At this rate, the species could be extinct in 6 years, according to latest shocking figures - but are the predators really in such jeopardy?
Shocking remains of nine beheaded brown bears slain and mutilated by poachers have been found by mushroom pickers in the Republic of Buryatia.
Macabre cargo including 37 elk lips impounded after FSB tip-off. CAUTION: STRONG IMAGES
This animal and its lost mother wandered some 700 km too far south 'because they couldn't go north' and got confused.
Illegal export was heading for China, before smuggling chain busted in major operation in Khabarovsk region.
'Influential businessman' Evgeniy Romanov, 52, avoids jail, despite a host of other 'trophies'.
Daring criminals intended to walk across frozen lake to take skins and ‘potency cures’ into China.
Skin and skull of rare animal was hidden in the suspect's car.
The rare predator was caught after weeks of wandering into a village in Russian Far East.