Kesha is the ONLY cat of Barentsburg, Norway
Barentsburg Norway
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Cats are forbidden on all the islands of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago. But Kesha has found a curious but legal way to live and thrive in the area: people mistake him for an Arctic fox.

barentsburg cat

The only feline on an island where cats are banned

Kesha is the ONLY cat on the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago.

One of the world’s northernmost inhabited areas, Svalbard is known for its rugged, remote terrain and frozen tundra sheltering polar bears, Svalbard reindeer, and arctic foxes.

Since 1992, cats are strictly prohibited on Svalbard in order to protect the unique and fragile Arctic ecosystem.

Cats are known to be skilled hunters, and if they were introduced to Svalbard, they could have a devastating impact on the local wildlife, particularly the bird populations. Even a small number of cats could quickly become feral and pose a serious threat to the delicate balance of the ecosystem.

In addition to the environmental concerns, cats are also not well-suited to the harsh Arctic climate. The extreme cold and long, dark winters would make it difficult for cats to survive in the wild, and they would require significant resources to keep them alive.

cats banned in Norway

But a cute ginger cat called Kesha (Кеша in Cyrillic letters) is an exception to the rule because the Russians brought him here, and his papers stated he was an arctic fox.

He now lives in the Russian community Barentsburg on Svalbard.

barentsburg svalbard

“Kesha takes advantage of the fact that he’s a documented predator, therefore, he despises and scares off trespassing arctic foxes,” writes Weird Russia.

“During the day, he surveys his territory and occasionally stops by a diner. At night, he goes to sleep in a mechanical workshop, which is his permanent home.”

The stormy cold weather doesn’t affect Kesha’s attitude. After all, he’s an arctic fox, not a snuggling kitty. He’s a kind and affectionate pet, who is loved by the whole town. Locals even line up to pet him and bring him treats.

cats forbidden in Svalbard

2023 update

Kesha sadly passed away on January 20, 2021. He was roughly 14 years old.

There are since three other cats officially registered in Barentsburg: Ryzij (“Red Head” in Russian), Mila, and Nyurawho. These cats occasionally appear in photos, but have much lower profiles than Kesha.

None of them are suspected of being arctic foxes.

barentsburg svalbard cats

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