Polar bears are apex predators of the Arctic, adapted to their icy environment. These powerful carnivores, weighing up to 600 kg (1,300 lbs), primarily hunt seals on sea ice. While their remote habitat limits frequent human interaction, encounters can occur and pose significant danger due to their size, strength, and predatory nature.
Documented Fatalities
Fatalities caused by polar bears are rare. From 1870 to 2014, a study documented 73 confirmed polar bear attacks on humans across the five Arctic range states (Canada, Greenland, Norway, Russia, and the United States). These attacks resulted in 20 human fatalities and 63 injuries over 144 years. While overall numbers are low, attack frequency has increased in recent decades; 64% of all attacks between 1870-2009 occurred after 1960. The period from 2010 to 2014 alone saw 15 attacks, suggesting a potential upward trend, though the small dataset limits definitive conclusions.
Circumstances of Encounters
Polar bear attacks often stem from specific circumstances, such as bears under stress or near human activity. Many fatal attacks are predatory, primarily involving nutritionally stressed adult male polar bears. These bears may view humans as a food source, especially when seals, their primary prey, are less accessible due to diminished sea ice. Attacks by female bears are rare and typically defensive, occurring when they protect cubs.
Human factors contribute to incidents, including accidental encounters, improper food storage, or approaching bears too closely. Climate change influences these interactions, as reduced sea ice forces more polar bears onto land, bringing them closer to human settlements. This increased terrestrial presence, particularly during the ice-free season (July to December), coincides with more attacks. Bears habituated to human food sources, like garbage, may lose their natural wariness and become bolder.
Minimizing Risk
Minimizing the risk of polar bear encounters requires vigilance and safety protocols. Individuals should travel in groups, make noise, and remain aware of surroundings, especially in areas with limited visibility or known bear activity. Proper food storage in sealed containers and effective waste management prevent attracting bears to human settlements or camps. Avoid areas with natural attractants like seal or whale carcasses, as bears defend these food sources.
Carrying deterrents such as bear spray, air horns, or flares is recommended, and knowing how to use them effectively is crucial. If a polar bear is sighted, remain calm, avoid running, and back away slowly while keeping the bear in sight. If a bear approaches or charges, standing your ground, making loud noises, appearing large, and using deterrents can help. In high-activity areas, hiring experienced guides and utilizing community-based polar bear alert programs further enhance safety.