A rare polar bear was shot dead by Icelandic police after being deemed a threat in the northwest village of Westfjords. The incident occurred when the bear, which had wandered from Greenland on an ice floe, was seen near a cottage. The Environment Agency advised against relocating the animal, leading authorities to take lethal action. Police Chief Helgi Jensson stated the bear was dangerously close to a summer house occupied by an elderly woman who contacted her daughter for help.
Polar bears are not native to Iceland but occasionally arrive via icebergs, especially along the north coast. The last sighting before this was in 2016, and there have only been 600 in total since the 9th century. Anna Sveinsdóttir of the Icelandic Institute of Natural History mentioned that the bears can pose serious risks to humans and livestock. Following a 2008 incident involving two such bears, a task force concluded that killing vagrant bears is often the most appropriate response due to safety concerns and high costs of relocation.
The young bear, weighing between 300 and 400 pounds, was examined by scientists for parasites, infections, and overall health. Its remains, including the pelt and skull, may be preserved for scientific purposes. A Coast Guard helicopter conducted a survey of the area to ensure no other polar bears were present. After the incident, the woman who reported the bear decided to extend her stay in the village. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)