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# Russia
Hungry polar bears trap researchers in weather station
The workers are living in a remote weather station on the north Russian island of Vaygach.
THREE RESEARCHERS on the north Russian island of Vaygach have been trapped in their remote station by hungry polar bears.
WWF Russia reports that fights between the bears, who have settled next to Fyodorov weather station, have broken out over food.
The team of two meteorologists and one engineer failed to scare the bears away with flares and they have no other weapons.
The WWF conservation group says the Russian government has pledged help them.
One of the meteorologists said the bears sleep near the house. She described the bears as being very aggressive and said they often fight near the house.
The researchers are meant to take measurements at sea twice a day.
However the workers said it is too dangerous as they would need to walk a few hundred metres.
Program manager Viktor Nikiforov said “people living in the Arctic must be prepared to face polar bears”.
However, he said the staff have no weapons or means to deter the bears.
The WWF said it is currently preparing a formal appeal to the district administration asking for Fedorov station to be supplied with the necessary equipment and means to scare off the polar bears.
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