A robust picture sequence displaying polar bears wandering via deserted buildings on a distant Russian island has captured the world’s consideration — however consultants say it isn’t simply an eerie snapshot. It is a warning signal.
As sea ice continues to shrink, polar bears are adapting in surprising and troubling methods, and their rising presence on land may put each wildlife and folks in danger.
What’s taking place?
Wildlife photographer Dmitry Kokh was looking for shelter from a storm in far northeast Russia in 2021 when he noticed one thing unusual on the abandoned island of Kolyuchin — polar bears. Practically 20 of them roamed the ruins of a long-abandoned Soviet climate station, with some even peeking out of the home windows.
“We have been tremendous stunned as a result of we by no means anticipated to satisfy polar bears to this point to the south,” Kokh informed the BBC in a brand new report this month.
The picture, titled “Home of Bears,” went on to win the Wildlife Photographer of the 12 months award. However whereas the photographs are visually hanging, researchers say this conduct is a rising — and doubtlessly extra harmful — pattern.
Polar bears are spending extra time on land, typically near human settlements. And it isn’t out of curiosity, because the BBC detailed, however starvation.
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Why is that this regarding?
Polar bears depend on sea ice to hunt seals, their fundamental supply of meals. However with rising temperatures melting ice earlier annually, they’re left with fewer choices. Some have begun scavenging land-based meals sources, together with open dumps close to northern cities.
Wildlife scientist Tom Smith notes that whereas bears do not see people as prey, encounters have gotten extra frequent — and doubtlessly extra threatening. Hungry bears accustomed to rubbish could begin wandering into villages, damaging property, or in uncommon circumstances, attacking individuals.
“They’re curious animals so we see them in buildings typically, or they are going to be climbing on prime of automobiles or pipelines,” Smith stated.
On land, the bears burn via fats reserves shortly and might’t get the vitamins they want. Analysis exhibits their well being, reproductive success, and long-term survival are all in danger if this shift continues.
What’s being executed about it?
Consultants like Smith are urging governments to fund higher waste administration in Arctic villages, the place open rubbish dumps are drawing hungry polar bears nearer to individuals.
“It is extraordinarily costly. They need assistance,” Smith stated.
Some Arctic communities have already began securing waste with bear-proof bins and enclosed landfills. In a city in Manitoba, Canada, known as Churchill, closing an open dump helped reduce conflicts with bears. Consultants additionally advocate for wider use of deterrents like bear spray and elevated public schooling.
Lengthy-term options will rely on slowing the planet’s overheating and preserving sea ice. Supporting clear power, lowering single-use plastics, and backing conservation teams like Polar Bears Worldwide are all small steps people can take.
Kokh’s haunting pictures could also be artwork — however in addition they inform a deeper dystopian story. One the place polar bears are adapting to a world they have been by no means constructed to outlive in.
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