Polar bears take over an abandoned Arctic outpost
In late summer, a group of polar bears has taken up residence around an abandoned Soviet-era polar research station on Kolyuchin Island, a bleak outpost off Russia’s far-north-eastern coast in the Chukchi Sea. Drone footage captured by a travel photographer shows bears roaming in and out of the facility’s scattered, weather-worn buildings as the Arctic sun hovers low in the sky.
Vadim Makhorov, who filmed the scene, described a close encounter with the drone: one bear snapped at the approaching camera, while others poked their heads from the nooks of the ruined structures. “I think they see these houses as shelter from the wind, rain and other things,” he said. The station, part of a now-abandoned village, has stood largely unused since the Soviet Union dissolved more than three decades ago.
Makhorov noted that more than 20 bears appear to be active on the island itself. Polar bears typically lead solitary lives, but researchers emphasize that they are not inherently antisocial. When conditions allow, they can display a sociable side—even among competing for food or mates—experts say. In summers with scarce sea ice, bears often migrate farther north and spend more time on land in search of nourishment.
As Makhorov put it, the late-summer spectacle has a precedent: a few years ago a whale carcass on the island drew more than 200 polar bears to the shore. “Everybody ate, no-one disturbed anyone,” he recalled, illustrating how these apex predators can form temporary, pragmatic bonds around a rich food source.
Climate change pushes bears onto land
Scientists warn that polar bears are increasingly spending more time on land as sea ice melts due to climate change. The shift in habitat forces bears to adapt, sometimes venturing into human-occupied areas or coastal settlements in search of food. In response, communities have developed deterrents and safety measures to reduce conflicts, including bars with spikes on windows and “bear slippers”—boards with nails placed outside doors to prevent entry.
The Arctic predators are no strangers to the notion of comfort and shelter. As Makhorov observed in his posts, the instinct to find a stable refuge from the elements is a powerful draw for bears when ice is unreliable.
Arctic biodiversity and population context
The Russian Arctic hosts four polar bear sub-populations, each named for the sea they inhabit: Barents, Kara, Laptev and Chukchi. The current situation on Kolyuchin Island underscores how climate-driven changes in ice cover can alter bear behavior and distribution across these sub-populations. While the bears are emblematic of resilience in a warming world, the episodes of land-based gatherings close to human artifacts—like the abandoned research station—also highlight potential risks for both bears and people as the Arctic continues to transform.
What comes next?
Experts emphasize the need for ongoing monitoring and adaptive management as climate models project longer ice-free periods. Public awareness, responsible wildlife viewing, and continued research are essential to understanding how polar bears navigate these expanding Arctic frontiers. The sight of bears occupying an abandoned station serves as a stark reminder of the broader stakes: as the ice recedes, the balance between Arctic wildlife and human activity will demand greater coordination and care.
