Support The Moscow Times!
Contribute today

Up Close With the Bears of Sakhalin in Russia's Far East

On a trip to Sakhalin, a Russian island north of Japan, two men headed out for an adventure. The men soon spotted a number of bears just a few meters away — and tried to slip past in the water unnoticed.

"We almost drowned, the river was deep," Livejournal user Dmitry wrote. "We got out, and the bears noticed us all at once."

Some left, some mused silently and others still were frozen in shock. "It's as if they were saying, 'What is this next to us?' or 'What should I do now?'" Dmitry recalled.

Taking their cue from the bears, who all remained calm, the two men continued on their way, snapping photos of their newfound companions as they went.

Here are some of their best shots:
"Since the fish are not in full numbers, the bears are thinner, vigorous and cheerful," Dmitry observed.
makukds.livejournal.com
Many of the bears were unfazed and continued to go about their business.
makukds.livejournal.com
"They were very beautiful and how they watched us was really cute," Dmitry said.
makukds.livejournal.com
Some of the bears demonstrated a playful side.
makukds.livejournal.com
"We saw a bear with two cubs. She chewed leaves and silently watched us," Dmitry says.
makukds.livejournal.com
A bear shakes off after a swim, or a hunt.
makukds.livejournal.com
The island is situated off Russia's coast in the North Pacific Ocean.
makukds.livejournal.com
Does fish come any fresher than this?
makukds.livejournal.com
"One of the bears observed everything, he did not panic, but did not touch us either," Dmitry recalled.
makukds.livejournal.com
A smaller bear gets set for a dive.
makukds.livejournal.com
Can you count all the bears?
makukds.livejournal.com
Read more about: Animals

More image galleries

look back

Old Moscow and St. Petersburg Through an American Photographer's Lens

Colorized photos show a long-gone side of Soviet Moscow and St. Petersburg.
saying farewell

Muscovites Say Goodbye to Former Mayor Yury Luzhkov

Prominent members of Russia's political, business and arts communities came to say their final goodbyes.
in photos

Moscow's Controversial, Unforgettable 'Luzhkov-Style' Architecture

The ex-Moscow mayor, who died at age 83, led the capital through a dramatic transformation during his 18 years in office.
In Photos

From the Archive: Ex-Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov's Life

A look at the famous politician's life and career.

Independent journalism isn’t dead. You can help keep it alive.

As the only remaining independent, English-language news source reporting from Russia, The Moscow Times plays a critical role in connecting Russia to the world.

Editorial decisions are made entirely by journalists in our newsroom, who adhere to the highest ethical standards. We fearlessly cover issues that are often considered off-limits or taboo in Russia, from domestic violence and LGBT issues to the climate crisis and a secretive nuclear blast that exposed unknowing doctors to radiation.

As we approach the holiday season, please consider making a one-time donation — or better still a recurring donation — to The Moscow Times to help us continue producing vital, high-quality journalism about the world’s largest country.