Russian Meteorologists Face Polar Bear Threat On Remote Arctic Island

A team of five Russian meteorologists have reportedly been trapped on a remote ice covered Russian island since last two weeks as polar bears have sieged the place. The meteorologists are currently on an expedition on Troynoy Island which is located about 2,800 miles away from Moscow in Russia's Kara Sea.

According to Russian news agency TASS, Vadim Plotnikov, who is the head of the meteorologist team, informed the media agency via satellite phone that around 10 polar bears have surrounded their base. Some of the bears have taken to sleeping right outside the windows of the Arctic station. This has made it impossible for Plotnikov and his team to even go outside their weather station. In fact, they have been forced to abandon some of their work. The team has also lost one of their dogs to the polar bears.

Furthermore, the weather experts no longer have flare guns to scare off the bears. They have requested for more flares, dogs and small harmless explosive devices to scare away the beats away. It is to be noted that Russia has completely banned polar bear hunting as they fall under endangered species category.

Vassiliy Shevchenko, head of the Sevgidromet State Monitoring Network that owns the Arctic station, said they have already sent the ship with the aid, including more flare guns and dogs, to the team of scientists. The ship is expected to arrive one month from now, reported CNN.

Shevchenko added that they have issued a recommendation to the station members to use extreme caution and not to leave their base without any serious reason. They have been asked to continue only with possible meteorological observations. The bears are expected to leave the island in search for food at the end of October, or in the beginning of November when the near-shore waters off the island freeze.