that permits for illegal hunting can be issued retroactively. 

After the publicity of the "Stalker Tour" apologized to his subscribers on his Telegram channel and stated that the offer would be valid "within the timeframe permitted by law." 

The Himalayan black bear is considered a rare species by biological standards, but legally it is not listed as such in Russia. It is not listed in the country's Red Data Book, but is included in some regional Red Data Books. In some areas of Primorye, it is more common than the brown bear, creating the illusion that this species is numerous. In fact, there are only 5-7 individuals in Russia.

Himalayan black bear hunting is permitted, but only between December 1 and 31 and only within annual quotas. Hunting bears in their dens is considered unethical. Scientists require restore the protected status of this animal species.