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The recent sighting of a polar bear in Iceland, a rare occurrence, has sparked a debate about the impact of climate change on wildlife and human interactions. The bear, which had drifted ashore from Greenland on an ice floe, was deemed a threat to local residents and was subsequently shot by police after consultation with the Environment Agency. This incident highlights the increasing vulnerability of polar bears and the challenges of managing their presence in areas where they are not native.
Polar bears are not native to Iceland, but they occasionally drift ashore from Greenland on ice floes. The bear shot in September 2023 was the first sighted in Iceland since 2016, with only 600 recorded sightings since the ninth century. While polar bears are a protected species in the country, authorities may take lethal action if they pose a threat to humans or livestock. The decision to euthanize the bear was made after it was found very close to a summer house, where an elderly woman was trapped inside. While the woman was able to contact her daughter for assistance, the potential risk posed by the bear ultimately led to the authorities taking action to protect human life.
The incident has drawn attention to the broader issue of climate change and its impact on polar bear populations. As sea ice continues to melt due to global warming, polar bears are forced to spend more time on land in search of food. This has led to an increased risk of human encounters, as bears are more likely to venture into areas inhabited by people. A study published in the Wildlife Society Bulletin in 2017 highlighted the link between climate change and the rise in polar bear attacks on humans. The study found that from 1870 to 2014, there were 73 documented attacks by wild polar bears across the five polar bear Range States, leading to 20 fatalities and 63 injuries among humans. While such attacks are still relatively rare, the increasing number of polar bears venturing onto land due to climate change raises concerns about the future of both human and bear populations.
Source: Polar Bear Appears In Iceland For 1st Time In 8 Years, Shot Dead By Police