Polar Bears, the big, beautiful 'White Warriors of the North', are adapting to climate change in a totally unexpected way that was unforeseen by scientists, in that they are changing their color.
The bears, who live almost 'unseen' in the totally white landscape of the Arctic, have been found further south than ever before, and are now coming into contact with Russian communities on a regular basis. In the Novaya Zemlya islands, home to a only a smattering of people, there have been several cases of Polar bears attacking people, and going into residential and public buildings.
Their white fur is now tending to make them stand out from their surroundings, rather than conceal them. Some have been spotted of a different hue. It's thought that, in order to 'blend in' with their surroundings, the bears have changed their 'colorway'. They are now more of a yellowy-gray.
Some of the local people on the Novaya Zemyla islands have spoken out. One, Boris Terminaterkin, laughed:
"They are coming south for our vodka! And for our mackerel! And for our women!"
Pretty Natasha Retardaskaya, said:
"I used to love Polar bears when they were white! In fact, I always wanted to give one a cuddle. But not now. They look filthy. If I saw one now, I'd go and get my father's rifle, and shoot it dead."
