Polar bears typically live in areas not inhabited by humans, but together with grizzlies, they are among the most dangerous bear species in the world. And while attacks are rare, an employee working at an arctic radar station in a remote part of Canada was attacked and killed by two polar bears in a tragic incident earlier this month.
The attack occurred on August 9 at the BAF-3 radar station on Brevoort Island, Nunavut, which is owned by Nasittuq Corporation, a company that provides technical field services and facilities management solutions. The base is part of the United States and Canada's Northern Warning System, operated by the North American Air Defense Command.
“It is with deep sorrow that Nasittuq Corporation confirms that a tragic incident occurred yesterday at one of our workplaces on Brevoort Island, Nunavut,” the company said in a press release. “An attack by two polar bears resulted in the loss of one of our valued employees.” The statement added that employees attended the scene and euthanized one of the animals.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and colleagues affected by the loss,” the statement continued, noting that Nasittuq has provided support to the family of the deceased and is offering counseling services to affected employees.
The company also said it is working closely with local authorities and regulatory agencies to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. “We must respect the family in this tragic situation and let the [investigators] and the authorities are doing their job,” Nasittuq president Chris Webb told The Local Nunatsiaq News output.
Polar bears are listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with an estimated 22,000 to 31,000 animals worldwide. One of the biggest threats to them is climate change, which has caused a decrease in the amount of sea ice that bears rely on for hunting. Deteriorating sea ice also forces animals to spend more time on land, increasing the likelihood of conflict with humans.
This is the second reported fatal polar bear attack since the beginning of last year. In January 2023, a 24-year-old woman and her one-year-old son were mauled to death in the village of Wales in northwest Alaska, the state's first fatal encounter with a polar bear in more than 30 years. The attack happened right near the entrance to a school building, which the polar bear also tried to break through before being shot and killed by a local resident.