Authorities in Novosibirsk have deployed round-the-clock armed guards to protect local crustaceans known for their botox-like properties from poachers.
Novosibirsk's Lake Gorkoye is a known hotbed for natural cosmetics, ranging from healing salts to numerous varieties of rare plants, insects and microorganisms found to have beautifying properties. Among these creatures is the Artemia Salina, a species of brine shrimp known for its botox-like cosmetic effects.
These anti-aging crustaceans and their appearance-enhancing neighbors have been provided with enhanced security from Sept. 1 to Nov. 30 on the order of Yury Marchenko, head of the regional department for protection of natural resources, a statement on the regional government's website said.
The order, which covers the season during which Lake Gorkoye has its highest concentration of valuable microorganisms, calls for armed guards and vehicular patrols to guard the lake 24 hours a day.
Marchenko said patrols of the area in early September revealed that the lake's natural treasures are in high demand on the black market. Several people were caught trying to steal sand, healing mud and valuable microorganisms from the lake.
By the time they were caught, the would-be poachers had filled three large sacks of Artemia Salina.
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