Over 20 Polar Bears Occupy Abandoned Soviet Arctic Station Amid Sea Ice Decline

A group of over 20 polar bears has taken over an abandoned Soviet-era research station on Kolyuchin Island in the Russian Arctic, using the dilapidated buildings as shelter from the harsh weather. This phenomenon was captured through drone footage by Russian travel blogger Vadim Makhorov, showing the bears roaming in and out of the facility and interacting with the drone. Scientists note that polar bears are increasingly spending more time on land due to melting sea ice caused by climate change, and they can be sociable when not competing for food or mates. The station was abandoned after the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, and wildlife photographers have documented the presence of these bears on the island since at least 2021. The bears' behavior at the station highlights their adaptation to changing environmental conditions, and similar sightings have been reported where polar bears have sought shelter in human structures. This situation brings attention to the broader impacts of climate change on Arctic wildlife and their shifting habitats.