Terrifying footage has emerged from the remote Arctic island of Svalbard, capturing a dramatic and desperate chase between a man and a polar bear. The incident took place in the small settlement of Pyramiden, where residents were attempting to scare off polar bears after one was reported sniffing around snowmobiles in the village.
The harrowing video shows a Russian mining manager running through the snow as a large polar bear charges after him. Despite a volley of gunshots fired in an attempt to deter the animal, the bear continued its pursuit. The man, evidently panic-stricken, dropped his rifle while desperately leaping onto a snowmobile, which then provided his narrow escape from the predator. Spectators could be heard shouting out warnings such as "No! Go away!" as the bear closed to within a few feet of the man.
According to a source at Arktikugol, the Russian Arctic coal company operating in Pyramiden, about 80 people were present in the settlement at the time, including residents staying at the Tulip Hotel. The source explained, "Bears frequently enter Pyramiden because their migration route runs through the area. Some bears are aggressive, while others are more timid and skittish." They added that both the man and the bear are currently unharmed following the incident, which is believed to be undated, saying, "No-one was injured."
Polar bears in the region are generally not active predators of humans but can attack if they feel threatened or are particularly hungry. This incident follows a tragic case last year when two polar bears fatally attacked a worker at a remote Arctic radar station in Canada's Nunavut territory.
Voices heard on the footage praised the brave actions of the production manager. One exclaimed, "Very brave guy……Damn, that guy is brave," highlighting the risk the man took in confronting the animal to protect the village.
The same polar bear had been spotted two days prior examining snowmobiles in Pyramiden, drawn by food reportedly left in or around the vehicles, which may have attracted the predator. There are approximately 300 polar bears on Svalbard, and encounters with humans have become a known risk in the area, prompting training for employees and safety monitoring measures for tourists.
Arktikugol's source noted, "Employees of the trust undergo training and monitor the safety of tourists, among other duties," reflecting ongoing efforts to manage bear-human interactions in the area.
This incident in Pyramiden on the Svalbard archipelago highlights the complex challenges faced by Arctic communities living in close proximity to wildlife adapted to extreme conditions.
Source: Noah Wire Services