Less than a week after the polar bear visit to Kapp Linné, which made it big in international media, another polar bear was seen near a settlement in Spitsbergen. This time, it was Longyearbyen, the main settlement.
The bear was seen for the first time Friday evening in Adventdalen close to the old airstrip, some kilometres southeast of Longyearbyen, walking to the settlement.
Soon, the Sysselmannen was on site with the helicopter, the polar bear had already come quite close to town. Scared away by the helicopter, the bear moved to Hiorthhamn, opposite of Longyearbyen. Later, when the bear was seen swimming in Adventfjorden, a group having a party with a fire on the beach in Longyearbyen was evacuated – a safety measure without any drama, the bear was not seen anywhere near the site.
Polar bear in Adventfjord, not far from Longyearbyen (archive image, 2014).
The polar bear was seen for the last time Saturday around noon on the way into Sassenfjord. Since then, its whereabouts are not know, and the authorities have closed the “case” until further observations may be made and reported by anyone in the field.
It is said that the bear was a large male. There were no situations dangerous for humans or the bear.
The case shows how important it is to be alert and prepared also in the area close to Longyearbyen.
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.