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In the remote waters of the Arctic Ocean above Russia's Far East mainland lies Wrangel Island a rugged, mountainous stretch of land that remains barely touched by human life.The 91st-largest island in the world, Wrangel Island covers an area roughly the size of Crete and is under UNESCO protection.As the island is sparsely populated by humans, it serves as a vital habitat for rare plant and animal species.Yet this habitat is under threat.
Russian officials are considering undoing some of the island's environmental protections in order to turn it into a staging ground for military exercises, the Kedr.media environmental news outlet reported Thursday.Here's a look at photos of the island's unique ecosystem:
