MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- A team of experts gathered Friday on Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula to decide how to deal with marauding bears that reportedly have killed two people recently. As many as 12,000 bears live on Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula. The bears are blamed for the deaths of two guards at a geological station near a platinum mine on the peninsula in far eastern Russia. Russian media reports cite local law enforcement officials as saying the remains of the two men had been "gnawed on." Groups of bears have been reported in the region since the deaths, and many people have refused to work at the mine, saying they are afraid.
@highlight
Two guards killed July 17 near platinum mine, apparently by bears
@highlight
Groups of bears seen in other parts of Kamchatka Peninsula in eastern Russia
@highlight
Official says it may be necessary to shoot some bears to protect people
@highlight
Experts say salmon shortage is driving bears into closer contact with humans
Trouble in northeastern @placeholder began when the two unarmed geological station guards were found dead July 17.