Polar bears scamper across runway at Alaskan airport

Dec. 19 (UPI) -- A worker at an Alaska airport captured video of two polar bear cubs he chased off the tarmac during his morning inspection.

Scott Babcock posted a photo and a video to Facebook showing the two polar bears he discovered Thursday during his early-morning runaway inspection at Will Rogers-Wiley Post Memorial Airport in Utqiagvik.

"Well, it's just another day at the Will Rogers-Wiley Post Memorial Airport," Babcock says as the bears run off in the video. "Got a couple of polar bears here, running around the infield. There they go. Well, that'll be interesting to deal with today."

Babcock's post was shared by the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities.

"We could 'bearly' contain our excitement this morning when we saw these visitors at the Wily Post Will Rogers Memorial Airport!" the department said. "All joking aside, we take wildlife on our runways very seriously. Wildlife pose a significant safety hazard to the aviation system and the traveling public. Our staff routinely checks runways to ensure they are clear of wildlife. It might be a routine task, but you never know what you might find."

The hub, which is the northernmost airport in the United States, is known for its unusual wildlife encounters -- a 450-pound seal was removed from the runway in October after being spotted by Babcock.