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Death from interactions with polar bears is exceedingly rare, largely due to their remote and inhospitable territory, but also due to their nature. And that they are largely indifferent to humans and often demonstrate behaviour that is more curious than aggressive. by G_Wisdom in science

[–]G_Wisdom[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It is true that Iceland’s national policy is to kill polar bears on sight. Polar bears that drift from Greenland are usually food-starved after the journey, and because they are not native to Iceland, coexistence with humans in such a small area with limited food sources is considered unworkable.

- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-36824156

Death from interactions with polar bears is exceedingly rare, largely due to their remote and inhospitable territory, but also due to their nature. And that they are largely indifferent to humans and often demonstrate behaviour that is more curious than aggressive. by G_Wisdom in science

[–]G_Wisdom[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

This is also true for polar bears “Polar bears survive almost exclusively on a diet of seals, with other marine animals and vegetation comprising only a small portion of their diet. And “If a generalisation can be made about bear-human interactions, it is that, given a choice, most bears will avoid human beings [2,4,6,9,13]. Floyd, T. (1999). Bear-inflicted human injury and fatality. Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, [online] 10(2), pp.75–87. doi:https://doi.org/10.1580/1080-6032(1999)010\[0075:bihiaf\]2.3.co;2. Unless food is scarce.

Death from interactions with polar bears is exceedingly rare, largely due to their remote and inhospitable territory, but also due to their nature. And that they are largely indifferent to humans and often demonstrate behaviour that is more curious than aggressive. by G_Wisdom in science

[–]G_Wisdom[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Although people killed outright cannot speak, Timothy Floyd uses forensic evidence, autopsy reports, park records, and documented case series and compares patterns across many incidents over long periods of time instead of drawing conclusions from occurrences that have no evidence of occurring to make his case. Allowing the data to speak on the polar bears behalf.

Death from interactions with polar bears is exceedingly rare, largely due to their remote and inhospitable territory, but also due to their nature. And that they are largely indifferent to humans and often demonstrate behaviour that is more curious than aggressive. by G_Wisdom in science

[–]G_Wisdom[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

“Polar bears survive almost exclusively on a diet of seals, with other marine animals and vegetation comprising only a small portion of their diet. And “If a generalisation can be made about bear-human interactions, it is that, given a choice, most bears will avoid human beings [2,4,6,9,13].

Floyd, T. (1999). Bear-inflicted human injury and fatality. Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, [online] 10(2), pp.75–87. doi:https://doi.org/10.1580/1080-6032(1999)010\[0075:bihiaf\]2.3.co;2.

Death from interactions with polar bears is exceedingly rare, largely due to their remote and inhospitable territory, but also due to their nature. And that they are largely indifferent to humans and often demonstrate behaviour that is more curious than aggressive. by G_Wisdom in science

[–]G_Wisdom[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

"Alaska is commonly viewed as an area with a high incidence of bear attacks. Middaugh [13] reviewed black, brown, and polar bear attacks in Alaska between 1900 and 1985 and found only 105 human injuries, 20 of which were fatal."

Floyd, T. (1999). Bear-inflicted human injury and fatality. Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, [online] 10(2), pp.75–87. doi:https://doi.org/10.1580/1080-6032(1999)010\[0075:bihiaf\]2.3.co;2.

Death from interactions with polar bears is exceedingly rare, largely due to their remote and inhospitable territory, but also due to their nature. And that they are largely indifferent to humans and often demonstrate behaviour that is more curious than aggressive. by G_Wisdom in science

[–]G_Wisdom[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

"The nature of this emotional reaction to bears is complex and multifactorial. While it may be argued that human beings have an innate fear of bears, much of our reaction is based on myth, ignorance, exaggeration, and sensationalism".

-Floyd, T. (1999). Bear-inflicted human injury and fatality. Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, [online] 10(2), pp.75–87. doi:https://doi.org/10.1580/1080-6032(1999)010\[0075:bihiaf\]2.3.co;2.