Putin shoots whale with crossbow for science

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin fired darts from a crossbow at a whale off Russia's Far Eastern coast.

Putin held his balance in a rubber boat that was being tossed around in choppy waters off the Kamchatka Peninsula, and eventually hit the whale with a special arrow designed to collect skin samples, or biopsies.

"I hit it at the fourth try!" a beaming Putin, kitted out in black-and-orange waterproof suit and black beanie, yelled to a camera crew from the boat.

A biologist with him displayed the skin sample and said it would allow experts to determine where the whale comes from.

When the boat skidded onto the beach, Putin hopped off and made a beeline for waiting reporters. Clearly in his element, Putin replied jovially to a question as to whether the endeavour was dangerous.

"Living in general is dangerous," he quipped. Asked why he got involved, he simply said, "Because I like it. I love the nature."