Scientists trapped by hungry polar bears in Arctic Russia

Five adult polar bears have besieged unarmed scientists at a remote weather station in Russia’s far north.

The meteorologists have been unable to take daily sea readings because of the bears that have surrounded the Fyodorov weather station on Vaygach island.

The bears have taken to sleeping near the buildings at the station and were showing aggressive behaviour, fighting each other over food.

There are no fences surrounding the station and one of the trapped meteorologists told WWF Russia efforts to scare the bears away with flares had failed.

WWF’s Bear Patrol were in touch with the station and have attempted to provide the meteorologists with the means to scare the bears away.

Although polar bears are rarely violent towards humans, they are extremely unpredictable and will attack people, especially if provoked.