Today (Thursday, 19th March) early morning around 6 a.m., a polar bear was shot near Fredheim in Tempelfjord after an attack on a camp. A Czech group was camping, the tents were secured with a polar bear alarm fence of the usual system (Norwegian military system with nylon string). The polar bear, said to be a small, presumably young animal, probably crept under the alarm string into the camp without triggering any alarm.
The bear then dragged one man out of a tent, injuring him in his face and arm. Another man shot three times with a rifle at the bear, injuring him, but not killing him. The polar bear then dropped the man and ran away.
Soon, the Sysselmannen (police) was there, found the bear and shot him (or her).
The injured man was brought to hospital. It can be assumed that his injuries are only minor, as the group assumes he can be back with them on Sunday to continue the trip.
The camp is only a few hundred metres from the shore and ice edge. Polar bears are regularly seen in Tempelfjord in spring, most recently just a few days ago. Close to the camp that has been attacked, there are two more, larger camps.
This author happened to be in the same area just a few hours later, initially without knowing about the incident, and talked to the Czech group at their camp.
The camp which was attacked by a polar bear which was later shot near Fredheim in Tempelfjord.
This and other publishing products of the Spitsbergen publishing house in the Spitsbergen-Shop.
Norwegens arktischer Norden (1): Spitzbergen
Photobook: Norway's arctic islands. The text in this book is German. [shop url="https://shop.spitzbergen.de/en/polar-books/70-norwegens-arktischer-norden-1-aerial-arctic-9783937903262.html"] ← Back
Lofoten, Jan Mayen and Spitsbergen from the air - Photobook: Norway's arctic islands. The text in this book is German, but there is very little text, so I am sure that you will enjoy it regardless which languages you read (or not).
The companion book for the Svalbardhytter poster. The poster visualises the diversity of Spitsbergen‘s huts and their stories in a range of Arctic landscapes. The book tells the stories of the huts in three languages.
Comprehensive guidebook about Spitsbergen. Background (wildlife, plants, geology, history etc.), practical information including travelling seasons, how to travel, description of settlements, routes and regions.
Join an exciting journey with dog, skis and tent through the wintery wastes of East Greenland! We were five guys and a dog when we started in Ittoqqortoormiit, the northernmost one of two settlements on Greenland’s east coast.
12 postcards which come in a beautifully designed tray. Beautiful images from South Georgia across Antarctica from the Antarctic Peninsula to the Ross Sea and up to Macquarie Island and Campbell Island.