In a rare encounter, a polar bear was spotted near a remote cottage in Iceland—a sighting that quickly turned dangerous. Icelandic police ended up shooting the bear on Thursday after it wandered too close to an elderly woman’s summer home, causing concerns for her safety.
Westfjords Police Chief Helgi Jensson shared that the decision to shoot the bear was made after consulting with the Environment Agency. The relocation was ruled out, given how close the bear was to inhabited areas. The elderly resident, frightened by the bear rummaging in her garbage, contacted her daughter in Reykjavik for help.
Non-Native Visitors From Greenland
Though polar bears aren’t native to Iceland, they occasionally arrive on ice floes from Greenland. Anna Sveinsdóttir from the Icelandic Institute of Natural History explained that more icebergs have been sighted off Iceland’s north coast recently, potentially increasing these unexpected bear visits. As sea ice melts due to global warming, polar bears are spending more time on land in search of food, which sometimes leads to dangerous human interactions. A 2017 Wildlife Society study noted that shrinking ice habitats are pushing bears into more frequent contact with people, raising risks for both parties.
Polar Bears Struggling to Survive
Studies from Norway and Canada highlight the challenges polar bears face in an increasingly warming Arctic. Inbreeding, food scarcity, and diminishing genetic diversity are all pressuring the species. Some researchers predict that polar bears could become extinct within the century if these conditions persist. Although attacks on humans remain rare, recent incidents indicate a troubling trend. Last month, a pair of polar bears killed a worker in the Canadian Arctic, and just last year, a bear fatally attacked a mother and child in Alaska. Encounters with polar bears are intensifying in northern regions as their habitats shrink.
A Rare Sight in Iceland
Thursday’s bear sighting was Iceland’s first since 2016, marking only the 600th documented sighting since the ninth century. While polar bears are protected in Iceland, authorities have permission to shoot if they present a threat to humans or livestock. In 2008, a debate on how to handle these bears resulted in a recommendation to kill those seen as dangerous due to the high cost of relocating them to Greenland. The young bear weighed around 300 to 400 pounds and was taken to Iceland’s Institute of Natural History for research. Scientists will analyze samples to check for infections or parasites and evaluate their overall health. The bear’s skull and pelt may be preserved for scientific study.
Final Precautions
After the bear was removed, a Coast Guard helicopter searched the area for other potential animals but found none. The woman who initially reported the bear chose to stay in her village a bit longer, feeling more at ease after the incident was resolved.
This content has, in part, been generated with the aid of an artificial intelligence language model. While we strive for accuracy and quality, please note that the information provided may not be entirely error-free or up-to-date. We recommend independently verifying the content and consulting with professionals for specific advice or information. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the use or interpretation of this content.