Polar Bears Colonize Abandoned Russian Research Station, Delighting Internet Viewers
CHUKOT SEA, RUSSIA – A remote, decades-abandoned Russian polar research station in the chukot Sea has found new occupants: a group of polar bears. Drone footage captured by travel blogger Vadim Machorov has gone viral, showcasing the bears exploring the dilapidated buildings of the Koljučin station, offering a rare glimpse into wildlife adapting to a changing Arctic landscape.
The station, established in 1934 during the Soviet era as part of a network of Arctic research bases, was systematically abandoned in 1992 following the collapse of the Soviet Union. For over thirty years, it remained deserted-until the arrival of the bears. Machorov,while documenting the landscape on a trip to Wrangel Island,discovered the unusual scene and shared the footage,quickly captivating audiences worldwide.
The video shows several bears playfully peering from windows and wandering through the ruins.One bear even vocalized a throat roar in response to the drone before seemingly ignoring the aerial visitor, allowing Machorov to capture unique photographs.
“I think they perceive these houses as hiding from wind, rain and other influences,” Machorov explained. “Bears are not a strange sense of comfort and cosiness.”
Koljučin station once served as a vital outpost for scientists monitoring weather patterns, seabird colonies, and ice sheet dynamics. The bears’ occupation highlights the challenges facing Arctic wildlife as climate change reshapes their habitat and forces them to seek shelter in unexpected places.
Video: The Autonomous
