You're right, Putin tells schoolboy

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin feeds a baby elk while visiting the Losiny Ostrov national park in Moscow, Saturday, June 5, 2010. The national park, a specially protected nature territory, is Moscow's only park where wild animals live free. (AP Photo/Alexei Druzhinin, Pool)

Russia's strongman Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Saturday found himself targeted on environmental protection — by a schoolboy.

The encounter took place as Mr. Putin toured the Losiny Ostrov National Park outside Moscow on a trip that also saw the animal-loving Russian number one feed wild elk using baby-bottles.

Russia is repeatedly criticised by environmentalists for lax ecological protection measures which endanger the fantastic natural riches across the vast country.

“I think the government should look more strictly at all violations of the law on ecology,” piped the boy, who was not named, staring straight into the dark sunglasses of the Prime Minister.

“It should implement a higher fine if someone litters the street,” he added in comments shown on state television.

Taking off his shades and looking the boy in the eye, Mr. Putin said: “I agree completely. Russia's nature is a gift from God, without any exaggeration a wonder which we enjoy every day and deserves our protection.”

He told the boy to send his proposals to the government. “We will look at them at least at the level of the Ministry of Natural Resources and maybe higher,” said Mr. Putin.

It was not clear if the encounter had been choreographed in advance or was genuinely accidental.

Last weekend, Mr. Putin sparred on human rights with one of Russia's best known rock singers, Yury Shevchuk, at a televised meeting some observers believed was concocted to boost the Prime Minister's image.

Wildlife has played a major role in creating Mr. Putin's political image and the past months have seen him having close encounters with animals ranging from a tiger, a whale and a polar bear.