Desperate photographer took polar bears, keepers of an abandoned polar station

The polar bear is one of the most ferocious and powerful predators on the planet. In addition, polar bears are hostile to humans and can attack just like that. In the Arctic, these giants feel like masters and calmly appear at the bases of polar explorers and in settlements. Well, if the village is empty, then the bears host there completely. These polar bears were photographed by photographer Dmitry Koch at an abandoned polar station on Kolyuchin Island, off the coast of Chukotka.

The polar station appeared on Kolyuchin Island in 1942. It was moved from the mainland, or rather, from the Chukchi Cape Jenretlen. For a long time, the station, called the village of Kolyuchino, was actively used, but in the early 80s it lost its significance. In 1983, there were small shifts of 3 to 7 people.

By the end of the 80s, the village of Kolyuchino was abandoned by people, and in 1992 it was even removed from geographical maps. People appear on the island very rarely and it has become a real "time capsule". On Kolyuchin, everything has been preserved as it was, but, alas, the harsh climate is gradually destroying buildings and structures.

Now even animals do not live on the island permanently. Sometimes walruses organize temporary rookeries here, and along the coast there are migration routes of bowhead whales. It is often possible to find nesting grounds of gulls, bering cormorants and thick-billed kaira on the Thorn.

The most frequent guests here are polar bears. From time to time, the owners of the Arctic arrange dens here, but they come for a walk regularly. Dmitry Koch, who visited Chukotka and Wrangel Island with an expedition, visited the abandoned village of Kolyuchino and, at serious risk, photographed its new guests.

By one of the settlements, "lost in time", the photojournalist meant the abandoned station on Kolyuchin. Dmitry sincerely admired the harsh beauty of the Arctic, but something upset him. The photographer noted that many islands are densely covered with metal barrels of fuel left by polar explorers, military and sailors. There is also enough construction debris and other traces of human activity.

As for the bears, Dmitry noted that they are very curious, so it is very interesting to shoot them. On the other hand, every contact with bears is a serious risk.

But everything worked out, and we can enjoy the unique shots made by Dmitry.