Accidental ingestion can poison them and exposure to toxic chemicals can affect their reproductive abilities and biological functions. Moreover, when polar bears come into contact with oil spills, the insulating effects of their fur is reduced and they need more energy to warm themselves up. The gas and oil industry is present in the Arctic and carries risks of potential habitat destruction due to oil exploration. This predator isn’t only threatened by hunting and climate change. The polar bear population is also at risk due to climate change characterized by increased temperatures and ice melting, resulting in the loss of their natural habitat. Some Indigenous populations in North America traditionally hunt polar bears for their meat.
In some parts, polar bear hunting is government-regulated whereas in places like Norway and some parts of Russia, it’s banned. Unfortunately, in the latest decades, hunting has been the no.1 reason for increased polar bear mortality. Concerns about these methods led to an international agreement in the 70s that prohibited aircraft or big motorboats for polar bear hunting. However, commercial hunting rose in the 50s and 60s when people started using boats, snowmobiles, and airplanes for hunting. Sometimes, these bears are killed in defense. Arctic people traditionally hunt them for food, bedding, clothing, and religious purposes. Here’s a quick introductory video about Churchill:Īccording to Sea World Parks and Entertainment, polar bears have been hunted by humans for thousands of years. Specialized vehicles that drive on ice are used to take tourists around to find and photograph polar bears. Polar bears pass through here every October on their migration route, causing a rise in human-bear interactions.Ĭhurchill is a major tourist attraction during migration season because you have a very high chance of encountering a polar bear. The most common place where polar bears and humans interact is Churchill, Canada. Related Article: How Far can Polar Bears Smell? Where do Polar Bears and Humans Interact? Some campsites and remote outposts also set up electric fences to protect from polar bears.
Signal flares are also used for protection and are helpful when the bear is out of the 20 feet spray range. Polar Bears International notes that bear spray is 98 percent effective whereas the percent of the effectiveness of firearms is 76. It’s sprayed within close range of the animal and it will burn its mouth, eyes, and nose without causing any permanent damage. firearms or bear spray.īear spray or pepper spray is used to reduce injury from a potential bear contact. To prevent or survive a polar bear attack when found in their territory, humans should never go into bear territory if not necessary and never without carrying protection, i.e. Protecting yourself from Polar Bear Attacks Bears are curious, but also cautious and they will do their investigation when there’s little movement or sounds. Since polar bears are known to investigate their surroundings, the risk of an attack is higher if one doesn’t take the necessary protective measures such as using bear hangs to keep food away from campsites. More than 20 direct attacks on humans have been reported in recent years!Ĭampsites are particularly attractive to polar bears due to the bright colors and unusual sounds and odors coming from the people and food.
Unfortunately, throughout this predator’s range, their attacks on humans and properties have been on the rise. Related Article: Can Polar Bears Breathe Underwater? Polar Bear Attacks are on the Rise This is why most attacks recorded have to do with people who are camping near areas with polar bears or those closer to the shore. Polar bears are curious animals by nature and in a world mostly filled with ice blocks and holes, anything else that stands out can easily attract them.
Since polar bears spend most of their life on the sea ice of the Arctic Ocean and depend on it for food and habitat, they’re the only species of bears that are classified as marine mammals. Although there are recorded attacks from polar bears on humans, the likelihood of being attacked is very rare and the instances are one to three per year, in the whole world, according to Polar Bears International.
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