The hunt, officials here and in Moscow said, could resume as soon as this year or next, once a census is carried out and an annual quota that would not threaten the bears is set.

• 凡卡林与莫斯科的官员都表示，最快将在今年或明年恢复合法捕猎，只待熊口普查结束，相关单位订出不会威胁北极熊生存的年度捕猎限额。