Russian photographer Vadim Makhorov has captured incredible footage of a pack of polar bears that have inhabited an abandoned home on Russia's Kolyuchin Island.

"This is an abandoned polar station on Kolyuchin Island. I filmed these shots from the vessel Professor Khromov during my trip to Wrangel Island a week ago. Not far from the houses there’s a walrus haul-out, and around the island itself about 20 bears (if not more) are roaming around. Quite the neighbourhood," said the photographer.

He added: "Polar bears love taking over houses. This happens not only on Kolyuchin — any Arctic base with open doors risks getting new furry tenants. For example, on Franz Josef Land, in Tikhaya Bay, where the very first Soviet polar station has been preserved, there are also many such huts. And before you can relax safely at the base, you have to walk around, check each house, make some noise — just to scare the bears away from people.

"Polar bears also try to break into inhabited polar stations. To prevent that, researchers install barred windows with spikes, and lay 'bear slippers' — boards with nails — in front of doors. The bears don’t actually step on the nails or get hurt. They see them and simply stay away from the entrance."

This is an abandoned polar station on Kolyuchin Island. I filmed these shots from the vessel Professor Khromov during my trip to Wrangel Island a week ago. Not far from the houses there’s a walrus haul-out, and around the island itself about 20 bears (if not more) are roaming around. Quite the neighborhood!

Polar bears love taking over houses. This happens not only on Kolyuchin — any Arctic base with open doors risks getting new furry tenants. For example, on Franz Josef Land, in Tikhaya Bay, where the very first Soviet polar station has been preserved, there are also many such huts. And before you can relax safely at the base, you have to walk around, check each house, make some noise — just to scare the bears away from people.

Polar bears also try to break into inhabited polar stations. To prevent that, researchers install barred windows with spikes, and lay “bear slippers” — boards with nails — in front of doors. The bears don’t actually step on the nails or get hurt. They see them and simply stay away from the entrance.

middle of October

What exactly is happening in the video?
Polar bears are living on abandoned polar station
Who is involved (names and ages if possible)?
Me, Vadim Makhorov, 36
Where, specifically, did it happen?
Koluchin island on Chukotka region, Russia
When, specifically, did it happen?
middle of october
Who filmed the video and on what device was it filmed?
ME, drone dji mavic 3 pro