A polar bear in Iceland was shot after posing a threat to residents. Climate change is pushing more bears ashore, raising concerns about human-wildlife conflicts.
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A polar bear, believed to have drifted from Greenland on an iceberg, was shot by Icelandic police Thursday after being deemed a threat to the safety of a remote village resident.
The bear was found rummaging through garbage outside a summer cottage, prompting swift action from local authorities after the resident raised the alarm.
The incident occurred in northwest Iceland, where an older woman, alone in her summer cottage, spotted the bear near her home.
Fearing for her safety, she locked herself upstairs and contacted her daughter in Reykjavik for help.
Police quickly arrived and consulted with the Environment Agency, ultimately deciding that relocating the animal was too risky.
“It is always a last resort to kill such a rare animal,” said Westfjords Police Chief Helgi Jensson.
“But given the circumstances and the immediate threat to human life, we had no other choice.”
This marks the first polar bear sighting in Iceland since 2016, and sightings remain rare, with fewer than 600 cases reported in the last 1,000 years. Polar bears are not native to Iceland but occasionally arrive on Greenland ice floes.
While polar bears are protected under Icelandic law, they can be killed if they directly threaten humans or livestock.
The bear weighed between 330 and 440 pounds and has been taken to the Icelandic Institute of Natural History for examination.
Scientists will study its health conditions and general physical state, and the pelt and skull may be preserved for research.
Growing Climate Concerns
Experts warn that climate change contributes to increased polar bear sightings in Iceland.
As sea ice continues to melt, more polar bears are being forced ashore in search of food, raising the risk of human encounters.
“With the loss of their natural habitat, polar bears are increasingly finding themselves in areas they would not normally inhabit,” said Anna Sveinsdóttir, director of the Icelandic Institute of Natural History.
Studies show that polar bear attacks on humans are still rare, but there has been an uptick in incidents due to reduced sea ice.
A 2017 report found that more polar bears are coming into contact with human settlements, leading to more significant conflict as bears struggle to find food.
Conclusion
As global warming accelerates, Icelandic authorities prepare for more potential polar bear encounters.
While bears are often forced into unfamiliar environments, balancing human safety and preserving endangered species remains complex.
“This is a situation we may have to face more often,” said Sveinsdóttir. “And it is one we must handle with care.”
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