Iceland shoots Polar Bear that drifted on iceberg from Greenland, calling it a threat to humans

A polar bear was shot dead in a remote village in Iceland earlier this week after being deemed a threat to local residents. The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon in northwest Iceland, following consultations with the Environment Agency, which decided against relocating the bear.

Bear's Encounter with Local Resident

Westfjords Police Chief Helgi Jensson explained the decision, stating, "It's not something we wanted to do but as you can see in the photo, the bear was very close to a summer house, where an elderly woman was inside." During the encounter, the woman, who was alone, locked herself upstairs while the bear rummaged through her garbage. She managed to alert her daughter in Reykjavik, who then contacted authorities for assistance.

"She stayed put," Jensson noted, adding that nearby residents had evacuated the area. "She understood the danger."

Rare Sightings of Polar Bears in Iceland

Polar bears are not native to Iceland, though they occasionally drift ashore from Greenland on ice floes. Anna Sveinsdottir, director of scientific collections at the Icelandic Institute of Natural History, mentioned that numerous icebergs had been spotted along the northern coast in recent weeks. While polar bear attacks on humans are rare, a study from the Wildlife Society Bulletin highlighted that loss of sea ice due to global warming has led to more hungry bears venturing onto land, increasing the risk of conflicts.

Historical Context of Polar Bear Sightings

This incident marks the first polar bear sighting in Iceland since 2016. Sightings are infrequent, with only 600 recorded in the country since the ninth century. Although polar bears are a protected species in Iceland, they can be killed if they pose a danger to humans or livestock.

In response to past encounters, a national task force was formed after two polar bears appeared in 2008. The task force concluded that killing wandering bears was the most feasible solution, as relocation was deemed too costly.

Examination of the Bear

The young bear, estimated to weigh between 150 and 200 kilograms (300 to 400 pounds), was taken to the Icelandic Institute of Natural History for examination. Scientists collected samples to check for parasites and assess the bear’s health. The bear’s pelt and skull may be preserved for the institute’s collection.

Following the removal of the bear, the woman who reported the incident chose to stay in the village, according to Jensson. A Coast Guard helicopter surveyed the area for any additional bears but found none.

With AP Inputs