Google News 09/25: Walrus sinks a Russian navy boat

Nature’s fury, incarnated

Off the northern shores of Russia lies Franz Josef Land, a glacial archipelago where flora and fauna have lived undisturbed by human affairs for thousands of years.

Its environment is frigid and hostile. Intense winds make for choppy waters, and winter temperatures can drop as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit. For about half the year an unrelenting midnight sun fills the sky; the other half is shrouded in polar night.

Despite this, the archipelago is home to a robust ecosystem. Polar bears, arctic foxes, and seals dot the jagged shores, seabirds fill the sky, and marine life inhabits the surrounding waters. While there isn’t enough soil for trees to grow, moss flourishes on the wet rocks.

Discovered during the age of exploration, this far-away landscape is now frequented by military personnel and scientists. But recently, a routine visit was foiled by a bizarre series of events involving a bold marine mammal.

Earlier this week, an expedition team deployed by the Russian navy attempted to land on a part of Franz Josef Land called Cape Heller. But midway through their operation, official reports allege that they were ambushed by a hostile walrus who managed to successfully sink their boat. Thankfully, a swift rescue…