According to a report from the Wildlife Society Bulletin, 73 confirmed polar bear attacks occurred across Canada, Greenland, Norway, Russia and the United States between 1870 and 2014. While there was no trend in the number of attacks by decade between 1960 and 2014, the greatest number of attacks took place between 2010 and 2014 when the extent of sea ice reached record lows.
Approximately 3,000 polar bears live in the Chukchi Sea area straddling the border between far east Russia and Alaska. Bears in this subpopulation are known to regularly travel between Russia and the United States, living off the regions rich seal-hunting grounds. Sometimes, like in the video below, the bears may have close interactions with the limited human population in the area.
Polar bears should never be approached or provoked. Every bear, no matter the species, defends a “critical space” that varies dependent on the animal and the situation. For some it may be a few meters, for others it may be a few hundred. In any case, intrusion into this space can provoke an attack. If you see a bear and it does not know you are there, you should back away slowly, staying down wind, and leave the area, all while keeping an eye on the animal. Read more on polar bear safety below:
Alaska Department of Fish & Game Polar Bear Encounter Guidelines:
If a bear knows you are there and shows signs of being curious, such as:
- moving slowly with frequent stops,
- standing on hind legs and sniffing the air,
- holding its head high with ears forward or to the side,
- moving its head from side to side, or
- trying to catch your scent by circling downwind and approaching from behind.
THEN:
- help it to identify you as a human,
- wave your arms over your head and talk in low tones,
- move slowly upwind of the bear so it can get your scent.
If the bear has been surprised at close range or shows signs of being agitated or threatened, such as:
- huffing, panting, hissing, growling or jaw-snapping,
- stamping its feet,
- staring directly at a person, or
- lowering its head with ears laid back.
THEN:
- act non-threatening. Do not shout or make sudden movements, which might provoke the bear. Never huff or hiss as this can cause a polar bear to charge.
- avoid direct eye contact.
- back away slowly. DO NOT RUN.
- be prepared to use deterrents.
If the bear shows signs of stalking or hunting you, such as:
- following you or circling you,
- approaching directly, intently and unafraid,
- returning after being scared away, or
- appears wounded, old or thin.
THEN:
- fight back! Use any potential weapon, group together and make loud noises.
- DO NOT RUN.
- be prepared to use deterrents.