The polar bear, Ursus maritimus, is the world’s largest land carnivore, perfectly adapted to the harsh, icy environment of the Arctic. Adult males often weigh up to 1,700 pounds and stand nearly ten feet tall on their hind legs. This massive physique, combined with specialized hunting adaptations, establishes the polar bear as a formidable predator. As the apex predator of its domain, the bear possesses the physical capability, speed, and power to easily overpower and kill a human.
Understanding the Danger and Rarity of Attacks
The physical threat posed by a polar bear is immense, yet attacks on humans remain statistically rare. The bear is capable of bursts of speed up to 35 miles per hour on land, making it impossible to outrun. It possesses one of the strongest bite forces among all bears, measured at an estimated 1,235 pounds per square inch (PSI). This power is sufficient to crush bone and tear through thick hides, reflecting its specialized diet of marine mammals.
Recorded incidents are infrequent because the bear’s native habitat rarely intersects with dense human populations. A study covering 144 years (1870 to 2014) documented only 73 confirmed attacks, resulting in 20 fatalities. The lethality of these encounters is extremely high, and the danger may be increasing as climate change forces more bears ashore for longer periods. This shift increases the proximity between nutritionally stressed bears and human activity.
Why Polar Bears Attack Humans
Polar bear encounters are generally categorized by the animal’s motivation, though the majority of fatal attacks are predatory. Unlike many other bear species, polar bears are highly carnivorous and view almost anything that moves as potential prey. Approximately 88% of fatal incidents are judged to be predatory, meaning the bear was actively seeking to kill and consume the human.
These predatory attacks are most often carried out by nutritionally stressed adult males or younger subadults struggling to find food. The seasonal decline of sea ice, particularly between July and December, concentrates bears on land, correlating with a higher percentage of attacks during those months. When a bear is in below-average body condition, its predatory instincts toward humans become heightened.
Defensive attacks are much less common, usually occurring only when a bear is surprised at close range or when a female is protecting her cubs. These incidents are typically short, aggressive warnings. A predatory bear, by contrast, will often stalk or approach intently without vocalizing.
Avoiding Encounters and Deterrence Methods
The most effective strategy for surviving in polar bear country is taking proactive measures to avoid an encounter entirely. Proper management of attractants is a foundational safety step, requiring all food, garbage, and scented items to be stored in secure, bear-resistant containers. Cooking and eating should occur well away from sleeping areas, and all waste must be packed out to minimize odors that attract a bear’s keen sense of smell.
When traveling, it is advisable to move in groups, as a larger presence is often a deterrent. Travelers should also avoid high-use bear areas like coastal bluffs or river drainages. Vigilance is a continuous requirement, often necessitating the designation of a bear monitor or the use of an overnight watch in remote camps.
To create an early warning system, portable perimeter alarms, such as tripwires or electric fences, can be set up around camps. Deterrent devices should be readily accessible, including noisemakers like air horns or flares, such as the Calibre 4 crack cartridge. Carrying bear spray is also recommended, but it must be kept in an easily reachable location, such as a holster, rather than stored away in a pack.
What to Do During an Attack
If a polar bear is actively approaching or stalking, stand your ground and prepare for a confrontation. Unlike a defensive attack from a grizzly bear, where playing dead is sometimes advised, a polar bear views a human as prey. It will continue an attack until the threat is neutralized or the person is subdued, so running away is not an option as it triggers the bear’s chase response.
The primary non-lethal defense is the immediate, strategic deployment of bear spray, used only when the animal is within close range. The spray must be aimed directly at the bear’s face, targeting the sensitive eyes and nose, and used in a sustained blast. If the bear makes physical contact, fight back aggressively. Focus blows with fists, rocks, or available objects on the bear’s most vulnerable areas, specifically the eyes and nose, to cause pain and disrupt the attack.