A man in Fort Severn First Nation, Canada, leapt on top of a polar bear to protect his wife after the bear lunged at her. The man suffered severe injuries but is expected to fully recover.
Polar bears are often spotted in the area due to their overlap with human habitats. However, experts warn that changing environmental conditions may lead to more surprise encounters. The state of nearby sea ice will play a crucial role in polar bears’ prospects and interactions with humans.
Researchers say that well-fed polar bears in good condition pose little risk to humans, but those stranded on land and starving are more likely to be aggressive. The western Hudson Bay population had better-than-expected ice coverage during the summer, but insufficient ice has yet to form for the winter hunting season.
As a result, some polar bears are still roaming on land, burning valuable fat stores while searching for food. Once these reserves are depleted, bears become more unpredictable and lose their natural caution around humans. The situation is expected to worsen as environmental conditions continue to change.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/05/canada-polar-bear-attack-man-ontario