In February 2019, dozens of polar bears invaded Novaya Zemlya settlements, prompting Russia's first state of emergency for a polar bear incursion.
Key Facts
- Bears entered the area
- At least 52 polar bears
- Bears in settlement territory
- 6 to 10 bears
- State of emergency declared
- 16 February 2019
- Last comparable event
- Not seen since 1983
- Legal status of hunting
- Prohibited by law in Russia
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Polar bears were drawn toward Belushya Guba, the main settlement on Novaya Zemlya, likely in search of food. The animals were observed foraging at a local garbage dump, behavior indicating food scarcity in their natural habitat. Garbage cannot sustain polar bears due to insufficient protein and fat content.
Beginning in February 2019, at least 52 polar bears entered areas near Belushya Guba on the Russian Arctic archipelago of Novaya Zemlya. The bears entered homes, civic buildings, and inhabited zones, frightening residents who refused to leave their homes. Vehicle patrols and dogs failed to deter the animals, and hunting was legally prohibited.
Arkhangelsk Oblast authorities declared a state of emergency on 16 February 2019. Daily routines were disrupted, with parents refusing to send children to school or kindergarten. A team of experts was dispatched to the region to remove polar bears from the inhabited area and its surroundings.