In a rare and devastating event, an employee working at a remote radar station on Brevoort Island, Nunavut, Canada, was killed by two polar bears on Thursday, August 8, 2024.
The incident occurred in one of the most isolated and uninhabited regions of northeastern Canada, where the victim was stationed as part of a team maintaining the radar facilities operated by Nasittuq Corporation on behalf of the Canadian government.
The victim, whose identity has not been released, was attacked while on duty. Despite the immediate response from colleagues, who managed to kill one of the bears, the worker succumbed to injuries sustained in the mauling.
In a statement, Nasittuq Corporation expressed its sorrow and support for those affected by the tragedy: “An attack by two polar bears has resulted in the loss of one of our valued employees. Nasittuq employees responded to the scene and one of the animals was put down. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and colleagues affected by this loss.”
The company emphasized that the safety and well-being of its employees are of the utmost priority and confirmed that they are cooperating with authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Polar bear attacks on humans are extremely rare, with only 73 documented incidents between 1870 and 2014, resulting in 20 fatalities worldwide. However, these incidents are becoming more frequent due to the increasing effects of climate change on the Arctic environment. The melting of sea ice, a critical habitat for polar bears, has forced these predators to spend more time on land, often bringing them into closer contact with human populations. This situation poses a significant risk not only to the bears but also to those living or working in the Arctic region.
According to a study published in the “Wildlife Society Bulletin” in 2017, nutritionally stressed polar bears, particularly adult males in poor body condition, are more likely to pose threats to human safety. The study further warns, “Increased concern for both human and bear safety is warranted in light of predictions of increased numbers of nutritionally stressed bears spending longer amounts of time on land near people because of the loss of their sea ice habitat.”
The attack on Brevoort Island is the second fatal polar bear encounter reported since 2023. Earlier, in January of that year, a mother and her son were killed by a polar bear in the remote village of Wales, Alaska. Experts have linked these attacks to the deteriorating condition of polar bear habitats, which is exacerbated by global warming. As the sea ice continues to recede, polar bears are forced to travel further inland in search of food, increasing the likelihood of dangerous encounters with humans.
Nasittuq Corporation, which operates numerous radar sites across Canada’s Arctic region, has been providing counseling services to its employees following the incident. The company remains committed to ensuring that all necessary precautions are taken to protect its workers from the dangers posed by the harsh Arctic environment. However, the challenges are considerable, as the region’s remoteness and the unpredictability of wildlife make complete safety difficult to guarantee.
The tragic event on Brevoort Island has reignited discussions about the need for improved safety measures for those working in polar bear country. While some communities have implemented bear patrols and other deterrent strategies, the isolation of many radar stations makes such measures more challenging to implement. As climate change continues to reshape the Arctic, these discussions will likely become increasingly urgent.
The World Wildlife Fund and other conservation organizations have emphasized the importance of addressing climate change to protect both human and bear populations. While polar bears are currently classified as vulnerable, the loss of their sea ice habitat threatens their survival, and by extension, the safety of those who share their environment.
