The man, who was identified as Johan Jacobus Kootte, was attacked in his tent at a camping site in the pre-dawn hours. "Halfway between the northern tip of Europe and the North Pole, the Svalbard archipelago of snow-capped mountains and glaciers is home to 2,939 people and 975 polar bears, according to Norway's statistics office and the Norwegian Polar Institute.In 2011, a polar bear attacked a group of British campers, killing a 17-year-old boy and seriously injuring four others.Polar bears are a protected species and shooting them is allowed only for self-defence and as a last resort.Outside Svalbard's main settlements, people are obliged by law to carry the means to scare the animals away or defend themselves, with authorities recommending they take a gun.The islands are seeing increased activity, mainly from tourism and scientific research, and encounters between humans and animals are increasing.
Elvedah said Kootte was pronounced dead at the hospital in Longyearbyen, the main settlement in the Arctic Svalbard archipelago, about 500 miles north of the Norwegian mainland.
“This is also a strong reminder that we are in polar bear country and must take the precautions to secure ourselves,” Elvedah said later.
Finally, the bear says enough is enough and turns around to take a swipe at one of the snowmobilers.In my opinion, yes. Apparently these Russian snowmobilers were chasing this massive bear away from their fishing camp in the Kuril Islands when the animal decided enough was enough, reared up, and took a swipe at one of them. 50+ videos Play all Mix - Grizzly Bear Snowmobile 2 YouTube; Two Largest Wolf ever caught on tape - Duration: 1:25. In my opinion, yes.
This is the heart-stopping moment a bear prepared to attack a snowmobile rider Credit: The Siberian Times After about 40 seconds of being pursued, … The attack occurred at a campsite near Longyearbyen, the main … OSLO (Reuters) - A 38-year-old Dutch man was killed by a polar bear in the Norwegian Arctic Svalbard islands early on Friday, local authorities said, the first such deadly incident in nine years. The friend escaped into a house. Polar bears can outrun a man and they can give a snowmobile a good chase.
This trend is paired with a similar decline in hospitalizations. A man died in a bear … The bear attack was so horrific, hard to look at or to think about. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. Polar Bear Kills Dutch Man in Norway's Arctic Svalbard ArchipelagoThe man, who was identified as Johan Jacobus Kootte, was attacked in his tent at a camping site in the pre-dawn hours. The most recent victim was a British teenager killed in 2011. Especially if it's a 7 foot 500 lb brown bear. Because this is how this all plays out. NTB Scanpix/Line Nagell Ylvisaker via REUTERS